Earth and Environmental Sciences

Undergraduate Information
Graduate Information
Faculty

OFFICE: Geology/Mathematics/Computer Science (GMCS) 237
TELEPHONE: 619-594-5586 / FAX: 619-594-4372
E-MAIL: geology@sdsu.edu
WEBSITE: http://www.earth.sdsu.edu

Geologists and environmental scientists apply physical, chemical, and biological principles to understand the complex history and dynamics of the earth system, and seek to discover and manage our planet’s finite resources in clean and environmentally responsible ways. Degrees in the Earth and Environmental Sciences prepare students to address major societal issues including dwindling energy resources, climate change, environmental pollution, and natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and coastal subsidence. We welcome undergraduates and graduates who are curious about the planet on which we live, challenged by environmental problems facing humankind, and intrigued by subjects that span the arts and sciences. At the undergraduate level, the department offers a B.A. in Geological Sciences, a B.S. in Geological Sciences with various emphases, and a B.S. in Environmental Sciences. At the graduate level, the department offers an M.S. in Geological Sciences, with optional specialization in geophysics and hydrogeology, and a joint-doctoral program in Earthquake Science and Applied Geophysics in partnership with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego. We invite you to explore each of our degrees through the catalog content below, and to learn more about our department at https://earth.sdsu.edu/.

Undergraduate Information

Geological Sciences

The Major

Geological sciences is the study of the Earth and its past, present, and future. Geoscientists apply physical, chemical, and biological principles to understand current processes at the earth’s surface to its deep interior, and how these have evolved through Earth’s history. They study topics such as earthquakes, biogeochemical cycles, climate, rock and mineral properties, and paleobiology. The work of geoscientists is important for addressing major societal issues, including sustainable resource management, climate change, environmental pollution, and natural disasters including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and coastal erosion and sea level rise.

Students who are curious about the planet on which we live, challenged by the environmental problems facing humankind, and intrigued by a subject that combines the arts and sciences should consider the geological sciences as a major. Job prospects are diverse and job growth is expected to follow broader trends from 2020 through 2039, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Many job openings are expected in environmental consulting, resource management, engineering, and research. Job opportunities should be excellent for geoscientists who graduate with a master’s degree. Most new jobs will be in management, scientific, and geotechnical consulting services. Many government agencies hire geoscientists, including the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the California Department of Conservation, and regional planning offices.

The department offers two undergraduate degrees in Geological Sciences:

The Geological Sciences B.S. degree in Applied Arts and Sciences is designed for students who intend to become professional geologists and/or those who plan to attend graduate school in geosciences. The program includes courses normally expected of graduate school applicants and prepares students for the examination for professional geologic registration licensing. In addition to the general B.S. curriculum, students may elect to focus on one of five emphases with more specific requirements (e.g., Paleontology, Hydrogeology, Geophysics, Engineering Geology, and Environmental Geology)
The Geological Sciences B.A. degree in Applied Arts and Sciences is designed for students who seek a degree in the geological sciences as a foundation for careers in a variety of areas. This option leverages the strongly interdisciplinary and socially relevant aspects of the geosciences. The B.A. degree includes a broad range of potential courses, and focuses on information about the earth and how society makes decisions that affect the earth system. The Bachelor of Arts degree in Applied Arts and Sciences meets the requirements of the California Community College Associate in Science (AS-T) in Geology for Transfer degree students completing the Transfer Model Curriculum (TMC).

Impacted Program

The geological sciences majors are impacted programs. Pre-majors must meet the following criteria to be admitted to the geological sciences major or an emphasis, students must meet the following criteria:

Complete preparation for the major;
Complete a minimum of 60 transferable semester units;
Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.

To complete the major, students must fulfill the degree requirements described in the catalog in effect at the time they are accepted into the premajor at SDSU (assuming continuous enrollment).

Advising

Students should plan to meet at least once a semester with the undergraduate adviser to plan for and ensure a timely graduation. Major Academic Plans (MAPs) are available at Visit http://www.sdsu.edu/mymap. The MAPs website was created to help students navigate the course requirements for their major/emphasis and to identify General Education courses that will fulfill their graduation requirements and complement their major and broader interests. will also fulfill a major preparation course requirement.

The Rollin and Caroline Eckis Chair in Seismology

A gift from Rollin and Caroline Eckis, combined with matching funds from the Atlantic Richfield Company and contributions from SDSU faculty and staff, established The Rollin and Caroline Eckis Chair in Seismology at SDSU. The late Rollin Eckis was former president of Richfield Oil Company and vice chairman of the board of Atlantic Richfield Company. The inaugural appointee to the chair, Professor Emeritus Steven M. Day, conducts research on the mechanics of earthquakes and earthquake hazards. The current appointee, Professor Kim Bak Olsen, conducts research on seismic wave propagation as well as earthquake source description and hazards.

Environmental Sciences

The Major

Environmental sciences is an interdisciplinary program leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Arts and Sciences. The program provides students with a rigorous and broad foundation in those sciences most relevant to environmental issues. While the focus is on the physical environmental sciences, some coursework is required in biology, computer science, geography, and statistics. Students wishing to concentrate more on the biological aspects of the environment, should consider the ecology emphasis offered by the Department of Biology.

