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Welcome to Geological Sciences

 

The Department of Geological Sciences is committed to field-based and lab-based teaching and research. We are dedicated to a greater understanding of Earth processes through research, service to the geosciences, and outreach to the general public and K-12 classrooms.

 

We offer both B.S. and M.S. degrees in geology. Our students go on to careers in environmental geology, the energy industry, government service. Others go on to a Ph.D. at major research universities. We are located in the southern Rio Grande rift with world-class geology right outside campus, providing opportunities for class field trips and research projects.
Undergraduate Program

Undergraduate Program

We offer three options for the BS Degree: Geological Sciences, Earth and Environmental Systems, and Earth Science Education.

Graduate Program

Graduate Program

We offer a MS in Geology in the fields of petrology, geochemistry, stratigraphy, structural geology, neotectonics, and volcanology.

Why Choose NMSU?

Why Choose NMSU?

We have a small group of faculty active in a wide range of research projects. We have extensive analytical equipment, a clean lab, and mineral separation lab. And we have great local geology for field trips and research projects.

Watch this video to learn more about our program and hear what our alums think about their experience:


Alumni Support

Whether you obtained a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, if the Department of Geological Sciences has helped you in your career, please consider donating to the Department, as we could really use your support. There are scholarships in honor of retired faculty members that were endowed by generous alumni; building these scholarships helps to support our students.  We also have scholarships set up for student field work/research and a general department fund that helps us meet our greatest needs as they arise.  The Southern Rift Institute is soliciting donations for Graduate Student Research Grants. Please donate amounts to cover all or parts of $2500 research grants to help our MS students conduct cutting-edge research! All donations are tax-deductible. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Alumni Hall of Fame

Each year we elect a distinguished alum into our Hall of Fame

The Zuhl Collection

Part art gallery, part natural history museum, the Zuhl Museum at NMSU is the home of the Zuhl Collection containing over 1,800 beautiful specimens of petrified wood, fossils and minerals.

Research Areas

We are actively engaged in research in the following fields (click on the photo to see who is involved in this research):

Sedimentology/Stratigraphy

Sedimentology/Stratigraphy ▸

Structure/Tectonics

Structure/Tectonics ▸

Detrital Zircon Dating

Detrital Zircon Dating ▸

Mineralogy/Petrology

Mineralogy/Petrology ▸

Geochemistry

Geochemistry ▸

Volcanology

Volcanology ▸

Local Geology

Why choose NMSU for your Master’s Degree? Field trips are an essential feature of a geologic education, and Las Cruces is surrounded by excellent field localities. All of these areas are within an hour or two of campus and provide excellent research and learning opportunities.

Students in innoventure program
Organ Mts.
Organ Mts. ▸

Organ Mts.

Students in innoventure program
La Luz Canyon, Sacramento Mts.
La Luz Canyon, Sacramento Mts. ▸

Organ Mts.

Students in innoventure program
Kilbourne Hole
Kilbourne Hole ▸

Organ Mts.

Students in innoventure program
Mescal Canyon
Mescal Canyon ▸

Mescal Canyon

Students in innoventure program
Bishop’s Cap
Bishop’s Cap ▸

Mescal Canyon

Students in innoventure program
White Sands Monument
White Sands Monument ▸

Mescal Canyon

Students in innoventure program
Florida Mts.
Florida Mts. ▸

Mescal Canyon

Students in innoventure program
Burro Mts.
Burro Mts. ▸

Mescal Canyon

Students in innoventure program
Elephant Butte
Elephant Butte ▸

Mescal Canyon

Students in innoventure program
Palm Park
Palm Park ▸

Mescal Canyon

Students in innoventure program
San Diego Mt.
San Diego Mt. ▸

Mescal Canyon

Students in innoventure program
Caballo Mts.
Caballo Mts. ▸

Mescal Canyon

Job Opportunities and Training for PhD Programs

Students with Master’s degrees from NMSU have gone on to Ph.D. programs at UCLA, Purdue, Stanford, and other top institutions. Those interested in industry jobs have been hired at Shell, Chevron, Devon, Occidental, and Chesapeake. Others work at environmental firms such as Souder Miller in Las Cruces or state agencies such as the Office of the State Engineer. A Master’s degree in Geology creates career opportunities.

Mission Statement

The Department of Geological Sciences is committed to field-based and lab-based teaching and research. We strive to be one of the top departments in the nation at which to earn undergraduate and MS degrees in the geological sciences as a foundation for a career in industry, government, or academia. We are dedicated to a greater understanding of Earth processes through research, service to the geosciences, and outreach to the general public and K-12 classrooms.

Diversity Statement

Everyone should have the opportunity to reach their goals, regardless of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, creed, religion, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, marital status, medical condition, pregnancy, education, class, political affiliation, or parental status. A career in the geosciences is a great path to social mobility and we welcome students, faculty, and staff from all backgrounds. We will make every effort for our department, our courses and our activities, to be open to all.

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NMSU Department of Geological Sciences