Department of Geosciences
James R. Staub, Chairman
Human impact on Earth systems and reliance on Earth’s resources will increase as human population and economic production grows. These impacts are creating “global grand challenges”: complex, globally important problems that require an interdisciplinary approach. The most pressing grand challenges over the next decade will be resource scarcity/depletion (especially water and petroleum), adaption to and mitigation of climate change and natural hazards, and environmental stewardship of highly stressed physical and biological Earth systems. As University of Montana Geoscientists, we address these challenges in our research and teaching. We develop the knowledge to find and extract mineral and water resources, solve problems caused by using those resources and develop models of the past, present and future Earth. Faculty, staff, graduate students, and undergraduate students are helping Montana and the World develop a sustainable future.
Our Vision:
We will build and teach a fundamental understanding of Earth processes to benefit humankind and sustain Earth systems.
Our Goals:
1. Conduct geoscience research, including obtaining extramural funding to perform essential and transformative research.
2. Disseminate research findings by publishing in peer-reviewed journals and presenting at national and international scientific conferences.
3. Teach students how to learn from known sources of information and create new knowledge from their own research.
4. Engage all graduate students and selected undergraduates in research and publication.
5. Produce graduates competent in their disciplines who can perform well in field, laboratory and computational settings, and who are prepared to serve as high-quality professionals in geoscience and related fields.
6. Provide opportunities for students to work and learn in other countries through international research and learning opportunities.
7. Educate the general student population about the nature of science and basic scientific principles through the study of Earth and its natural systems.
8. Engage the public with important geoscience issues through outreach and community education.
UM Geosciences in the National Context
With B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees, UM Geosciences is one of 120 Ph.D. granting Geoscience departments in the United States. U.S. News & World Report ranks the UM Geosciences program with Universities like Florida State, Michigan Tech, University of Georgia, University of Pennsylvania, and University of South Carolina. We are ranked above schools like University of Idaho, University of Missouri, UNLV, and Notre Dame.
Employment
Geoscientists completing our program are employed by private industry, federal, state, and local governmental agencies, environmental consulting firms, non-profit organizations, and by schools needing Earth Science teachers. Jobs in geosciences are available at the B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. levels. The M.S. degree is considered the main working professional degree. The Ph.D. degree is required for positions at universities and with organizations specializing in research. However, there are ample opportunities for geoscience employment with the B.S. degree. Our graduates have a wide range of educational and employment opportunities. Over the last decade, 95% of our graduate program alumni are employed in Geosciences: 13% work for government, 23% for industry, 31% for consultancies and 2% for non-governmental organizations, 10% are teaching, and 17% went on for a Ph.D. UM Geosciences graduates have exceptional placement rates.
Undergraduate Degree Requirements
We offer three degree options/programs of study for the Bachelor of Science degree: Geosciences B.S., International Field Geosciences Joint B.S. with University of Cork (Ireland), and International Field Geosciences Dual B.S. with Potsdam University (Germany).
We also offer an Option in Earth Science Education (see electronic catalog for detailed curriculum and course descriptions for each of these options).
The Upper-division Writing Expectation must be met for all degree options by successfully completing an upper-division writing course from the approved list in the Academic Policies and Procedures section of this catalog or by completing GEO 499 (GEOS 499). See index.
Geosciences B.S.
This option is designed for students who seek post-graduate employment as a professional geoscientist or preparation for graduate study in geosciences. The following Geosciences core courses are required to earn this degree: GEO 101N (GEOS 100N), GEO 102N (GEOS 101N), GEO 211 (GEOS 200), GEO 225, GEO 228 (GEOS 228), and GEO 231 (GEOS 230).
At least 32 credits of Geosciences courses must be completed, including at least 6 courses of which a minimum of 18 are upper-division (300-400 level) credits.
In addition to completing the coursework in Geosciences, students must also complete a minimum of 30 credits in cognate sciences classes. Required are the following: PHSX 205N/206N-207N/208N or PHSX 215N/216N - 217N/218N (PHYS 111N/113N-112N/114N or PHYS 211N/213N-212N/214N); CHMY 141N/143N (CHEM 161N/162N); M 162/274 (MATH 150/158) or M 171/172 (MATH 152/153); plus 3 credits in Computer Science (modeling or programming).
