Geology at Western Carolina University


	Contact the Geology program	Department of Geosciences and Natural Resources Management Home	Western Carolina University Home

Photo Gallery of geology majors and field trips Link to geology major blog	Explore the Earth and Environment
"Geoscientist" was on the Yahoo! Top 25 jobs list for 2005 WCU Geology Program: Degree Requirements B.S. Geology B.S. Science Education Geology Minor Course Descriptions People: Faculty Students and Alumni Become a Geology Major! Slideshow about the Geology major Careers in Geology Student Experiences (Photo gallery) Geology Links: - Cullowhee Creek Environmental Field Station (restoration project) - More geology links WCU sites: For prospective students Geology Journals Writing & Math Tutoring Base Camp Cullowhee Calendars	Geology at Western Carolina University Geology is an interdisciplinary, field-based science that studies topics ranging from the origin of mountain belts like the Appalachians to the environmental impacts of people on stream and groundwater hydrology. At Western, we believe students learn by doing ... and we have a great place to learn! Located in the heart of the Southern Appalachian Mountains, Western can offer you geologic field experiences that only a handful of other universities in the country can. On and near our campus you can learn about flooding, wetlands, stream restoration, landslides, plate tectonics, groundwater, and 600 million-year-old rocks. Our students have also studied geology in places ranging from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Florida to Nevada to Honduras. Scenic western North Carolina is a melange of fragments of other continents. Many of the local rocks cooled from magma and underwent deformation when an ancient arc of volcanoes (perhaps similar to Japan today) collided with North America somewhere between 450 and 500 million years ago. Start a Rewarding Career! The job outlook for geologists is good and reflects increasing career opportunities in environmental geology and hydrogeology. Drawing on their education and special experiences at Western, our graduates have great success in obtaining professional employment and entry into graduate school. You belong outdoors! Ask our majors why they picked geology and most of them will tell you that the walls simply couldn’t contain them. Geologists start out as hikers, bikers, and fishers, but our fascination with the environment and the earth underfoot isn't satisfied by our hobbies alone. If your interests lie outdoors, you just might belong here!	Geology students measuring flow velocity in Cullowhee Creek. Students on a field trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.