In the Geoscience department at HWS, students are taught to monitor changes in the environment, to predict and evaluate how human activities may contribute to environmental change, and to manage the earth’s resources.
The study of geoscience provides students with a strong preparation for a variety of careers in government, industry and academia, including: environmental law, petroleum exploration, science teaching, science journalism, and research in geology, oceanography, climatology and meteorology.
Many students choose to double major in Geoscience and Environmental Studies.
If you'd like to view a full listing of our course options in Geoscience or any other subject, please visit the Online Course Catalogue.
Geoscience offers two disciplinary majors, a B.A. and a B.S., and a disciplinary minor.
disciplinary, 12 courses
GEO 170 and ENV 170; two courses from the “Fluid Earth” courses, two courses from the “Solid Earth” courses; two additional geoscience courses; CHEM 110; MATH 130; and two additional courses in geoscience, biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics or physics. Only two 100-level geoscience courses can count toward the B.A.
disciplinary, 15 courses
GEO 170 and ENV 170; two courses from the “Fluid Earth” courses;, two courses from the “Solid Earth” courses; three additional geoscience courses; CHEM 110; CHEM 280; MATH 130; MATH 131; PHYS 140 or PHYS 150; and one additional course in geoscience, biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics or physics. Only two 100-level geoscience courses can count toward the B.S.
disciplinary, 5 courses
Four geoscience courses where ENV 170 may substitute for a geoscience course; and one additional course in geoscience, biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics or physics. Only two 100-level geoscience courses can count toward the minor.
Discover the power of severe weather and the devastation and destruction it can cause for individuals, communities and society. Learn the fundamental aspects of the atmosphere and understand the characteristics and development of severe weather. Further develop your knowledge of weather by enrolling in CHEM 260 Environmental Chemistry, and explore the aspects of the chemistry of the environment while emphasizing human impact on the atmosphere.
Hydrology is the study of water at or near the surface of the Earth. Investigate the physical properties of water, the hydrologic cycle, water quality issues, and surface and groundwater processes. Enroll in ENV 170 The Fluid Earth, and use scientific quantitative reasoning to examine the characteristics and importance of water across environmental and geophysical sciences.
Examine the fossil record and attempt to answer questions such as: How do fossils contribute to understanding evolution? What can be learned about the Earth’s past climates and environments from fossils? How does form give clues to function? Then, enroll in ANTH 102 Archaeological Myth and Reality: World Prehistory, where you will replace myths of “killer apes” with archeological reality, establish a framework for transitions in cultural evolution, and investigate selected archeological puzzles.
