The Kimbell School of Geosciences offers a diverse array of courses in geosciences to fulfill the Bachelor of Science in Geosciences. There are two pathways of study. The Bachelor of Science Degree with a major in Geosciences may be satisfied through either the Environmental Science Track (GEOE) or the Geosciences Track (GEOS). The choice permits students to focus their coursework in the direction most closely aligned with their aspirations.
The Environmental Science Track is an interdisciplinary degree that requires a concentration option in biology, chemistry, or geoscience. Further details are on the Environmental Science webpage.
And the Geosciences Track offers a traditional curriculum in geology coursework competitive with the best programs in the U.S. Both tracks provide rigorous preparation for employment or for further education in earth science.
A number of generous donors have provided for scholarship grants for qualified applicants. Scholarship applications are solicited in the spring, and provide merit-based support for graduate and undergraduate students for the following academic year. Limited funding is also available to support field course and summer enrollment. Additional external opportunities are available. The scholarship page holds further details.
The program employs select qualified upperclassmen and graduate students as teaching assistants in our introductory laboratories in Physical Geology, Historical Geology, Environmental Science, and Physical Sciences. The opportunity permits students to share their knowledge, acquire the teaching experience highly valued by graduate schools and employers, and get paid for their efforts.
Additionally, many of our students work as geotechs at local oil and gas exploration firms. These opportunities provide hands-on training and exposure to petroleum exploration. Most provide significant compensation in addition to valuable experience.
North-central Texas is a region highly dependent on geology and environment. Additional opportunities for relevant part-time employment abound in our hometown and beyond.
Field excursions and projects provide earth sciences students with a vital sense of the scale of materials and processes. Many of our courses incorporate projects and field trips. Recent class excursions included trips to Carlsbad Caverns and the Guadalupe Mountains, Big Bend National Park, the Arbuckle Mountains, the Wichita Mountains, and the Great Salt Plains. Furthermore, geosciences track students complete a summer field course - a four-to-six week program in the summer of their junior or senior year.