Geological Sciences

The Department of Geological Sciences offers an up-to-date curriculum designed to train students to be employable earth and environmental scientists. Most courses comprise both lecture and laboratory environments, where students have hands-on access to geological specimens and state-of-the-art analytical tools to study them. Opportunities for practical field experience exist throughout the curriculum, from 200 level to 400 level, and required coursework is capped by electives in specialized topics and a recommended four-week-long summertime field course that takes place in the western US.

Courses in the Department of Geological Sciences are focused on the latest concepts in Earth and environmental science with the goal of training the next generation. Introductory courses are typically in large lecture settings with an independent, smaller laboratory course. All remaining class sizes range from 20 to 50 students, most of which involve a hands-on laboratory component. Field trips occur commonly in laboratory periods and/or during weekends. The capstone course is a 4-week-long field-skills class that takes place in the western US in the early summer of students’ junior or senior years. Many geology students have opportunities to work in a hands-on research environment supervised by faculty and graduate students.

Upon successful completion of all requirements, the student will have knowledge of:

• Understanding basic scientific principles and concepts, including the importance of geology in society, geologic time, and geologic history, as well as rudiments of mathematics, chemistry, physics and statistics with applications to geology
• Laboratory and field practice in identifying minerals, rocks, soils, structures, stratigraphy and fossils, and using best practices to design and implement tests using modern methods and techniques
• Developing approaches for collection and analysis of information
• Critical thinking, hypothesis formulation and testing; i.e., demonstrating use of the scientific method independently and collaboratively, with hypothesis formulation, testing, analysis, interpretation and evaluation of observations
• Demonstrating skill in scientific communication — oral, written and technological
• Graduates will have the depth of knowledge and skill to interpret and create geologic products

Admission to UB is highly competitive. For the 2016 incoming freshman class, UB reported an average ACT score of 24-30 and an average SAT (CR+M) score of 1100-1300. 90 percent of admitted students are in the top 50 percent of their class.

Admission to UB is based on a holistic review. We consider high school average, class rank, SAT (critical reading and math) or ACT scores, and strength of the high school academic record. A personal essay, recommendations, documented creative talent, demonstrated leadership, community service and special circumstances are also considered.

The following is not required for admission, but is suggested as adequate preparation for university-level coursework:

• Four years of English (with a substantial writing component)
• Four years of social studies
• Three years of college-preparatory science
• Three years of a second language
• Three years of college-preparatory mathematics

UB requires a minimum TOEFL score of 79 (Internet-based) or 550 (paper-based) in order to be considered for admission. Students scoring between 70 and 78 or 523 and 547 on the TOEFL may be admitted to the university on the condition that they register for and successfully complete additional English courses in their first semester.

The Department of Geology has two funds for awards to graduating seniors, one fund that gives a scholarship to a continuing geology student, and another that makes multiple awards to students attending our summer field course (GLY 407). In addition, there is a fund to which student may apply for partial support to attend conferences, workshops and short courses.