Upon completion of the degree, students will be prepared to understand and contribute to a broad range of environmental problems confronting society. This major should be especially attractive to students who wish a broader background in the environmental sciences compared to other degrees across the sciences. The major will prepare the student for employment in the dynamic and ever-changing environmental science job market and provide preparation to go on to graduate school in the environmental sciences.

Advising

Students should plan to meet at least once a semester with the undergraduate adviser to plan for and ensure a timely graduation. Major Academic Plans (MAPs) are available at http://www.sdsu.edu/mymap. The MAPs website was created to help students navigate the course requirements for their major and to identify General Education courses that will fulfill their graduation requirements and complement their major and broader interests.

Impacted Program

The environmental sciences major is an impacted program. Pre-majors must meet the following criteria to be admitted to the major:

Complete preparation for the major;
Complete a minimum of 60 transferable semester units;
Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.

To complete the major, students must fulfill the degree requirements for the major as described in the catalog in effect at the time they are accepted into the pre-major at SDSU (assuming continuous enrollment).

Geological Sciences Minor

The Geological Sciences minor is designed for students with an interest in the history and dynamics of the earth system, and requires a minimum of 15-16 upper division units. Courses used for the minor may not be counted toward the major, but may be used to satisfy preparation for the major and General Education requirements, if applicable. A minimum of six of the upper-division units must be completed in residence at San Diego State University. Interested students are encouraged to contact the department’s undergraduate adviser.

Oceanography Minor

The Oceanography minor is designed for students with an interest in the global ocean system and a strong background in the sciences. The minor requires a minimum of 15-16 upper division units, and courses used for the minor may not be counted toward the major, but may be used to satisfy preparation for the major and General Education requirements, if applicable. A minimum of six of the upper-division units must be completed in residence at San Diego State University. Interested students are encouraged to contact the department’s undergraduate adviser.

Energy Studies Minor

The Energy Studies minor is designed for students with broad interest in the nature of energy and human’s manipulation and application of it across our planet. The minor requires a minimum of 15 units, 12 of which must be upper-division. Courses used for the minor may not be counted toward the major, but may be used to satisfy preparation for the major and General Education requirements, if applicable. A minimum of six of the upper-division units must be completed in residence at San Diego State University. Interested students are encouraged to contact the department’s undergraduate adviser.

Graduate Information

Master’s Degree Program

General Information

The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences offers graduate study leading to the Master of Science degree in Geological Sciences. The program emphasizes research and an advanced set of courses. Faculty research activities comprise a broad spectrum of expertise, including both theoretical and applied interests. Opportunities exist for integrated field and laboratory research. The department is equipped to support research in geophysics, groundwater hydrology, marine geology, and geochemistry as well as the classic areas of mineralogy, petrology, structural geology, stratigraphy and paleontology. Laboratories devoted to geochronology, isotopes, clay mineral analysis, soils, paleomagnetism, and whole rock analysis, support the graduate research program.

The San Diego area enjoys a mild climate which permits year round field activity. An interesting and diverse geological environment provides many opportunities for research in the local area. Many graduate students are supported in their work by grants and contracts from government and industry.

Admission to Graduate Study for M.S. Degree

All students must satisfy the general requirements for admission to classified graduate standing as described in Admission and Registration. In addition, all students should satisfy the following requirements in order to achieve classified standing and enroll in graduate courses.

Have preparation in geological sciences, mathematics, chemistry, and physics deemed equivalent to the bachelor’s degree in geological sciences at San Diego State University. Candidates whose preparation is deemed insufficient by the master’s program committee may be required to complete specified courses in addition to the minimum 30 units required for the degree. Undergraduate grade point average should be at least 2.5 overall and 2.85 in the last 60 units.
Have successfully completed all courses listed as deficiencies.
Have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in any courses taken as a post baccalaureate student at San Diego State University.

Students applying for admission should electronically submit the university application available at http://www.calstate.edu/apply along with the application fee.

All applicants must submit admissions materials separately to SDSU Graduate Admissions and to the Department of Geological Sciences.

Graduate Admissions

Applying to the Geological Sciences MS program involves completing the five steps below by their stated deadlines available at https://earth.sdsu.edu/ms/applicants/.

All student applications are evaluated competitively and no fixed numerical standards automatically qualify or disqualify a student for graduate study in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences. Students will be admitted on the basis of merit in relation to space and faculty availability. Graduate teaching associateships are available to a limited number of qualified students.

Doctoral Program

The Joint Doctoral Program (JDP) in Geophysics, with emphasis in Earthquake Science and Applied Geophysics, is an educational and research partnership between the San Diego State University (SDSU) and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO) at the University of California San Diego (UCSD). The JDP combines the strengths of SIO (geodesy, remote sensing, and observational seismology) and SDSU (earthquake geology, rupture dynamics, numerical modeling and computational, strong ground motions, water resources, and reflection seismology) to produce a unique Ph.D program in the US. JDP students start by taking the same core curriculum courses as SIO Ph.D. students in their first year, after which they closely work with SDSU and SIO advisors to continue more specialized coursework and complete their dissertation research. Graduates from the program hold positions at federal research institutions (e.g., U.S. Geological Survey), prominent universities (e.g., University of Southern California), or private tech companies (e.g., Microsoft, Google).

