Bachelor [Environmental Geology] From Allegheny College

Geology is the study of the Earth?the materials that make it up, the processes that shape it, the record of ancient and modern environments, and the history of the planet and its life forms since its origin. Like other sciences, geology is based upon observation and problem solving. Unlike most sciences, however, it is an outdoor science with the Earth as its laboratory. It is also an interdisciplinary science, utilizing principles of physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics to unravel the mysteries of Earth and other planets. By studying geology, you develop an understanding of earth processes; an understanding of the interactions between the solid earth (lithosphere), the hydrosphere, the atmosphere, and the biosphere; you also learn to appreciate the place and role of humanity living on the Earth today as well as within the context of geologic time.

Geology has both theoretical and applied aspects. The study of geology provides the knowledge needed to answer fundamental questions about how our planet works. In addition, the knowledge of the Earth gained through geology serves humanity by helping to better understand the past, manage the present, and predict the future. As stresses due to increased population and resource development have increased rapidly in the past few decades, so has the recognized need for geologists with a special understanding of how the Earth operates. Environmental geology is the application of geologic principles and knowledge to a wide spectrum of topics defined by possible interactions between humanity and the physical Earth. Geologic principles have been applied to problems of the environment since the birth of geology. Some topics studied within environmental geology are water resources and contamination; river flooding; groundwater; coastal processes; impact of climate change; hazards such as landslides, earthquakes, and volcanoes; energy and mineral resources; and land use.

The Environmental Geology major leads to a Bachelor of Science degree. At graduation, Geology majors are required to have a GPA of at least 2.0 in departmental courses and in those courses in other departments required for a Geology major. All required courses and electives taken at Allegheny on a letter-grade basis are included in the calculation, with the exception of repeated courses for which only the most recent grade counts. Majors need to secure the permission of the department chair to take required courses on a Credit/No Credit basis.