Interim Dean - Mary Jo Richardson, A.B.,
Ph.D.
Interim Executive Associate Dean and
Associate Dean for Research - Luis A. Cifuentes, B.A., M.S., Ph.D.
Acting Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
- Vatche P. Tchakerian, B.A., M.A., Ph.D.
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.
Students in the College of Geosciences may elect to
have two major fields of study within the College, or
they may elect to have a major in the College of Geosciences
in conjunction with a major in another college, with
the approval of both colleges involved, provided that
both majors lead to the same baccalaureate degree. A
student should be able to complete a double major for
the baccalaureate degree by adding a modest number of
credit hours more than required by a single major. The
following requirements must be met by the student: 1)
satisfy all University and college requirements, 2) successfully
complete departmental requirements in each major, if
both majors are in the College of Geosciences, and 3)
in cases where one major is in the College of Geosciences
and the other is in another college, the student must
successfully meet the major field of study requirements
for each area as determined by each college. Some departments
may not permit double majors.
Students may choose to complete a minor in the College
of Geosciences. All minors will require not less than
15 hours and not more than 18 hours in the discipline;
at least 6 hours must be upper-division courses in the
discipline. Each student choosing to complete a minor
must contact the department offering the minor to determine
if specific courses are required.
Curricula -- College of Geosciences
|
Earth Sciences
|
Geology
|
| Environmental Geoscience |
Geophysics |
| Environmental Studies |
Meteorology |
| Geography |
|
Honors Program
The College of Geosciences participates
in the University Honors Program, which is described in
detail here.
International and Cultural Diversity Requirement
Texas A&M University requires
its students to meet an International and Cultural Diversity
requirement as
part of the University's Core Curriculum. Meeting this
requirement will require the careful selection of courses.
The student is directed to the International
and Cultural Diversity table for detailed information regarding this
requirement and also is encouraged to seek the advice
of the student's academic advisor.
