Degree Programs

Geology

Geology is an interdisciplinary science with strong connections to a variety of fields, including biology, chemistry, computer science, physics and business. If you are interested in geology, see the range of degree options to match your goals below.

Environmental Science

Environmental science is even more interdisciplinary than geology. If you have a strong interest in the scientific aspects of environmental work, the GES department's environmental science major or minor are great choices. If your focus is more in the humanities, check out the separate environmental studies minor. Degree options are listed below.

Degree Programs

Geology

Bachelor of Arts Geology Major

The Bachelor of Arts major in geology requires 36 credits in geology and ancillary sciences. It is a good choice for students who are broadly exploring the liberal arts and want a general liberal arts degree. It is also a good choice for students who want to double major, want to pair the major with an environmental science minor, or choose geology as a major later in their college career.

View the Bachelor of Arts geology major in the course catalog 

Bachelor of Science Geology Major

The Bachelor of Science major in geology requires 60 credits in geology and ancillary sciences. It is meant for students who want to work in an Earth science profession or continue their education in graduate school.

View the Bachelor of Science geology major in the course catalog 

Geology Minor

The geology minor is a minimum of 16 credits. The minor is a good way to document an interest in geology, whether paired with a major in one of the other sciences, in education or in the humanities.

View the geology minor in the course catalog 

Geochemistry Major

Students interested in geochemistry can complete a composite major. Consult with the chairs of the chemistry and GES departments to learn more about this option.

View the geochemistry composite major in the course catalog 

Geophysics Major

Students interested in geophysics can complete a composite major. Consult with the chair of the GES department to learn more about this option.

View the geophyics composite major in the course catalog 

Geology for Education Students

The GES department partners with the education department to prepare students who seek certification to teach geology or Earth science at the elementary and secondary levels. Consult with the Department of Education for detailed requirements.

Review degree options and requirements at the education department website 

Environmental Science

Environmental Science Major

The Environmental Science Major offers concentrations in biology, chemistry and geology. Students take between 60 and 65 credits depending on the concentration they choose.

Students who are interested in a discipline that does not offer a concentration should complete the environmental science minor in addition to majoring in their field of interest.

Whether you complete the environmental science major or a disciplinary major plus the Environmental Science Minor, Hope’s programs are great preparation for going to graduate school or working in an environmental career.

View the environmental science major in the course catalog 

Environmental Science Minor

The environmental science minor has been an excellent choice for students who want a career in environmental science. It has a strong science focus and requires a semester of general chemistry before taking most courses in the minor. You pair the minor with a major in a different discipline, whether geology, biology, chemistry, engineering or fields beyond the sciences such as communication or sociology. You build not only a strong foundation in your major discipline but also an additional set of science courses that further prepares you for environmental study, so having a major + more science puts you ahead of the typical graduate.

The minor consists of 14 credits, plus two courses from your major that have been flagged as being particularly relevant to environmental science.

View the environmental science minor in the course catalog 

Environmental Studies Minor

This minor includes some courses taught by the GES department, but it is a separate program with its own director.

View the environmental studies minor in the course catalog 

Program Outcomes

Geology B.A.

Hope College students completing a Geology B.A. degree will:

• Observe, record and interpret geological features in the field
• Understand the theoretical underpinnings and methods of data analysis, including quantitative analysis, that uniquely undergird specific subdisciplines within the geosciences
• Read, understand and write geological literature
• Describe, classify and interpret common geological materials and structures
• Understanding plate tectonics as the unifying theory in geology
• Appreciate how “deep time” informs an understanding of the origins of geological features and resources, and use geological features to reconstruct natural history
• Understand the scientific process, posit scientific hypotheses, devise ways to test them by collecting scientific data, and analyze data in a meaningful way.

Geology B.S.

Hope College students completing a Geology B.S. degree will:

• Observe, record and interpret geological features in the field
• Understand the theoretical underpinnings and methods of data analysis, including quantitative analysis, that uniquely undergird specific subdisciplines within the geosciences
• Read, understand and write geological literature
• Describe, classify and interpret common geological materials and structures
• Understanding plate tectonics as the unifying theory in geology
• Appreciate how “deep time” informs an understanding of the origins of geological features and resources, and use geological features to reconstruct natural history
• Understand the scientific process, posit scientific hypotheses, devise ways to test them by collecting scientific data, and analyze data in a meaningful way
• Demonstrate depth of understanding of interconnections between geology and other mathematics or science disciplines

Environmental Science

Hope College students completing an Environmental Science degree will:

• Understand the skills and perspective an environmentally-focused science discipline brings to environmental science
  
• Demonstrate a broad interdisciplinary understanding of systems concepts in environmental science
  
• Know how environmental issues affect and are affected by politics and economics
  
• Know how concepts of sustainability inform environmental science
  
• Possess the knowledge, skills, and intellectual tools to address complex and multifaceted problems
  
• Work effectively in a team with scientists and other professionals from other disciplines
  

Geology

Hope College students completing a geology degree will:

• Observe, record and interpret geological features in the field
  
• Understand the theoretical underpinnings and methods of data analysis, including quantitative analysis, that uniquely undergird specific subdisciplines within the geoscience
  
• Read, understand and write geological literature
  
• Describe, classify, and interpret common geological materials and structures
  
• Understand plate tectonics as the unifying theory in geology
  
• Appreciate how “deep time” informs an understanding of the origins of geological features and resources, and use geological features to reconstruct natural history
  
• Understand the scientific process, posit scientific hypotheses, devise ways to test them by collecting scientific data and analyze data in a meaningful way