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Earth Sciences

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College of Earth, Ocean and Environment

Department of Earth Sciences

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Discover our world!

By studying the earth sciences, you will study the planet, the processes that change our landscapes, the history of life and the interactions between environment and society. You will gain the practical and in-demand skills to collect scientific data, inform policy decisions and study the environmental impacts of things like fracking, oil and natural gas extraction, renewable resources, climate change, and more. Earth science graduates are in high demand with starting salaries ranging from $50,000 to $100,000 annually.

AREAS OF STUDY

Earth History and Paleontology
Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology
Coastal, River, and Glacial Processes
Earth Materials and Geochemistry
Plate Tectonics
Climate Change

CAREER OPTIONS

Geoscientist
Hydrogeologist
Environmental Consultant
Exploration Geologist
Science Educator
Paleontologist
Disaster Scientist

GRADUATE PROGRAMS

Geoscience
Oceanography
Geophysics
Environmental Science
Soil Science
Science Education
Environmental Law

What’s special about this program?

Earth science students will learn about the Earth in small classes, in labs, and numerous field trips, with faculty interaction and a well-developed sense of community. You are encouraged to participate in research with faculty in areas such as hydrogeology, geobiology, water science, geochemistry, and paleoclimate. You will also have many opportunities for field courses in places of geologic significance. Recent trips have been to Death Valley and the Grand Canyon! You may also be able to benefit from the Delaware Geological Survey, a science-based state agency based at UD that conducts geologic and hydrologic research, service and exploration.

Get Involved

All students who come to UD in one of the majors in the College of Earth, Ocean and Environment start in CEOE’s Living Learning Community, a dormitory where you will live with your peers and enjoy special academic and social programming, fostering a successful college experience from the day you move in. There are also many opportunities on campus for students interested in the environment, such as serving as an EnvironMentor, going on extracurricular environmental field trips, and joining registered student organizations like Students for the Environment and the Geology Club.

Sample curriculum

FRESHMAN

CHEM103

General Chemistry

ENGL110

Seminar in Composition

GEOL107

General Geology

GEOL110

Earth History

MATH241

Analytic Geometry and Calculus A

MATH242

Analytic Geometry and Calculus B

UNIV101

First Year Experience

Creative Arts and Humanities Elective

Foreign Language Course

SOPHOMORE

BISC207	Introductory Biology I
GEOL202	Earth Materials
GEOL203	Surficial Processes
GEOL467	Spring Break Field Trip
PHYS201	Introductory Physics I
	Creative Arts and Humanities Elective
	History and Cultural Change Elective
	Social and Behavioral Sciences Elective

JUNIOR

GEOL304	Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
GEOL305	Structural Geology and Plate Tectonics
GEOL306	Field Geology
GEOL4XX	Geology Elective
GEOL467	Spring Break Field Trip
	Introductory Physics II or Introductory Biology II or Chemistry II
	Social and Behavioral Sciences Elective
	Quantitative Elective 1
	Elective Course