Geology (GEOL)

Chair: Professor Bereket Haileab

Students who discover in themselves a sense of excitement about the environment, mountains, climate change, volcanoes, fossils, rivers and earthquakes will find a good home in the Carleton College Geology Department. The geology department retains a spirit of exploration and adventure; fieldwork in the out of doors is central to our curriculum. The geology curriculum is flexible, rigorous, and rooted in the traditions of a liberal arts education.

Can I major in it? Yes, a major is offered. For more information about the major click here.

Topics explored: A wide variety of topics are covered in the geosciences including earthquakes, glaciers, volcanoes, fossils, minerals, climate change, water, and plate tectonics. Click here to see a complete listing of Geology Courses offered.

How to get started: First-year students should take GEOL 100: Geology in the Field, or GEOL 110: Introduction to Geology, or GEOL 120: Introduction to Environmental Geology. The department also offers fall and spring departmental field trips over mid-term break, which are open to anyone taking a geology course. For those already considering becoming a Geology Major, taking courses in mathematics, physics and chemistry is a good idea.

Explore the Geology web site for additional information.