Department of Earth Sciences
About Earth Science at Millersville
The Department of Earth Sciences at Millersville University of Pennsylvania offers comprehensive programs of study leading to Bachelor of Science degrees in Emergency Management, Meteorology, Environmental Earth and Ocean Sciences with concentrations in Environmental Earth Sciences, Environmental Geology and Environmental Ocean Sciences, as well as a certification in Earth and Space Science Education.
The department offers two Master of Science degrees, one in Emergency Management (MSEM) and the other in Integrated Scientific Applications (MSISA). The Accelerated MSEM/BSEM program provides an integrated undergraduate/graduate degree program in emergency management allowing students to complete both programs in five years. Graduate Certificates in Emergency and Disaster Management and in Space Weather and Environment: Science, Policy and Communication (SWEN) are also offered through the Department of Earth Sciences.
All eleven faculty members in the department have terminal degrees in their respective fields, and there are over 250 students pursuing the various degree programs. The department is dedicated to providing a rich student-centered learning environment focused on undergraduate education and augmented by faculty research projects, internships, and experiential learning opportunities. A direct consequence of these robust programs is the success our graduates exhibit in finding employment upon graduation or being accepted to post-graduate degree programs.
There are several opportunities for students to engage with clubs and organizations that are related to their field of study. These organizations include the Geology Club, the Student Chapter of the American Meteorological Society (AMS), the Student Chapter of the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM), and the Ocean Science Club.
The geology curriculum meets all requirements for licensure as a professional geologist. The meteorology curriculum conforms to the American Meteorological Society's Guidelines for a B.S. in meteorology and the GS-1340 National Weather Service requirements. The department is a founding member of the Chincoteague Bay Field Station (formerly known as Marine Science Consortium) located on Wallops Island, VA. Field courses are offered at the Field Station where students will have the opportunity to work with instruments and learn onboard a 46-foot research vessel. There are a number of practical experiences focused on field work in all programs. Students in all of the department offerings benefit from fully-equipped classrooms and laboratories and have complete access to state-of-the-art networked computers and research-grade instruments and equipment. The Department maintains licenses for ArcGIS Pro, FORTRAN 95, Interactive Data Language (IDL), and MatLab. Millersville University is a member institution of Internet2 and the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR).
We invite you to further explore our Earth Sciences Web site by clicking through the slideshow below or by selecting any of the tabs on the right-hand side of this page. We invite you to visit us. To schedule a visit or if you have any questions, please contact us at esci@millersville.edu.
Department of Earth Sciences Student Learning Objectives
- Earth Sciences graduates exhibit knowledge and understanding of the component of the Earth system specific to their discipline.
- Earth Sciences graduates can employ evidence-based scientific reasoning to critically think about problems in the Earth Sciences.
- Earth Sciences graduates demonstrate skill in the use of tools and the application of technologies appropriate to their discipline.
- Earth Sciences graduates demonstrate effective oral communication skills.
- Earth Sciences graduates demonstrate effective written communication skills.
Earth Science students engage and learn!!
Earth Science students practice their craft in the field and in the lab under the supervision of dedicated faculty.