What is Geology?

Geology is the science of Earth’s structure, history, processes and resources. You’ll explore how landscapes change, how rocks and minerals form, how water and land systems interact, and how humans engage with the physical planet. 

Why study Geology?

Studying geology equips you to understand, and respond, to critical issues like resource management, natural hazards, water quality, environmental change, and land use. You’ll master skills — field methods, lab analysis, mapping, data interpretation, and systems thinking — that matter, whether you head into research, consulting, resource management, or graduate study.

Why study Geology at Beloit College?

Geology at Beloit College develops understanding of Earth systems, their evolution, and human-environment interactions. It is immersive from the start as you investigate Earth systems at different scales, from outcrops and streams to regional subsurface processes and global change. Nearly every course includes fieldwork in places such as local streams, rock outcrops, and quarries, along with multi-day trips across the Midwest. You learn geology by doing geology, interpreting real landscapes, fossils, and Earth processes in the field.

Beloit College stands out for the depth of access students gain to both professional tools and remarkable geologic environments. Students travel the diverse geology of Wisconsin and national destinations such as Death Valley, the Grand Canyon, Canyonlands, the Catskills, and the Finger Lakes, while study abroad opportunities extend learning to glaciers in Norway, volcanoes in Japan, beaches in Australia, and mountains in New Zealand. On campus, you work with petrographic microscopes, GIS workstations, sedimentology and hydrogeology labs, and advanced instruments, including a scanning electron microscope, XRD, portable XRF, and gamma ray spectrometer. Extensive mineral, rock, and fossil collections, including the Beane Crinoid and Solem Fossilized Wood collections, anchor hands-on scientific study.

Research and mentorship complete the experience. Students participate in summer projects with Beloit College faculty, the Keck Geology Consortium, and national programs, often connected to senior thesis work. A fully equipped field gear room, collaborative lab spaces, and a close-knit departmental community help you build practical skills in analysis, field methods, and scientific communication. Whether you are interested in climate history, groundwater, natural hazards, or environmental change, Beloit College provides the tools, experiences, and faculty support to launch a meaningful geoscience career.