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Message From the Chair
Welcome to the UST geology department's web site. As chair, I hope that as you explore these pages, you will discover something new about the geosciences. We are not just about classifying rocks. We are fundamentally interdisciplinary, using chemistry, physics, engineering, and biological principles to understand Earth processes and to create scientists that are critical-thinking stewards of our planet. Some of the things that I am most proud about our program include:
Our ability to place students into excellent graduate degree programs and careers.
Our students have moved into careers in the environmental consulting field, K-12 education, environmental management, and a host of other disciplines. They are increasingly being placed into top research universities as well. Our reputation for producing well-prepared students continues to grow.
A committment to welcoming non-scientists into the sciences.As a department, we pride ourselves on our ability to make scientists out of students who may not have recognized their own potential. I also feel that it is critical that the department be a place that is welcoming to students with or without a strong science background.
A sense that science should be applied to addressing real issues that face humanity and address the common good.
We all face a long list of challenges including global climate change, environmental contamination, and meeting our increasing global demand for energy and natural resources. I believe that one cannot address these challenges without a fundamental knowledge of how the Earth works and that is what we teach.
A belief that faculty-student collaboration and research are integral to good science teaching at the university level.
Each member of the geology faculty has a strong committment to working collaboratively with undergraduate majors on research projects. With projects in Minnesota, Nevada, and South America (and with past projects in Mongolia), we have fundamentally integrated our students into real research.
A strong sense that geology must be done in the field AND the laboratory.
All of our courses include a field laboratory component and we offer a January-term field methods course in the desert southwest that serves as a solid second course in the major. As a geochemist I have seen the continuing growth in the application of chemistry to our discipline. Accordingly, as a department we build strong student laboratory skills including the operation of sophisticated laboratory equipment.
In closing, if you have any questions about our program, do not hesitate to contact me. If you’re in the area, come visit. We're always happy to show folks why we love what we do.
Sincerely,
Kevin Theissen, Ph.D.