WEBSITE: http://sci.sdsu.edu/geology/jdp/opportunity/

Faculty

Chair: Whiteside, Jessica, Professor of Geological Sciences (B.A., Mount Holyoke College; M.A,, Columbia University; Ph.D., Columbia University (Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory)

Undergraduate Adviser: Schellenberg, Stephen A., Professor of Geological Sciences (B.A., M.S., University of South Florida; Ph.D., University of Southern California)

Graduate Adviser: Maloney, Jillian M., Associate Professor of Geological Sciences (B.S., University of Southern California; Ph.D., University of California, San Diego)

The Rollin and Caroline Eckis Chair in Seismology: Olsen, Kim Bak, Professor of Geological Sciences, The Rollin and Caroline Eckis Chair in Seismology (B.S., M.S., University Aarhus, Denmark; Ph.D., University of Utah)

Tenured and Tenure-Track Faculty:

Kimbrough, David L., Professor of Geological Sciences (B.S., University of California, Santa Cruz; Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara)

Ma, Shuo, Professor of Geological Sciences (B.S., Tongji University, China; M.S., Colorado School of Mines; Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara)

Olsen, Kim Bak, Professor of Geological Sciences, The Rollin and Caroline Eckis Chair in Seismology (B.S., M.S., University Aarhus, Denmark; Ph.D., University of Utah)

Schellenberg, Stephen A., Professor of Geological Sciences (B.A., M.S., University of South Florida; Ph.D., University of Southern California)

Whiteside, Jessica, Professor of Geological Sciences (B.A., Mount Holyoke College; M.A,, Columbia University; Ph.D., Columbia University (Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory)

Maloney, Jillian M., Associate Professor of Geological Sciences (B.S., University of Southern California; Ph.D., University of California, San Diego)

Almeida, Rafael, Assistant Professor of Geological Sciences (B.S., Universidad de Los Andes, Venezuela; M.S., Texas A & M University; Ph.D., Columbia University)

Bova, Samantha, Assistant Professor of Geological Sciences (B.A., Earth and Washington University in St. Louis; M.S. and Ph.D., Brown University)

Weingarten, Matthew, Assistant Professor of Geological Sciences (B.A., University of Wisconsin, Madison; Ph.D., University of Colorado, Boulder)

Research Professor:

Hanan, Barry B., (B.S., University of Kansas; M.S., Ph.D., Virginia Tech)

Visiting Professor:

Foster, Anna (B.A., Marist College; M.A., M.Phil.,Ph.D., Columbia University

Lecturers:

Foster, Anna (B.A., Marist College; M.A., M.Phil., Ph.D., Columbia University

Robinson, Kevin L., M.A., Geological Sciences

Sacramento-McJilton, Isabelle, M.S., Geological Sciences

Emeritus Faculty:

Abbott, Patrick L., Ph.D., 1971-2003, Professor of Geological Sciences

Bertine, Kathe K., Ph.D., 1973-2000, Professor of Geological Sciences

Day, Steven M., Ph.D., 1988-2015, The Rollin and Caroline Eckis Chair in Seismology; Professor of Geological Sciences

Dorman, Clive E., Ph.D., 1974-2006, Professor of Geological Sciences

Frost, Eric G., Ph.D., 1981-2022, Professor of Geological Sciences

Girty, Gary H., Ph.D., 1984-2015, Professor of Geological Sciences [Senate Distinguished Professor]

Jiracek, George R., Ph.D., 1980-2004, Professor of Geological Sciences

Kern, Philip J., Ph.D., 1968-1994, Professor of Geological Sciences

Krummenacher, Daniel, Ph.D., 1968-1988, Professor of Geological Sciences

Marshall, C. Monte, Ph.D., 1975-2001, Professor of Geological Sciences

Miller, Richard H., Ph.D., 1977-2001, Professor of Geological Sciences

Peterson, Gary L., Ph.D., 1963-2007, Professor of Geological Sciences

Rockwell, Thomas K., Ph.D., 1983-2019, Professor of Geological Sciences

Thorbjarnarson, Kathryn W., Ph.D., 1991-2021, Associate Professor of Geological Sciences

Wallace, William J., Ph.D., 1969-2001, Associate Professor of Geological Sciences and Physics

Earth and Environmental Sciences

Undergraduate Information

Geological Sciences

The Major

Impacted Program

Advising

The Rollin and Caroline Eckis Chair in Seismology

Environmental Sciences

The Major

Advising

Impacted Program

Geological Sciences Minor

Oceanography Minor

Energy Studies Minor

Graduate Information

Master’s Degree Program

General Information

Admission to Graduate Study for M.S. Degree

Graduate Admissions

Doctoral Program

Faculty

Tenured and Tenure-Track Faculty:

Research Professor:

Visiting Professor:

Lecturers:

Emeritus Faculty:

Programs