Geology

From our planet’s formation to its future climate, from its core to the edge of the atmosphere, the entire Earth is our field area.

Department Highlights

The Major

Students work with minerals, rocks, fossils and water; learn scientific methods of data collection and analysis; and apply quantitative reasoning, observations and deductions.

Learn more

Geology In the Field

Direct exposure to earth materials through field work is an integral part of studying Geology at Amherst.

Learn more

Research

Students participate in research in courses or during the summer, with faculty or independently—in the field, on campus or via internships.

Learn more

Beneski Museum of Natural History

One of New England’s largest natural history museums, the Beneski is a learning resource for geology students.

Learn more

An Intellectual Community

Learning and investigating the Earth together, students and faculty work on a first-name basis and form an effective scientific team.

Summer research opportunities

After Amherst

Amherst Geology majors develop critical thinking skills that help them succeed in any career they choose.

Alumni Directory

Our courses explore the science of the Earth—its physical makeup, its history and how it works. Geology at Amherst is not confined to classrooms and labs: field trips take students from the mountains to the beach.

Geology Courses

Current Courses

GEOL 104

Geology of the American West

Description

Participants in this course will be introduced to fundamental concepts in earth science: rock types and their origins; plate tectonics and crustal dynamics; weathering, glaciation and the carving of landscapes.

GEOL 112

Surficial Earth Dynamics

Description

This course looks at Earth’s climate and its surface environment from a geologist’s perspective. We will develop an understanding of the atmospheric, oceanographic, geological, and biological systems that interact to modulate the climate.

GEOL 351

Telling Time in the Apennines

Description

Students will study the tectonic evolution of the Apennines and the geologic history of the Umbria-Marche Basin in order to prepare for spring break field work in the Apennines, Italy.

Summer Research Opportunities

There are abundant opportunities for students to do research with faculty in our department. These opportunities provide invaluable experience doing laboratory and field geology research.

Geology Research

Meet Our Faculty

Our faculty are experts in Earth Science fields that range from climate change to plate tectonics, Earth history, geochemistry, water quality, the terroir of wine, paleoceanography and more. They bring students on research trips worldwide, from the Connecticut River Valley to the Rocky Mountains to Greece, Iceland and Hawaii. Meet the entire department.