Thinking about becoming a geoscientist?
Geoscientists :
- Search for mineral and energy resources
- Recognize the economic and environmental impacts of resource extraction and use.
- Study natural hazards and environmental geoscience to clean up and reclaim land.
- Research watershed science to maintain and manage clean water sources.
- Investigate global climate change and oceanography
- Communicate cutting-edge geosciences research to our communities.
- Explore planetary geology to understand planets like Mars.
CMU Geosciences Video
Thinking about becoming a geology major? Check out our video!
Colorado Mesa University is situated in a geological paradise straddling the Rocky Mountains and the Colorado Plateau. Our program is very field oriented and includes field trips to places such as the rugged, glacially sculpted San Juan Mountains, the Colorado River, the world renowned Book Cliffs, Arches and Canyonlands, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, and the breathtaking formations of Colorado National Monument. Our location also provides Colorado Mesa students with some of the best recreational opportunities in the nation.
Geosciences Job Outlook
"Employment of geoscientists is projected to grow 7% from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations. The need for energy, environmental protection, and responsible land and resource management is projected to spur demand for geoscientists."
"As of December 2020, 91% of geoscience graduates who earned their degree between 2014-2018 were employed, while 75% of graduates from 2019 and 80% of graduates from 2020 reported the same. For geoscience graduates who earned their degree in 2020, 31% of bachelor's, 50% of master's, and 91% of doctorates had secured employment by December 2020."
CMU Geosciences News
Registering for Spring 2023 courses?
Check out some of our #cmugeosciences Instagram posts!
Interested in taking a Geosciences course for Essential Learning? We offer several courses, like:
- Geology of Colorado (GEOL 105)
- Introduction to Physical Geology (GEOL 111/111L and GEOL 113/113L)
- Oceanography (GEOL 104)
- Weather and Climate (GEOL 103)
Fall 2022 Geosciences Newsletter
FACULTY SPOTLIGHT: PROFESSOR MARISA BORAAS-CONNORS
What Marisa enjoys most about teaching intro-level classes is finding ways to reach non-majors and peak their interests in geosciences and the world around them.
"There isn’t really a typical day in this job which is part of why I enjoy it!"
The World Around Us
Check out this CMUnow podcast featuring CMU Assistant Professor of Geology Cassandra Fenton, PhD. Dr. Fenton explains why geosciences is so much more than just rocks and why the Grand Valley is like Disneyland for geologists.
November CMU Faculty Colloquium
Grand Junction Geological Society: Monthly Speaker Information
All geosciences students are welcome and encouraged to attend the monthly GJGS events.
Student Learning Outcomes
All CMU baccalaureate graduates are expected to demonstrate proficiency in critical thinking, communication fluency, quantitative fluency, and specialized knowledge/applied learning. In addition to these campus-wide student learning outcomes, graduates of this program will be able to:
- Articulate the fundamental knowledge base and ideas of the major fields of geoscience (specialized skills in geoscience)
- Collect and interpret geoscience field data (problem solving skills)
- Collect and interpret geoscience laboratory data (problem solving skills)
- Use technology (e.g. computer software) for evaluating quantitative geoscience data (technology skills)
- Write an effective report on a geoscience study (communication skills)
- Give an effective oral presentation on a geoscience study (communication skills)
- Understand and reflect on responsibilities surrounding local, national, and/or global Geoscience problems including those related to accessing field areas on public land. (personal & social responsibility)