What is GEOSCIENCE?
What do GEOSCIENTISTS DO?
Geoscience is the true "science of the environment"

• I. Common Questions About Geology and the Earth Sciences:
  
  What are the Geosciences? – Geoscience is truly the study of the environment in all its aspects! Studies focused on the atmosphere, hydrosphere (water), soil and lithosphere (rock), and their interactions with the biosphere (living things) and with each other, the history of the earth, and the wise use of its natural resources.
  
  What do Geoscientists do? – They study, work and teach in all the environments of the earth, including the highest mountains and the deepest oceans. Geoscience is the only true interdisciplinary environmental science.
  
  What kind of jobs can I get? - You name it! The market for geoscientists is only going to expand, and the demand for earth science and environmental science teachers is huge.
  
  • field scientist
  • naturalist
  • 7-12 teacher (NYS certification)
  • hydrologist
  • paleontologist
  • oil and gas specialist
  • land-use planner
  • environmental scientist
  • hydrogeologist
  • corporate educator
  • environmental consultant
  • college professor
  • government specialist (DEC, EPA, USGS)
  • natural resources specialist
  • water resources planner and watershed specialist
    

• II. Degree Programs Offered:
  • BS in Geology: GLY
  • BS in Geology – Environmental Science Concentration: GLY/ENVS
  • BS in Geology – Water Resources Concentration: GLY/WRES
  • BS in Geology-Adolescence Earth Science Education: AES
    (NYS Grades 7-12 teaching certification).
    
    
• III. Research Opportunities for Students (Students have worked in these sites!)
  • Adirondacks of NY (Wetlands and Watersheds, Water Quality)
  • Catskills of NY (Wetlands and Watersheds, Water Quality, Reservoir Studies)
  • Alaska (Tree Ring Analysis of Ancient and Present Glaciers)
  • Tibet (River Chemistry and Isotope Signatures)
  • British Columbia (Fossil Assemblages and Paleontology)
  • IV. Internship Opportunities for Students:
  • NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
  • United States Geological Survey
  • Adirondack Ecological Center
  • NYC Department of Environmental Protection
  • Cortland County Soil and Water Conservation Districts
  • Tunison Fish Laboratories
  • Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
  • Adirondack Park Agency
    
    
• VI. Earth Science Teaching (NYS Certification):
  Graduates of our Adolescence Earth Science Education program have recently received three to four job offers each to teach in middle and high schools in NY and many other states. There is a great need for teachers with this certification and it is considered the most desirable certification area in the sciences! Combined with chemistry, math or biology, a teaching job is nearly a certainty! We train Scientists, who can teach, unlike other institutions who train educators, who happen to have an interest in Science!
  
  
• VII. What Makes SUNY Cortland’s Geology Department Special?
  
  Three Things!
  
  1.Our Faculty! Rated as some of the best teachers at the college as evidenced by Distinguished Teaching Awards and consistent highest ratings from student evaluations! Also, some of the most active research scientists at the college. In the past four years, Geology Department Faculty have brought in over $400,000 in grants to the College. Students work with faculty on these grants!
  
  2.Field Work! (You get to work outdoors!) Nearly every course has a field experience where students work outside, in the environment studying the air, water, soil and rocks. Students actively work in the field in the summer with faculty on their research projects. Also, we have our own Field Station, the Brauer Memorial Field Station, near Albany, for courses and weekend outings! It has a kitchen and facilities to sleep up to 40 people!
  
  3.Graduate School Opportunities! With a degree from the Geology Department, the student can apply to and obtain admission and scholarships to most graduate Masters and Doctoral degree programs in Geology and many other sciences in the United States (environmental science, geological engineering, environmental engineering, environmental education, biology). Most of our graduates receive at least a master’s degree within ten years of graduating from Cortland. In addition, our faculty are active research scientists who can make many connections for students with scientists at major research universities around the United States and the World!