Additional cognate science courses completed to meet the minimum sum of 30 credits may include additional courses in Chemistry, Computer Science, Math, and Physics above the listed minimum levels specified above. Biology 100N or above is also appropriate, but substitutions or other science courses must be approved by the student’s advisor.
International Field Geosciences Joint B.S. Degree with University College of Cork (Ireland)
This option is designed specifically for students who seek to combine a rigorous education in the Geosciences with a yearlong international geosciences experience and an emphasis on field-based learning. It requires attending classes and living overseas. Students demonstrating a high level of performance at the University will be eligible for partial financial support as funds are available. Although most of the course work completed during the year abroad will take place at University College Cork (UCC) in Ireland, additional course work is required through Potsdam University in Germany. For students who satisfy all degree requirements, a joint B.S. degree in International Field Geosciences will be awarded by The University of Montana and the University College Cork.
The following UM Geoscience courses are required to earn this degree: GEO 101N ; GEO 102N; GEO 211; GEO 225; GEO 228, GEO 231; GEO 315; GEO 442 or 443; and GEO 429. Also required are a minimum of 12 credits in upper division UM Geoscience courses selected from among the following: GEO 305, 310, 311, 320, 327, 420, 433, 442, 443, 460, 491 plus GRMN 101/102 or ENIR 101/102.
In addition to Geosciences coursework completed at UM, students must complete one formal field course run by the Institute of Earth and Environmental Science at Potsdam University to sites in and around Europe (arranged in consultation with advisor) plus one formal field course module run by University College Cork, selected from GL 2016 (Easter Field Course - Dingle Peninsula), GL3019 (Easter Field Course - Western Scotland), ER3002 (Easter Field Course - North Clare) GL4008 (Easter Field Course - Central Greece) or another equivalent-level field course run by UCC and approved a prior by their UCC and UM advisors. In addition, while in residence at Cork, students must complete any nine of the following courses in consultation with their UCC and UM advisors: Sed. processes and petrology; Igneous and MM Petrology; Invertebrate Paleontology & Evol.; Plate Tect. & Global Geophys.; Igneous petrogenesis & Geochem; Metamorphism & Geochronology; Advanced Structural Geology; Sedimentary Environments; Stratigraphy & Geologic Maps; Environmental Geology; Terr.l Ecosystems through time; Micropaleontology & Palynology; Petroleum Geol. & Basin Analysis; Appl. Geophys. & Comp Apps.; Advanced Igneous Petrology; Hydrogeology.
Students seeking this degree must also complete one additional formal upper-level Geosciences course at Potsdam University during their year abroad. Recommended are courses that focus on computer-based visualization of geoscience data, using GIS or other visualization platforms. Along with the formal Geoscience course work completed at UM and abroad, students earning this degree must complete a minimum of 27 credits in cognate sciences classes, including the following: PHSX 205N/206N-207N/208N or PHSX 215N/216N - 217N/218N; CHMY 121N/123N or CHMY 141N/143N; M 162/274 OR M 171/172; three credits in Computer Science (modeling or programming), or GIS or Statistics. Also required is one year of college German, GRMN 101/102 or one year of college-level Gaelic (ENIR/IRSH 101 and ENIR/IRSH 102) and completion of general education requirements relevant to German and Irish culture and history.
International Field Geosciences Dual Degree with Potsdam University (Germany)
This option is designed specifically for students who seek to combine a rigorous education in the Geosciences with a year-long international geosciences experience and an emphasis on field-based learning. It requires attending classes and living overseas. Students demonstrating a high level of performance at the University will be eligible for partial financial support as funds are available. Although most of the course work completed during the year abroad will take place at University Potsdam in Germany, additional course work is required at the University College Cork in Ireland. For students who satisfy all degree requirements, a B.S. degree in International Field Geosciences will be awarded by The University of Montana and a second B.S. degree in International Field Geosciences will be awarded by Potsdam University. The following UM Geoscience courses are required to earn this degree: GEO 101N ; GEO 102N ; GEO 211 ; GEO 225 ; GEO 228, GEO 231 ; GEO 326 ; and GEO 429 . Also required are a minimum of 15 credits in upper division UM Geoscience courses selected from among the following: GEO 305, 310, 311, 315, 320, 327, 420, 433, 438, 443, 437, 442, 460, 491 .
