STEM Announces Enhanced Major in Applied Geology

After remaining largely unchanged for more then 30 years, the geology major at YSU is getting a major facelift- and a name change.

Upon surveying the needs and recommendations of geology employers, professional organizations and the American Geoscience Institute, it became clear that the existing program BS Geology was becoming a bit out of date. Aside from adding a Geographic Information Science course to the curriculum in 2013, the program has remained unchanged for decades. The program has been updated by adding core and elective courses that have been identified as the most desired experiences for successful employment and graduate school admissions. The enhanced major will offer the opportunity for students to earn a Bachelor of Science in Applied Geology.

The added core courses include two field courses and one data analysis course. New electives include: engineering geology, environmental geology and petroleum geology. The Geology program at YSU has amazing laboratory and field equipment and high caliber full-time and part-time faculty. The part-time faculty in particular bring the real-world professional experience that can have a big impact for students.

The new program has been met with excitement by the professional community. The name change also helps to distinguish YSU’s geology program from regional competing programs that are not changing with the times.

If you have an affinity for the great outdoors and nature, an applied geology major may be for you. Students who graduate from the program will find opportunities to travel to interesting locations around the world or stay close to home, employed in the areas of environmental geology, engineering geology, geophysics, forensic geology, mining geology, petroleum geology and sedimentology. Many students will still choose to pursue a graduate degree at any number of high-profile graduate programs around the country.

Read our other stories this month about the improved labs, upgraded lab equipment, and our foray into forensic science at a nearby body farm. For more information about the applied geology major, contact Dr. Jeff Dick at jcdick@ysu.edu