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 Colby College
Department of Geology
   

Senior Research Projects, AY1999-2000 to present

Senior Honors Theses, AY2002-2003 to present

The Jack Kleinman Memorial Award at Colby

Major options and requirements

Course listings in the Department

Faculty and Staff

Fall, 2009, Seminar Schedule

Geology Course Pages

Geological Web Resources

Geology Resource Guide through the Colby Libraries

Internships and Jobs

Maine Geological Survey

Weather forecast

Geology Home Page

  

Chair, Whipple-Coddington Professor Robert A. Gastaldo (207) 859-5807

2008-2009 staff: Professor Robert E. Nelson (on sabbatical leave for Fall, 2009); Clare Booth Luce Assistant Professor Valerie Reynolds and Assistant Professor Walter (Bill) Sullivan; Visiting Assistant Professor Bruce Rueger. Administrative Secretary Alice M. Ridky.
Permian Mass Extinction?
Maybe not!

Colby Geology Rewriting the P/T Book!
Click here to read the whole story!

* * * * * * *
Or click here for the Colby Magazine article on the story, with quotes from the AAAS (American Association for the Advancement of Science) on the importance of their discoveries!

OUR MISSION STATEMENT
For nearly two centuries, the Department of Geology has provided outstanding liberal arts educational opportunities for students at Colby College. Since its inception, the mission of the department has been to:
    -> provide an understanding of the inter-relationships between the Earth sciences and the human experience through varied approaches and technologies;
    -> emphasize practical problem-solving using data and modern analytical techniques drawn from diverse scientific disciplines, and communicate effectively the results to diverse audiences;
    -> develop interpersonal communication skills via interdisciplinary approaches that provide graduates with the tools necessary for successful transition into a global society; and
    -> promote a collaborative atmosphere of student-faculty engagement culminating in an original research experience.
These learning goals have enabled geology students to achieve professional success both within the Earth sciences and in other career paths.

GEOLOGY is the study of the entire Earth. It is the ultimate interdisciplinary science, in that geologists use knowledge of chemistry, physics, mathematics and modern biology to understand the physical and biological history of the entire planet. Geologists are charged with locating virtually all non-biological resources on Earth, and are also at the forefront of understanding and mitigating the environmental impacts of human activities. They are also foremost among the scientists studying the other planetary bodies of our solar system, as NASA missions to Mars, Venus, the Moon and Jupiter have demonstrated so vividly in recent years. Through classroom study, hands-on research experience, and internships, Colby geology majors are prepared to enter this exciting world either as beginning professionals or exceptionally well-prepared graduate students.

Click on any photo below to see an enlarged version.
The Spring, 2009, Mineralogy class pauses for a "ham it up moment" during a field trip to the Sterling Hill Mine in Odgensburg, NJ. Minerals from this locality are world-famous for fluorescing under ultraviolet light.
Structural geology students figure out what's REALLY going on at Pemaquid Point on the Maine coast in the fall of 2008.

The department offers two major programs: a Geology major for those planning to enter professional work or go on immediately to graduate study, and a geoscience major more geared towards a general liberal-arts education or science teaching career. A more research-intensive honors program is also offered. Requirements for each of these programs may be found at the Geology Page in the College Catalogue.

Students in Geology at Colby find that the Department is committed to the principle of "learning by doing." All geology majors at Colby engage in at least one major research project before graduating, working closely with one or more faculty mentors in a significant exploration of new knowledge. In recent years, many students have presented the results of their research at either the National Annual Meeting or the Northeastern Section Meeting of the Geological Society of America, as well as other venues.

© Colby College
Department of Geology
5800 Mayflower Hill
Waterville, Maine 04901-8858
Phone: 207-859-5800
Fax: 207-859-5868
Contact



The Colby Geology web pages are maintained by R. E. Nelson. Please e-mail any questions, comments
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You are visitor number to Colby's Geology Home Page since January 30, 1996.

Entire contents copyright © 1996-2009 by the
Department of Geology, Colby College

[ This page last modified 19 November, 2009. ]