In addition to Geoscience coursework completed at UM, the following overseas field-based Geoscience courses are required: BP15 (Field course France, run by Potsdam) or BW01 (Field course-Norway, run by Potsdam) or BW02 (Field course-Alps, run by Potsdam); plus one of the following courses offered by University College Cork; GL 2016 (Easter Field Course-Dingle Peninsula), GL3019 (Easter Field Course-Western Scotland), ER3002 (Easter Field Course-North Clare), GL4008 (Easter Field Course-Central Greece) or another equivalent-level field course run by UCC and approved a priori by their Potsdam and UM advisors. Students seeking this degree must also complete any four of the following courses offered by Potsdam University: Regional Geology; Paleoclimate & Quaternary Geology; Analysis of Geologic maps; Analytic Geochemistry; Natural Hazards; Tectonophysics & Rheology; Seismology; Seismics; Geoelectrics; Sedimentary systems & stratigr. Geomorphology; Tectonics and geodynamics.
Along with the formal Geoscience course work, students earning this degree must complete a minimum of 27 credits in cognate sciences classes, including the following: PHSX 205N/206N-207N/208N or PHSX 215N/216N - 217N/218N; CHMY 121N/123N or CHMY 141N/143N; M 162/274 or M 171/172; three credits in Computer Science (modeling or programming), or GIS or Statistics. While overseas, the students must complete two additional cognate science courses at Potsdam University. Also required is one year of college German GRMN 101/102 and completion of general education requirements relevant to German and Irish culture and history.
Option in Earth Science Education
Major Teaching Field of Earth Science: A student must complete GEO 101N, 102N, 105N or 108N, 211, 228, 226, 231, 304, 311, 3 additional credits from any geosciences course numbered 300 or above. Also required are, ASTR 131N, M 151, STAT 216, CHMY 121N, CHMY 123N, 485, PHSX 205N/206N, PHSX 207N/208N and EDU 497. For endorsement to teach earth science, a student also must gain admission to the Teacher Education Program and meet the requirements for teaching licensure (see the College of Education section of this catalog). Students must complete the requirements for the required second teaching endorsement (major or minor). Students should develop their course of study with an Education advisor.
Suggested Course of Study
Students enter our degree program from a number of different directions. Yet, our general advising remains the same. Students should plan on starting their math and chemistry sequences as freshman and beginning the physics sequence as sophomores. The following is provided as a planning guideline for the B.S. Geosciences degree option and assumes adequate high-school preparation in mathematics, chemistry and physics. If more preparation is needed in those disciplines, the student should develop a course of study with a Geosciences Department advisor. Students pursuing either of the International Field Geosciences B.S. degree programs (IFG-dual or IFG-joint) should see the IFG advisor to develop a course of study that meets those requirements because they are substantially different than the Geosciences B.S. degree program.
Geosciences B.S.
