Geoscientists are diverse - they include geologists, paleontologists, geochemists and geophysicists, to name a few, and pursue careers as researchers, energy professionals and government executives.
Geoscientists investigate Earth processes, materials and geological features and their changes through Earth history. They work to provide natural resources for society, address fundamental Earth sciences questions and solve some of the world's most important challenges.
Geoscientists often work in the field, in the laboratory and with high-end computers to evaluate data and geological formations at Earth's surface and within Earth's interior. Our faculty and students represent a diverse range of geoscience fields related to Earth, energy and the environment.
Use the rocks to invesitgate the processes that shape the Earth, analyze Earth's history and the distribution of raw materials.
Explore some of the same problems by application of physical, numerical and computer technology to the student of Earth's interior and for the exploration of natural resoruces.
Thanks to our incredible network of alumni and donors, there are significant scholarship opportunities available to geosciences students.
Qualified students receives a minimum of $1000 each year.
Undergraduate research gives our students an opportunity to gain hands-on experience early in their college career. Students partner with faculty members, in the field and in the lab, to assist with research projects ranging from African lake sediments, to analyzing international earthquake data. With the help of departmental research grants, these projects can culminate in a senior thesis and lead to a publication or presentation at a national scientific conference.
From the Guadalupe Mountains to Carlsbad Caverns, most geosciences classes involve trips that allow students to apply the tools they learn in the classroom to the field. These field trips provide the opportunity to examine rocks and structures, observe earth processes, participate in field research and form lasting friendships with your field partners.
All of these field trips culminate in field camp - the six-week course that occurs after your junior or senior year.
The First-Year Field Trip is an opportunity for students in geosciences to take a week-long field trip to visit OU's Bartell Field Camp and discover the geology around Cañon City, CO.
Students and faculty spend several days exploring the outdoors and traveling to unique geological features like weathered igneous intrusions, ancient fossil beds, massive sand dunes, mountain glaciers, and beautiful rocky canyons. Each stop gives them the opportunity to learn more about geologic history, admire the earth, and form lifelong friendships with peers.
For more information, please contact: Gail Holloway gholloway@ou.edu
An education in geosciences opens up opportunities for a variety of career paths in energy and mineral resources, environmental and academia. Our graduates are also prepared for careers with geoscience applications in law, economics, meteorology, oceanography, science writing and consulting firms.
Pete Reilly works as Lead Engineer for Liberty Energy, hired on through SLB’s OneStim out of El Reno, Oklahoma in November 2020. Pete is on hydraulic fracturing fleets throughout North America, working 2 weeks on - 2 weeks off schedule, 12 hour shifts, days or nights. He was also selected for an international project in Australia’s Northern Territory scheduled for Fall 2024. Pete is responsible for onsite chemicals & proppant, stage reports, QAQC of fluid systems and materials.
Riley Woodrow works as an Environmental Program Specialist for the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality’s Land Protection Division in the Brownfields program. The Brownfields program works to provide education and support for the cleanup, sustainable reuse, and redevelopment of abandoned, idled, or underused properties whose redevelopment is complicated by pollution.
In his role, he assists local governments and other entities by providing a Targeted Brownfields Assessment (TBA) at no cost to eligible entities. A TBA is a property assessment that can be tailored to the participant’s site-specific needs. It can be a Phase I or a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment (ESA), also known as an All-Appropriate Inquiry. A Phase I ESA is an examination of the environmental history of a piece of property, summarized in a written report. A Phase II is often performed when a Phase I identifies Recognized Environmental Conditions and is used to determine if actual contamination exists. TBAs can also be used for lead and asbestos surveys or other types of environmental assessments.
I am an undergraduate student working towards a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Geology. Prior to starting college, I served in the United States Air Force as a Fuels Technician. During that time, I met my wife here in Norman, Oklahoma, just minutes away from OU’s campus. Being an avid hiker, camper, and outdoorsman, I wanted to pursue a degree that allowed me to work outdoors and contribute to the preservation of our natural resources.
Thankfully, I was accepted to OU after finishing my military service and their geology program was the perfect fit for my goals. During my first semester I was given the opportunity to assist Dr. Michael Soreghan by preparing samples for isotopic dating. This small job gave me a taste of lab experience and led to me working with my current advisor, Dr. Megan Elwood Madden. I soon found myself involved with planetary geology research, studying how saturated brines interact with rocks and minerals on the surface of Mars. This research has carried on into my junior year and will eventually become my senior thesis.
Along with this research, I have also managed to become Vice President of the Soil and Water Conservation Society chapter at OU. Being a part of this organization has allowed me to engage with conservation professionals and learn more about local challenges and efforts surrounding water resources in the state. Just as importantly, this position allowed me to make more friends and build connections in my field of interest.
As of right now, I am gathering data on the mineral and brine samples that I have been working with for just over half a year. My goal is to understand how certain mineral assemblages and weathering patterns may have appeared on Mars. In addition, this data should give insight into mineral-brine interactions here on Earth!
After obtaining my bachelor’s, and perhaps continuing to graduate school, I hope to find work as a hydrologist, studying and protecting our most important natural resource.
There are four active student organizations in the School of Geosciences.
The OU AAPG Student Chapter is very diverse in terms of its membership with good mix of geologists, geophysicists and petroleum engineers from both undergraduate and graduate programs. Our main goals are to promote fellowship within the department, as well as giving our members various skills that they can transfer over into their professional fields.
Pick and Hammer is an official OU Student Organization that raises awareness of the importance of geology and geophysics in society, and creates a venue for students to explore the geosciences through field trips, social events and community outreach. The organization is open to all undergraduate and graduate students of various majors.
SEG student chapters empower students to participate and spearhead projects that will address issues, challenges, and opportunities related to the SEG's mission of promoting the science of geophysics.
Our chapters provide opportunities for education, training, and networking at a local level, where a diverse group of conservation-minded members meet to discuss and address the environmental challenges facing their particular landscapes and communities.
