Program Overview
Environmental Geoscience
Study Earth's systems through fieldwork, research, and interdisciplinary science while preparing to solve today's environmental challenges.
Research from Day One
Begin conducting research early and build toward an original Independent Study.
Field-Based Learning
Study Earth systems through fieldwork in Ohio and research experiences across the United States and around the world.
Advanced Research Facilities
Work with professional laboratory equipment while investigating environmental questions.
Why study Environmental Geoscience at Wooster?
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Combine earth science with environmental science to address complex environmental challenges.
Begin research early through close faculty mentorship and hands-on laboratory and field experiences.
Conduct fieldwork throughout Ohio and participate in summer research across North America and internationally.
Complete an original Independent Study that contributes new knowledge to the geosciences.
Learn in specialized facilities including the Wooster Tree Ring Lab, X-ray analytical laboratories, paleontology collections, and sedimentology laboratories.
Explore Earth Science Through Research
From tree-ring analysis and fossil preparation to environmental chemistry and sedimentology, Environmental Geoscience students use Wooster’s professional research facilities to investigate Earth's past, understand today's environmental systems, and prepare for careers and graduate study.
Unlock Earth's climate history in Wooster’s Tree Ring Lab.
Analyze tree rings to reconstruct past climates, investigate drought patterns, and contribute to research that helps scientists better understand long-term environmental change.
Discover what rocks and minerals reveal in the X-Ray Analysis Laboratory
Analyze tree rings to reconstruct past climates, investigate drought patterns, and contribute to research that helps scientists better understand long-term environmental change.
Study life through deep time in the Paleontology Laboratory
Prepare and analyze fossils using professional imaging equipment while exploring ancient ecosystems, evolutionary change, and the history recorded in Earth's rocks.
Read the stories written in stone in the Sedimentology Laboratory
Examine rocks, sediments, and ancient environments using field observations, microscopes, and laboratory analysis to better understand how landscapes and Earth's surface have changed over millions of years.
Explore Earth's dynamic systems.
Environmental Geoscience majors complete a strong scientific foundation before pursuing advanced coursework that emphasizes Earth surface processes, environmental systems, and interdisciplinary approaches to solving environmental problems.
Students gain experience through:
- Field investigations
- Laboratory research
- Advanced geoscience coursework
- Junior and Senior Independent Study
- Summer research and internship opportunities
Many students conduct research at locations throughout the United States—including Alaska, California, Oregon, Utah, and Washington—as well as internationally in places such as Iceland, Belize, Mongolia, Cyprus, and the Bahamas. Others collaborate with researchers at institutions including The Ohio State University, UNC Chapel Hill, UMass Amherst, and the American Museum of Natural History.
Students interested in complementing another major may also pursue the Earth Sciences Minor, a six-course program introducing both geology and environmental geoscience.
Ready to Study the Earth?
Whether you're interested in climate science, water resources, environmental consulting, conservation, or graduate research, Environmental Geoscience prepares you to understand Earth's systems and help solve tomorrow's environmental challenges.
Career Opportunities
Wooster graduates have built careers protecting natural resources and improving environmental health through roles such as:
- Environmental geoscientists
- Environmental consultants
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS) specialists
- Climate and environmental policy advisors
- Natural resource managers
- Environmental remediation professionals
- Outdoor and environmental educators
- Government scientists
- Nonprofit environmental leaders
Many graduates also continue to graduate and professional programs in earth sciences, environmental science, law, public policy, and related fields.
