A wide range of traditional and cutting-edge research interests - from environmental and engineering geology to structural geology, economic geology, geophysics, petrology, stratigraphy and paleontology - are pursued by the faculty of The University of Akron Department of Geology and Environmental Science. Eight faculty members also direct approximately 20 graduate students and instruct 50 undergraduates.
A particular strength of the department is Terrestrial Records of environmental Change (TREC). TREC research covers such diverse but related topics as hydrogeology, paleoclimate reconstruction, climate change, glacial geology, modern siliciclastic and carbonate sedimentology, geomorphology and aqueous geochemistry. The Department recently acquired instrumentation for measuring environmental magnetism of Quaternary sediments and is pursuing funding for additional equipment to further augment this research. The Department is also developing a new area of leadership in earth science education and research.
Undergraduate ProgramsThe University of Akron offers both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology. Baccalaureate of Science programs include: Bachelor of Science in Geology, Bachelor of Science in Engineering Geology, and Bachelor of Science in Geophysics. The Department also began teaching one credit modules on timely topics of interest to the general public.
As an undergraduate geology major, you will take courses in physical, historical, and structural geology, petrography, paleontology, and mineralogy. Depending upon your major field of interest, additional coursework in a supporting science is encouraged. Your geology education extends beyond the classroom to locations across the country. Faculty members and students regularly travel throughout the United States in their scientific investigations. Summer Field Camp is conducted in South Dakota, Wyoming and Colorado each year and field trips are also taken during the school year to such places as Canada, the Bahamas, Kentucky, Colorado, Virginia and Missouri.
Masters Programs
The Department of Geology and Environmental Science also offers the degree of Master of Science in Geology. The Master of Science program has five areas of specialization: Geology, Earth Science, Geophysics, Engineering Geology and Environmental Geology. Areas of research include: hydrogeology, paleoclimate changes, glacial geology, modern siliciclastic and carbonate sedimentation, geomorphology, aqueous geochemistry, environmental geology, and engineering geology in addition to the traditional geologic areas of structural geology, economic geology, geophysics, petrology, stratigraphy and paleontology.
