Bachelor of Science [B.S] [Geology] From Hope College

Traditionally, the training of geologists has included a large amount of field experience. Hope College is ideally situated to study glacial geology, sedimentology, geomorphology, limnology and environmental issues.?

To broaden the spectrum of field experience, students commonly take longer trips to examine the geology of other areas such as the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, and the Ohio River Valley in Indiana and Kentucky. In addition to these trips, each year the regional geology field trip gives students the opportunity to visit and investigate the geology of a North American region. In the past, regional field trips have gone to the Colorado Plateau; Big Bend, Texas; Death Valley, California; Southern Arizona; New Mexico; and the Bahamas.?

The study of the Earth is eclectic so geologists must be competent in the other natural sciences and in mathematics. Accordingly, we encourage strong minors in other sciences and composite majors with chemistry and physics.

The Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences has an established reputation of excellence. Many graduating seniors have gone directly to work in environmental consulting firms, mineral resource companies, or the energy industry, while others have been accepted at some of the most prestigious graduate programs in the country, including the California Institute of Technology, University of Chicago, Harvard, Stanford, Princeton and various Big Ten universities.

Students receiving a Bachelor of Science degree are also required to work on an independent research project with a faculty mentor.