College of Geosciences
General Statement
Planet Earth is our home. We humans live on the land which occupies 29 percent of the earth’s surface. The remainder of the globe is covered by the oceans. An envelope of air surrounds the earth. These realms—the lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere—form the environment for life on this planet.
The study of these realms and their interactions with each other, the biosphere and with humans, comprise the geosciences—atmospheric science, geography, geology and geophysics, and oceanography. The College of Geosciences has four academic departments corresponding to these disciplines.
Geography involves humans’ interactions with the environments—physical, biological and cultural. As an interdisciplinary field, it requires knowledge from the other geosciences as well as from the social and biological sciences. Geology deals with the processes and forces acting at the surface and within the earth; with the materials of the earth, its forms and structures; and with the history of its development and the evolution of life on its surface and in its waters. Geophysics deals primarily with the physics of the solid earth from the measurement and understanding of its internal structure and physical properties, plate motions and their effect on continents and ocean basins, to the detection of its natural resources through remote sensing. Atmospheric Sciences are the sciences of the atmosphere, weather and climate which are so important to human activities and life on this planet. Oceanography is the study of the marine environment and its inhabitants. The distribution and nature of marine life, the development of ocean basins, the chemistry of ocean waters and the dynamics of the water masses of the sea are the major elements of oceanography. Degrees in oceanography are available only at the graduate level. Each of the other three departments offer B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees, as well as a B.A. degree offered by the Department of Geology and Geophysics. The College offers two interdisciplinary B.S. degrees, Environmental Geoscience and Environmental Studies. A non-thesis Master of Geoscience degree is also offered.
The geosciences faculty participates in research on a broad front of both basic and applied subjects. The College of Geosciences is the Science Operator for the international Ocean Drilling Program, which explores the structure and history of sediments and crust beneath the sea floor. The college contributes scientific leadership to the Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research and the International and U.S. Global Ocean Observing System Steering Committees, participates in the programs of the Texas Institute of Oceanography, and is home to the Texas Sea Grant Program. Other research programs in the college include atmospheric chemistry, Texas Center for Climate Studies, Climate System Research Program, Synoptic/Mesoscale Meteorology, Geochemical and Environmental Research, Tectonophysics, Paleoecology, Petroleum Reservoir Studies and all phases of Oceanography. Research faculty participate in both undergraduate and graduate teaching. Consequently, the faculty bring to their classes the excitement of discovery, state-of-the-art scientific equipment, a knowledge of useful applications to human problems and good working relations with industry and government, all of which can help the undergraduate prepare for a rewarding career.
Career opportunities for graduates in the geosciences are expanding—in industry, commerce, education and government at all levels. Geoscience professionals search for energy resources, minerals and water, predict natural hazards, contribute to land use management, as well as teach about Planet Earth in high schools, colleges and universities.