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 Colby College
Department of Geology
   

Alumna in the News: Vicki L. Ferrini '95

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

Spring, 2012, Seminar Schedule

Geology Course Pages

Geological Web Resources

Geology Resource Guide through the Colby Libraries

Internships and Jobs

Maine Geological Survey

Waterville Local Weather forecast (from the National Weather Service)

Northeast Regional Radar Loop

Portland Local Radar Loop

  

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

2011-2012 staff: Professor Robert E. Nelson; Clare Booth Luce Assistant Professor Valerie S. Reynolds [on leave Sem. II] and Assistant Professor Walter A. (Bill) Sullivan; Visiting Assistant Professor Bruce F. Rueger. Administrative Secretary Alice M. Ridky.


Tara Chizinski '14, Mduduzi "Dan" Langwenya '14, and Kody Spencer '14, are all spending JanPlan in South Africa conducting research in the Karoo Basin with Whipple-Coddington Professor Bob Gastaldo. Click HERE to follow their daily "Extinct South Africa" blog!

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.

Departmental News:
Buddy Bates '57 visited the Department recently to see the new Buddy Bates Geology Lounge at Colby, perhaps the most inviting study space on campus. Buddy's gracious donation will ensure that all Colby Geology students are able to benefit from the camaraderie and collaborative intellectual engagement he experienced as a student in the Department. He's shown here with Dept. Chair Bob Gastaldo and some of the new furnishings that grace this elegant student study area.

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.

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 professional venues.

Colby College
Department of Geology
5800 Mayflower Hill
Waterville, Maine 04901-8858
Phone: 207-859-5800
Fax: 207-859-5868
Click here to Contact the Chair




The Colby Geology web pages are maintained by R. E. Nelson. Please e-mail any questions, comments
or suggestions you may have, especially if you encounter difficulties.


You are visitor number to Colby's Geology Home Page since January 30, 1996.

Entire contents copyright © 1996-2011 by the
Department of Geology, Colby College

[ This page last modified 24 January, 2012. ]