introduction

The Department of Geological Sciences at the University of Texas at San Antonio, has a range of research programs central to the earth sciences. These include environmental geosciences, field geology, general geochemistry, groundwater/hydrogeology, igneous and metamorphic petrology, sedimentology and stratigraphy, paleontology, geomorphology, GIS, and remote sensing. We offer a certification in Geographical Information Science, as well as the BS, BA, and MS degree in Geology, and minor in Geology; and a BS degree in Multidisciplinary Studies.

Our research facilities include laboratories for biogeochemistry, hydrogeology, engineering geology, isotope geochemistry, micropaleontology and stratigraphy, remote sensing and spatial analysis, and x-ray diffraction.

The Department is committed to provide quality educational opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students.

geology - in a nut shell

Geology is the study of internal structure, materials, chemical/physical processes, and physical biological history of the earth - its origin and history, composition, and structure. Students of geology encounter science in the broadest sense because geology involves the application of engineering and environmental sciences.

The scope of geology is broad with many specialized branches. For example, geomorphology is the investigation of nature and origin of land forms; structural geology is the investigation of the deformation of rock masses in the earth's crust and the forces that have affected them; stratigraphy investigates thickness, geometry, and distribution of layered rocks to understand the chronology of geologic events.

Other areas of interest include ground-water geology, investigation of the distribution, movement, and chemical quality of our underground water supply; environmental geology, predict, avoid or mitigate problems connect with pollution, urban development, and geological hazards.