Geology

Don’t go it alone

Your success is our mission! If it’s further information about geology that you need or you just want to chat with a geologist, any faculty member in the Department of Geology will be happy to talk with you.

If you are in your freshman or sophomore year, your first point of advising is the Undergraduate Advising Resource Center. You should be meeting with your academic advisor there at least once a semester to get your next semesters courses planned.

Getting Started as a New Geology or Earth Science Major or Minor 

If you recently declared a geology major, you will receive a letter from the department chair welcoming you and assigning you a department faculty member as your academic adviser. The letter informs you that each semester you will have a registration stop that can only be removed after you have met with your adviser and discussed your educational plans and goals. It is critical that at your first meeting with your Geology adviser, you create a four-year plan that will enable you to take all the courses that you need to be able to graduate. This is particularly important because certain upper-level geology courses are offered every other year so you must plan ahead. In addition to the course work, other experiences that you should plan for include research projects in collaboration with faculty members and internships in industry or government. Visit eco.org and search USGS for more information.

Every geology major receives the department’s electronic newsletter. Read it carefully, and take advantage of the opportunities that it contains, such as Geology Club speakers and research experiences. Besides Geology Club, there are a number of ways to be involved in the department, such as being a laboratory teaching assistant or a tutor. These positions are paid, but more importantly, they provide excellent learning experiences!

After four years of hard work, perseverance and rewarding results, it’s time to…

Apply for Graduation

• Apply for graduation 
• Prepare a resume and cover letter and mail them to prospective employers
• Take the Principles of Geology examination as a step toward becoming a professional geologist in Wisconsin
• If you seek a graduate program, the Graduate Record Examination
• If you seek a graduate program, apply for admission to graduate school
• Ask at least three faculty members to serve as references.

At this stage of your education, you already should have established a good working relationship with your geology adviser, as well as with other geology professors, so don’t be afraid to ask for help from one or more of them. Ask them to read or edit your applications, cover letter, and resume, they’ll be happy to help!

Graduating

Your time at UWO will fly by! But when it’s time for you to move on to a full-time career, don’t cut ties with the Geology Department! We love staying connected to our alumni. Keep us informed of your whereabouts and your career. Come see us when you are in town, connect with us at professional meetings, and attend the Geology Alumni Reception at Homecoming. When you are established, consider donating to one of the many departmental scholarships so future students enjoy the same opportunities you have. It is our hope that you continue to stay invested in your UWO Geology family, wherever life takes you!

Geology Department Advisers