GEOSCIENCES

Today is the ideal time for you to choose a career as a geoscientist. If you have a solid high school background in the sciences and mathematics, if you like the outdoors and field studies, and if you are challenged by a rigorous program of classroom, laboratory and field courses, you should consider North Dakota State University's program in geosciences. Geoscientists are presently in demand for energy and mineral exploration, and for solving environmental problems.

Career Opportunities

Geologists who studied at NDSU are currently employed in such diverse fields as environmental geology, groundwater resources, education, community planning, cartography, solid-state geochemistry, engineering geology, petroleum and gas exploration, precious-metals mining and land reclamation.

The Department

The geosciences faculty and instructional staff are dedicated to providing the best possible undergraduate education. Faculty members have earned consistently high ratings for their teaching. They also are active in research and bring the benefits of their research activities to students. Many geoscience undergraduates find part-time employment in faculty research or as laboratory teaching assistants. Courses are taught by a variety of techniques including lectures, labs, active learning, report writing and applied field studies. Field studies have included Black Hills, Death Valley, Washington, Hawaii, Iceland and southern Italy. The department's excellent instructional facilities include computers, X-ray diffraction, petrographic microscopes, GPS and surveying equipment, and a continuously-upgraded collection of rocks, minerals, air photos and maps. Training in geographic information systems is provided through the Warren D. Kress Advanced Geography Laboratory. The Optical Dating and Dosimetry Laboratory is used to determine the depositional age of sediments, and the Quaternary Entomology Laboratory is used for studies of climate change.

 

A core of geology courses, along with training in mathematics, physics, chemistry, soils, geography, computer science and technical writing will prepare you to handle the diverse challenges encountered in your professional career.

High School Preparation

A solid background in English, mathematics (through trigonometry), biology, chemistry and physics is strongly recommended.

The Faculty and Staff

• A.C. Ashworth, Ph.D., University of Birmingham, England, 1969,
  Earth History, Paleontology, Paleoecology
• K. Lepper, Ph.D., Oklahoma State University, 2001,
  Glacial Geology, Hydrogeology, Geophysics
• A. Lewis, Ph.D., Boston University, 2005
  Glacial Geology, Paleoclimate
• P. Oduor, Ph.D., University of Missouri, Rolla, 2004,
  Geochemistry, Geographic Information Systems
• J.L. Rock, M.S., North Dakota State University, 2009
• B. Saini-Eidukat, Ph.D., University of Minnesota, 1991,
  Mineralogy, Petrology, Geochemistry
• D.P. Schwert, Ph.D., University of Waterloo, Canada, 1978,
  Structural Geology, Geomorphology, Environmental Geology

Sample Curriculum

Special Note
Students in the geosciences program are encouraged to use their elective credits in courses which will enhance their professional skills (i.e., foreign languages, geography, archaeology, soils, etc.). In addition, the Department of Geosciences offers elective courses in environmental geology, glacial geology, geochemistry, hydrogeology and geophysics.

This sample curriculum is not intended to serve as a curriculum guide for current students, but rather an example of course offerings for prospective students. For the curriculum requirements in effect at the time of entrance into a program, consult with an academic adviser or with the Office of Registration and Records.

Contact Information

Dr. Donald Schwert, Chair

Department of Geosciences
North Dakota State University
Stevens Hall 218
Dept #2745
PO Box 6050
Fargo, ND 58108-6050

Tel: (701) 231-8455 or
(701) 231-7087
Fax: (701) 231-7149
Email:Donald.Schwert@ndsu.edu
Web: www.ndsu.edu/geosci/

Office of Admission

North Dakota State University
Ceres 114
Dept 5230, PO Box 6050
Fargo, ND 58108-6050

Tel: (701) 231-8643
Fax: (701) 231-8802
Email: NDSU.Admission@ndsu.edu
Web: www.ndsu.edu/admission/

(09/12)