|
First Year
|
A
|
S
|
|
CHMY 141N (CHEM 161N) College Chemistry I
|
5
|
- |
|
CHMY 143N (CHEM 162N) College Chemistry II
|
- |
5
|
|
M 171 (MATH 152) Calculus I
|
4
|
- |
|
M 172 (MATH 153) Calculus II
|
- |
4
|
|
GEO 101N/102N (GEOS 100N/101N) Intro to Physical Geology
|
4
|
- |
|
GEO 211 (GEOS 200) Earth History and Evolution
|
- |
2
|
|
General Education & WRIT 101 (ENEX 101) College Writing (as needed)
|
3
|
4
|
|
Total
|
16
|
15
|
|
Second Year
|
A
|
S
|
|
GEO 225 Earth Materials
|
4
|
-
|
|
GEO 228 (GEOS 228) Earth Surface Processes
|
- |
2
|
| GEO 231 (GEOS 230) Geosciences Field Methods |
- |
2 |
| PHSX 215 & 216 (PHYS211N/213N) Fundamentals of Physics with Calc I & Lab |
5 |
- |
| PHSX 217N/218N (PHYS 212N/214N) Fundamentals of Physics with Calc II & Lab II |
- |
5 |
|
Electives and General Education
|
6
|
6
|
|
Total
|
15
|
15
|
|
Third Year
|
A
|
S
|
|
GEO at 300 level or above
|
6/8
|
- |
|
GEO at 300 level or above
|
- |
6/8
|
|
GIS/Computer Science/Statistics
|
3/4
|
-
|
|
Electives and General Education
|
3/6
|
7/9
|
|
Total
|
15
|
15
|
|
Fourth Year
|
A
|
S
|
|
GEO at 300 level or above1
|
3/4
|
3/4
|
|
Upper Division Writing Course or Senior Thesis3 (GEO 320 or 499)
|
3
|
3
|
|
Additional cognate science or Independent Research2*
|
3/2
|
3/2
|
|
Electives and General Education
|
6
|
6
|
|
Total
|
15
|
15
|
1. A total of 30 additional science credits are required. See special degree requirements. 2. GEO 429 (6 cr), Field Geology can also be taken in the summer to meet upper division Geosciences course requirements. 3. A Senior Thesis must be approved and mentored by a Geosciences faculty member and should be started no later than the fall of the student’s senior year and completed by the end of spring semester.
Requirements for a Minor
To earn a minor in Geosciences the student must complete at least 18 credits in Geoscience courses. A typical sequence is, GEO 101N (or 105N or 108N), and GEO 102N, 211, 226, 228 and 231; plus 300-400 level Geoscience courses for a total of 18 credits or more. However, any sequence of Geoscience courses is acceptable with the consent of a Geoscience advisor. All courses must be taken for a traditional letter grade, and meet the minimum university grade requirements for major and minor course work (C-).
Courses
R- before the course description indicates the course may be repeated for credit to the maximum indicated after the R. Credits beyond this maximum do not count toward a degree.
Geology (GEO) - Course Descriptions
101N, 102N, 105N, 106N, 107N, 108N, 151, 191, 200, 207, 211, 225, 226, 228, 231, 291, 304E, 305, 309, 311, 315, 317, 320, 326, 327, 382, 391, 392, 398, 407, 408, 420, 421, 425, 426, 429, 433, 435, 436, 437, 438, 439, 442, 443, 451, 460, 469, 482, 488, 491, 492, 494, 498, 499, 502, 508, 522, 528, 531, 548, 560, 570, 572, 573, 575, 579, 580, 582, 583, 585, 587, 590, 595, 597, 599, 699
Faculty
Professors
Marc S. Hendrix, Ph.D., Stanford University, 1992
Nancy W. Hinman, Ph.D., University of California (San Diego), 1987
Johnnie N. Moore, Ph.D., University of California (Los Angeles), 1976
James W. Sears, Ph.D., Queen's University, 1979
Steven D. Sheriff, Ph.D., University of Wyoming, 1981
George D. Stanley, Ph.D., University of Kansas, 1977
James R. Staub, Ph.D., University of South Carolina, 1985
William W. Woessner, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin (Madison), 1978
Associate Professors
Julia A. Baldwin, Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2003
Rebecca O. Bendick, Ph.D., University of Colorado, Boulder, 2000
Joel T. Harper, Ph.D., University of Wyoming, 1997
Andrew C. Wilcox, Ph.D., Colorado State University, 2005
Assistant Professors
Marco P. Maneta, Ph.D., University of Extremadura (Spain), 2006
Emeritus Professors
David Alt, Ph.D., University of Texas, 1961
Donald W. Hyndman, Ph.D., University of California (Berkeley), 1964
Ian M. Lange, Ph.D., University of Washington, 1968
Raymond C. Murray, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, 1955
Graham R. Thompson, Ph.D., Case Western Reserve, 1971
John P. Wehrenberg, Ph.D., University of Illinois, 1956
Donald Winston, Ph.D., University of Texas, 1963
