Welcome to the Department of Geosciences at ETSU!
Welcome! We greatly appreciate your interest in the Geosciences!
Geoscience is not a single academic discipline. Instead, it represents a collection of inter-related subdisciplines centered on the physical earth, earth processes, and associated human interactions. Given this broad scope, employment opportunities are vast across an array of job fields. The Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates the geosciences employment market to grow by 5% over the next decade, which is a faster growth rate than the average of all employment areas. The current average salary for a person with a Geoscience Bachelor’s degree is approximately $90,000.00. It is an exciting time to be a geoscientist as graduate marketability will continue to be outstanding!
The Department of Geosciences administers a range of degree concentrations to foster the complete understanding of Earth processes. This greater understanding leads to improved quality of human life through increased environmental stewardship and better resource management. The Geoscience Bachelor of Science degree offers concentrations in Geography, Geology & Environment, Geospatial Science, and Paleontology. The department also offers a Master’s of Science degree with concentrations in Geospatial Analysis or Paleontology. A Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems is also available. Our faculty and students are highly active in research and present their findings at many international, national, and regional conferences.
Because ETSU is located in the core of the Appalachian Mountains, departmental field opportunities and hands on learning experiences abound. Given the immense range and diversity of nearby physical environments, students experience a deep appreciation of, and immersion in, the natural world. The department also offers a Field Experience course to study geology and geography throughout North America and also abroad. Recent courses traveled to Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the Grand Canyon, and Canada. The nearby Gray Fossil Site offers a unique opportunity for students to discover and understand life and ecosystems of the Early Pliocene Epoch, approximately 4.5-5 million years ago.
I’m certain that if you have an interest in the Geosciences, ETSU has an ideal program of study! We look forward to hearing from you soon!
Best wishes,
Tony Vega, Professor and Chair