Geological Sciences (BS, BA, Minor)

At Binghamton University the earth sciences program prepares students to understand and solve some of the most important problems on Earth. How will we provide for our future energy needs? What are the causes and effects of global warming? How do we clean up past and present instances of environmental pollution? What causes natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and floods, and how can we survive them? How can organisms survive under extreme conditions? Is there life on other planets?

The Department of Earth Sciences offers both BS and BA degrees in geology, several minors, and a combined, five-year BS/MS program in geological sciences.

The BS is designed to satisfy the entrance requirements and expectations of the top graduate schools in the country. The BS is also the appropriate choice for a student seeking immediate employment as a geologist.

The BA in geological sciences is designed as a more flexible degree and provides a well-rounded liberal arts education in the physical sciences. It is often combined with other interests, such as science journalism, education, or political science.

Internships, Research Opportunities, and More

Beyond coursework, our department offers ample opportunities to participate in research. Whether that be assisting a graduate student or professor in the laboratory or field setting, or conducting an independent study culminating in a senior thesis, students who participate in research tend to stand out among their peers on job and graduate school applications. While undergraduate research is not required, it is highly recommended and completion of such a project may qualify you for departmental honors upon graduation.

Current areas of research include:

• Watershed-scale soil and water pollution studies
• Effects of climate change, floods, and dams on rivers and their flood potential
• Paleoclimatology and paleoceanography
• Field and experimental petrology (the chemistry and physics of minerals and rocks)
• Basin-scale sedimentology and mountain building
• Sedimentology and stratigraphy along glaciated margins
• Remote sensing
• Seismology of convergence zones
• Geomicrobiology of extremophiles
• Microbes in salt crystals

Accelerated/4+1 Degrees

You may also be interested in our accelerated/4+1 degree programs which allow students to complete their bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in just 5 years!

Binghamton University, State University of New York (SUNY), is the #1 public university in New York. We are a mid-sized university of 18,000 undergraduate and graduate students, including over 1,500 international students from over 100 countries. Binghamton provides top tier education in six schools and 130+ academic programs, with several exclusive honors programs and world-class research opportunities for students in every major.

On campus, there’s always something to do, with 21 NCAA Division I teams and 450+ student-led clubs and organizations. Binghamton University is nestled in picturesque rolling hills just minutes from a vibrant downtown area where students can explore the arts, local restaurants, and professional sports. We are just a few hours from major urban centers such as New York City, Boston, and Toronto, and our award-winning career center connects students to opportunities around the country and around the world.

Binghamton offers countless resources to support students learning and excelling both within and outside of the classroom. Combined with an affordable price, Binghamton University consistently earns a best value ranking among US universities.