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.
Thinking of becoming a geosciences 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 5 percent from 2023 to 2033, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 2,200 openings for geoscientists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire."
"The latest employment projection data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Employment Projections dataset indicates that geoscience employment is expected to grow by 3.7% over the coming decade, increasing from 461,152 in 2024 to 478,091 jobs in 2034. Explore the data on the Expected Increase in Geoscience Jobs 2024-2034 page."
Grand Junction Gem and Mineral Club Event Information
All geosciences students are welcome and encouraged to attend the bimonthly GJGMC meetings, field trips, and other events, including the fall Gem and Mineral show.
Geosciences Applauds Generous Geo-Fundraiser
The Grand Junction Gem and Mineral Club is home to outstanding members of our geo-community and promotors of education. Every year the Gem Club hosts events, including the Annual Grand Junction Gem, Mineral, and Jewelry Show, which draws in people from all over the rock-hound world. The fall show attracts more than 1500 attendees. These folks bring their dollars and leave with gem and mineral treasures!
The Gem Club has been raising money for scholarships and awarding them to our CMU Geosciences students since 1980. Between 1980 and 2024, the Club has generously awarded more than $40,000 in scholarships!
The Gem Club is an important economic contributor to our local economy. Importantly, from a CMU Geosciences perspective, the club is also a very generous supporter of education of CMU students. All of us at CMU Geosciences thank the Gem Club for their generosity, strong ties to our university, and commitment to education of our Western Slope youth.
Grand Junction Geological Society: Monthly Speaker Information
All geosciences students are welcome and encouraged to attend the monthly GJGS events.
The Grand Junction Geological Society (GJGS) is community of geosciences professionals, students, and local people with multiple geo-interests. At its monthly meetings, the GJGS hosts guest speakers, including CMU Geosciences faculty and alumni, on hot topics in the geosciences.
For many years, the GJGS and its individual members have been dedicated supporters of the CMU Geosciences Program. Since 2012, the GJGS has awarded $18,250 in student scholarships, $2375 in student-speaker awards, and $6500 in other financial support to the Geosciences program. Each spring, the GJGS typically awards five, annual $750 field-camp scholarships to defray the cost of attending the summer course. The Society has also generously purchased and donated tents and other course materials for field-camp students. Individual GJGS members have established endowments that provide scholarships for CMU students, including the endowed Forrest Nelson scholarship, which was initiated in 2018 with a donation of $600,000 and will provide scholarships to CMU geosciences students for many years to come.
Each spring, the GJGS also runs the William Chenoweth Memorial Field Trip. Members and CMU Geosciences faculty and students use this trip to meet and greet new outcrops and new folks in our geo-community here in Grand Valley.
The GJGS is a very generous supporter of education of CMU Geosciences students. All of us at CMU Geosciences thank the GJGS for their generosity, strong ties to our Geosciences students, and commitment to their education and professional development.
CMU Geosciences News
FOSSIL ROCKS GEOLOGIST CONFIDENCE
When a curious freshman pre-business administration major Luke Travis picked up an unusual rock while exploring around Highline Lake State Park, he didn’t expect it to spark a friendly debate among geologists, paleontologists, and even the Colorado Mesa University president. Now, CMU Geosciences professors Dr. Julia McHugh and Dr. are part of the conversation, featured in a recent article by The Criterion.
“This rock makes us pause and think about the passage of geologic time,” said Dr. Aubin. “The mountains we see today were once the ocean floor.” Check out the full story to see how one rock is inspiring big questions about Earth’s ancient past.
The World Around Us
Check out this CMUnow podcast featuring CMU Associate 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.
Down to the Source: Geology Students Go Underground at West Elk Mine
In April, students from Dr. Larry Jones’ Geology of Colorado class at CMU Montrose stepped far beyond the classroom—nearly 1,500 feet underground—on a guided tour of the West Elk Coal Mine. The group got an inside look at an active coal operation and the complex geology that shapes it. Their guide? CMU Geosciences alumnus Cody Rapke (‘15), now Chief Geologist at the site. The experience gave students a rare, hands-on perspective into Colorado’s geologic forces and a powerful glimpse of where a CMU Geosciences degree can lead.