Why pursue a Geology Minor?
You want to tackle critical problems facing the world today. Training in Geology will help prepare you to solve some of the most critical issues facing our planet today, such as climate change, pollution, resources and natural hazards.
It's an exciting work environment. Many opportunities in the geosciences involve both field and laboratory work. Field work can take you to many breathtaking places to investigate a range of questions. At Winthrop, study in geology will literally allow you to get your hands dirty as you can collaborate on research with faculty on a breadth of topics.
There's a promising job outlook. According to the US Department of Labor, employment in the geosciences is projected to grow 10% from 2014-2024. This is faster than average for all other occupations. There is demand for employees with geology education with the growth of energy, environmental protection and resource exploration/management demands. The 2020 median pay for geoscientists is $93,580 per year.
Works well with many majors. Courses in Geology will give you the ability to collect and analyze data, prepare formal reports and effectively communicate findings. These skills translate to all professional disciplines and prepare you for success in higher education or in any professional career.
Geology Faculty 
Diana Boyer - Dr. Boyer's research focuses on using fossils and geochemistry to understand ancient
ocean conditions. Specifically, she has applied these methods to the investigation
of the End Devonian mass extinction events (~375 million years ago). Courses taught: Historical Geology (GEOL 210/211), Oceanography (GEOL 220), Dinosaurs (GEOL 270),
Geology of the Bahamas (GEOL 345), Fundamentals of Geochemistry (GEOL 335), Honors
Seminar: Mass extinctions past and present (HONR 205H), Climate and Society (ENVS
350), and HMXP.
Gwen Daley - Dr. Daley's research focuses on reconstructing molluscan paleocommunities and taphonomy
of the Atlantic coastal plain. Courses taught: Physical Geology (GEOL 110), Historical Geology (GEOL 210, 211), History of Life
(GEOL 360), and HMXP.
Scott Werts - Dr Werts' research focuses on utilizing various aspects of soil material to investigate everything from long-term carbon sequestration in soils using stable isotope trends in soil biological materials to investigating heating in soils from surface fires and investigating the geomorphology and stable isotope composition of peat cores for paleoclimate studies. Courses taught: Physical Geology (GEOL 110), Fundamentals of Geochemistry (GEOL 335), Soils and Land Use (GEOL 245), Hydrogeology (GEOL 340), Subarctic Landscapes (ENVS/GEOL 350, 351), Climate Change Present and Future (ENVS 350), Senior seminar in the Environment (ENVS 490), and ACAD.
