GEOSCIENCES, bachelor

Students who study geosciences at DePauw University understand geological features and processes that shape the Earth. Graduates of the geoscience program are  well-positioned  to seek  substantive solutions  to applied,  real-world  problems such as dwindling natural resources, disposal of dangerous waste products, destructive earthquakes, and hurricanes dramatic effects of global climate change.

Geoscientists study the Earth, including the materials that compose the planet, the processes that continuously change the planet, and Earth's evolution and life through time. Because these studies involve investigations of relationships between the lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere, the Geosciences are inherently interdisciplinary by nature and include chemistry, biology, and physics. Geoscientists also are addressing increasingly challenging problems that confront a growing human population as we begin the twenty-first century: dwindling water, mineral, and energy resources; earthquake prediction and natural hazard identification; human impacts on the environment at regional and global scales; and safe disposal of toxic and radioactive waste materials.

The Department of Geosciences' goal is to expose students to the complex interplay of Earth systems through active, hands-on learning. Therefore, a DePauw education in Geosciences goes far beyond the traditional classroom. Students work in modern laboratories with extensive mineral, rock, fossil, and map collections. They use computers to model complex systems and simulate geological processes. They receive training on emerging technological tools such as GPS (global positioning systems) and GIS (geographic information systems). They participate in field trips that take them to some of the best geological exposures in the world. Many students spend a summer working closely with faculty on important research problems using state-of-the-art instrumentation. These student-faculty collaborations commonly result in student presentations at national meetings and co-authored publications in refereed journals.

CAREER OPTIONS

Anthropologist/archaeologist, Atmospheric scientist, Civil engineer, Environmental engineer/consultant, Environmental scientist, Geological and petroleum technician, Geologist, Geochemist, Geophysicist, Hydrologist, Mining and geological engineer, National Park Service ranger, Natural science manager, Oceanographer, Paleontologist, Planetary geologist, Petroleum engineer/geologist, Renewable energy consultant, Seismologist, Volcanologist

DePauw is a place that attracts a specific kind of person. A person with many talents and the will to lead. A person who will find success in any role or discipline they seek. We promise small classes, innovative teaching, and an emphasis on free-thinking and dialogue. It's a promise that empowers students to impact the world even before they leave campus. Thirty per cent of DePauw students engage in real-world research with faculty members, and we encourage students to take on two or more internships during their time here. DePauw ranks in the top 10 for producing business executives and Fulbright Scholars. And 94 per cent of our students have a job or plan to attend a graduate, service, or fellowship program before graduation. That's what we call Uncommon Success.

DePauw is a fully residential liberal arts college, which means conversations spillover from the seminar table to the dining hall to the student lounge. Students embark on collaborative adventures with staff and faculty, local community members and alumni, and dorm-room peers, forming lifelong connections and impactful partnerships that often extend into their careers.

DePauw prepares you for a life of meaning and means; we enable you to join legions of alumni who are leaders the world needs. Extraordinary professors will teach you in small, exciting classes, live and study with peers whose diversity enriches the community, and supporting you as you pursue your academic and experiential passions.

DePauw University develops leaders the world needs through an uncommon commitment to the liberal arts.

DePauw's diverse and inclusive learning and living experience, distinctive in its rigorous intellectual engagement and its global and experiential learning opportunities, leads to a life of meaning and means. DePauw prepares graduates who support and create positive change in their communities and the world.