Courses offered by our Geosciences faculty in spring semester.
Click for more details in the course catalog.
Thinking about becoming a geoscientist?
Geoscientists :
- Search for mineral and energy resources
- Recognize the economic and environmental impacts of resource extraction and use.
- Study natural hazards and environmental geoscience to clean up and reclaim land.
- Research watershed science to maintain and manage clean water sources.
- Investigate global climate change and oceanography
- Communicate cutting-edge geosciences research to our communities.
- Explore planetary geology to understand planets like Mars.
CMU Geosciences Video
Thinking about becoming a geology major? Check out our video!
Colorado Mesa University is situated in a geological paradise straddling the Rocky Mountains and the Colorado Plateau. Our program is very field oriented and includes field trips to places such as the rugged, glacially sculpted San Juan Mountains, the Colorado River, the world renowned Book Cliffs, Arches and Canyonlands, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, and the breathtaking formations of Colorado National Monument. Our location also provides Colorado Mesa students with some of the best recreational opportunities in the nation.
Geosciences Job Outlook
"Employment of geoscientists is projected to grow 7% from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations. The need for energy, environmental protection, and responsible land and resource management is projected to spur demand for geoscientists."
"As of December 2020, 91% of geoscience graduates who earned their degree between 2014-2018 were employed, while 75% of graduates from 2019 and 80% of graduates from 2020 reported the same. For geoscience graduates who earned their degree in 2020, 31% of bachelor's, 50% of master's, and 91% of doctorates had secured employment by December 2020."
Grand Junction Gem and Mineral Club Event Information
All geosciences students are welcome and encouraged to attend the bimonthly GJGMC meetings, field trips, and other events, including the fall Gem and Mineral show.
Geosciences Applauds Generous Geo-Fundraiser
The Grand Junction Gem and Mineral Club is home to outstanding members of our geo-community and promotors of education. Every year the Gem Club hosts events, including the Annual Grand Junction Gem, Mineral, and Jewelry Show, which draws in people from all over the rock-hound world. The fall show attracts more than 1500 attendees. These folks bring their dollars and leave with gem and mineral treasures!
The Gem Club has been raising money for scholarships and awarding them to our CMU Geosciences students since 1980. Between 1980 and 2024, the Club has generously awarded more than $40,000 in scholarships!
The Gem Club is an important economic contributor to our local economy. Importantly, from a CMU Geosciences perspective, the club is also a very generous supporter of education of CMU students. All of us at CMU Geosciences thank the Gem Club for their generosity, strong ties to our university, and commitment to education of our Western Slope youth.
Grand Junction Geological Society: Monthly Speaker Information
All geosciences students are welcome and encouraged to attend the monthly GJGS events.
The Grand Junction Geological Society (GJGS) is community of geosciences professionals, students, and local people with multiple geo-interests. At its monthly meetings, the GJGS hosts guest speakers, including CMU Geosciences faculty and alumni, on hot topics in the geosciences.
For many years, the GJGS and its individual members have been dedicated supporters of the CMU Geosciences Program. Since 2012, the GJGS has awarded $18,250 in student scholarships, $2375 in student-speaker awards, and $6500 in other financial support to the Geosciences program. Each spring, the GJGS typically awards five, annual $750 field-camp scholarships to defray the cost of attending the summer course. The Society has also generously purchased and donated tents and other course materials for field-camp students. Individual GJGS members have established endowments that provide scholarships for CMU students, including the endowed Forrest Nelson scholarship, which was initiated in 2018 with a donation of $600,000 and will provide scholarships to CMU geosciences students for many years to come.
Each spring, the GJGS also runs the William Chenoweth Memorial Field Trip. Members and CMU Geosciences faculty and students use this trip to meet and greet new outcrops and new folks in our geo-community here in Grand Valley.
The GJGS is a very generous supporter of education of CMU Geosciences students. All of us at CMU Geosciences thank the GJGS for their generosity, strong ties to our Geosciences students, and commitment to their education and professional development.
CMU Geosciences News
Spring 2024 CMU Geosciences Program Newsletter
Some Geosciences students' feedback: “The Sunday Mine trip was a great opportunity to see how geology is used in the workforce, and why it is so useful in so many industries.”
“Overall, I thought that the Sunday Mine trip was a really cool and unique experience. It showed me a potential field I could work in the future. It also showed unique geology that can’t always be seen above ground, and the general process that is used to extract valuable and profitable uranium ore found in this particular area.”
Magnetometer, what now? Geophysics in the Field
WHERE "TECH" MEETS "THE FIELD"
Geophysics students gathering data with the Geosciences Program's magnetometer. This instrument was used to investigate the presence of magnetic sources, such as large igneous rock bodies (plutons), below the surface between Uncompahgre Plateau and the Paradox Basin in the Gateway, CO area.
Adventures in Geoscience is a teaching expedition, where ten women students from across the CMU campus will participate in a 5-day river expedition down a river in the Colorado River Basin. The trip will take place during the summer of 2024 with zero cost to the student and all gear provided. This opportunity provides CMU women the opportunity to build connections with other women on campus, learn about topics in geoscience, and gain confidence in outdoor, scientific, and recreational pursuits. Rivers are a valuable resource that have power to make lasting impacts on CMU women students. Participants will share their experience with peers, community members, scientists, and professionals at a public event scheduled for the beginning of Fall-2024 semester. All donors will be notified of the location and timing of student presentations and the public event via email.
The World Around Us
Check out this CMUnow podcast featuring CMU Assistant Professor of Geology Cassandra Fenton, PhD. Dr. Fenton explains why geosciences is so much more than just rocks and why the Grand Valley is like Disneyland for geologists.
Check out some of our #cmugeosciences Instagram posts!
Interested in taking a Geosciences course for Essential Learning? We offer several courses, like:
- Geology of Colorado (GEOL 105)
- Introduction to Physical Geology (GEOL 111/111L and GEOL 113/113L)
- Oceanography (GEOL 104)
- Weather and Climate (GEOL 103)