About Us

The School of Geosciences, founded in 1900 by Dr. Charles N. Gould (1868–1949), has been a global leader in geosciences research and education.  The School is part of the Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy and is located in the Sarkeys Energy Center on the main campus of the University of Oklahoma.  Our outstanding faculty instruct and mentor a large group of undergraduate and graduate students in B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. programs in both geology and geophysics.  With an exciting and newly expanded paleontology emphasis, we are also developing a new B.S. degree program in paleobiology

The School of Geosciences is a premier program where faculty, staff, and students work in a diverse range of geoscience fields related to Earth, energy, and the environment.  We provide innovative educational and research experiences for the next generation of scientists.  Society needs us – geoscientists in a variety of fields are critical as we work to provide natural resources for society, to address fundamental Earth sciences questions, and to solve some of the world’s most important challenges.

The School of Geosciences has state-of-the-art facilities and numerous resources.  We are located in Sarkeys Energy Center – a seven-acre, four-square block, 340,000 square-foot teaching and research complex.  Sarkeys is home to the Lawrence S. Youngblood Energy Library which is the largest geological reference library in the world.  Our Bartell Field Camp in Colorado has some of the best facilities and geological surroundings in the country.

Through the generosity of our alumni, friends, and industry donors, most of our students in the School of Geosciences receive departmental scholarships. Our graduate students are very engaged in research and professional geoscience organizations, publish manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals, and present their research at regional, national, and international conferences.  We also encourage our undergraduates to participate in research through a senior thesis, independent study, or as an undergraduate research assistant on a faculty-mentored research project. 

We have many ways for our students to interact with faculty and network with industry professionals through mentored research, field experiences, alumni and social events, internships, and involvement with professional geoscience organizations. There are several student-led organizations, and our colloquium speaker series enables students and faculty to learn from experts across many disciplines. 

There are many opportunities to explore geoscience careers in new and expanding areas such geothermal, carbon capture and storage, hydrogen, critical energy minerals and metals, environmental, and data analytics, among other fields.  Geoscientists are needed in a wide range of areas, and we believe the opportunities will continue to expand.  Our students have continued on to work in a wide range of fields and organizations from the USGS and state geological surveys, to academia and national laboratories, and the petroleum industry and environmental consulting.