University of PittsbUrgh FALL 2011 VOLUME 8, ISSUE 2 DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY AND PLANETARY SCIENCE: Unlocking the Mysteries of the Environment For more than 4.1 billion years, the Earth has existed with an Through elective inherent rhythm and energy, uninhibited by humans for the courses and specialty continuation of its life cycle. Now, with the world’s population areas, students topping 6.94 billion people and extreme climate conditions work with faculty to occurring around the globe, geologists, environmentalists, and create a program that government officials are looking into what impact civilization provides a strong founda- is having on the environment. The debate rages on as to what tion in environmental studies exactly is causing the drain on the Earth’s resources, what role while exploring their personal society plays in this depletion, and what some viable solutions interests. Environmental studies are for the world’s population and nature to coexist without majors can gain practical and tech- harming the delicate balance of life. nical knowledge by taking courses in geographic information systems (GIS). GIS Through the environmental studies major offered by the courses allow students to create computerized visual Department of Geology and Planetary Science, students at representations of the physical world. The policy-driven the University of Pittsburgh have an excellent opportunity to specialty area enables students with an interest in environ- discover the answers to many of these complex questions as mental policy to interact with local governmental, research, and they investigate what impact humans have on the biosphere, advocacy groups. The natural world specialty area focuses on atmosphere, and hydrosphere. core courses in biology, chemistry, geology, and geochemistry as Established in 1996, the Environmental Studies Program has well as electives in ecology and hazardous waste operations. become one of the most successful interdisciplinary majors at In addition to their regular course work, environmental studies Pitt. With a comprehensive curriculum that encompasses three majors are required to enroll in a field study course, such as different schools at the University and numerous departments the very popular Yellowstone Field Camp, offered through the in the School of Arts and Sciences, students graduate equipped University Honors College. “Unlike most colleges and universi- with the necessary tools to have successful careers in govern- ties, our program requires both an internship and a field-based ment, industry, advocacy, enforcement, education, law, and class, where students totally immerse themselves in the international policy. geological, ecological, and cultural experience,” explains Collins. “Through these specialized field camps, we provide students The program has seen a steady increase in student enrollment, with an exceptional opportunity to apply their critical thinking with 110 students currently enrolled in the major. “There is and problem-solving techniques to real-life situations.” much more interest in environmental studies because of student awareness of and concern about the environment,” explains The Department of Geology and Planetary Science also offers Mark Collins, program coordinator and advisor. “Prospective majors in environmental geology and geology. For more students are well versed in environmental issues. Fifteen years information, visit www.geology.pitt.edu and click on the name ago, students were just discovering the program, but now they of the major underneath the Undergraduate tab. are coming to the University of Pittsburgh specifically for the environmental studies major. We are seeing a generational shift on green issues; students ask about the issues, and want to DID YOU KNOW? make sure that they are attending a green campus.” • Students in the Environmental Studies Program initiated many Funded by the Heinz of the University-wide sustain- Endowments, the environmental ability projects, including dining studies major reflects the current without trays, composting, and environmental movement by the placement of recycling bins offering a diverse cross section outside residence halls. of courses in biology, chemistry, geology, economics, calculus, • In 2010, senior environmental statistics, environmental law, studies and geology major Allyson and environmental policy that Tessin, was one of only five provide students with an all- University of Pittsburgh under- inclusive set of critical thinking graduates to receive the National and problem-solving skills. Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program award. Also in 2010, Tessin and two fellow students from the Department of Geology and Planetary Science were recipients of Fulbright Scholarships. • The University of Pittsburgh Geology Club is open to majors and nonmajors with a common interest in geology and related topics. Some of the group’s activities include a regular weekly seminar and mineral-collecting trips to such places as New York and Laurel Caverns in Farmington, Pa. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • University of PittsbUrgh • school of Arts And sciences • the Pitt Pride • WWW.As.Pitt.edU/UndergrAdUAte MESSAGE FROM THE FACULTY PROFILE ASSOCIATE DEAN Center of Excellence Unraveling Standing at the heart of the University of Pittsburgh’s campus we can see the majestic Cathedral of Learning. the Past This iconic 42-story structure symbolizes the pursuit Magnificent rock specimens that are many of higher learning and the achievements made possible millions of years old decorate the office through education, research, and public service. The of Charles Jones, lecturer and advisor in Cathedral is the traditional home to many School of the Department of Geology and Planetary Arts and Sciences academic departments, programs, and Science. To the untrained eye, these forma- administrative offices. tions are nothing more than large masses of For students to excel at the highest levels, it is vital that compressed plants and animal shells. For Jones, however, they have access to all necessary academic programs, they represent a window into the past as well as a foretelling of resources, and services. With those goals in mind, across future events. Each one is unique, and by examining the many campus from the Cathedral of Learning you can find a layers of sediment, Jones can unlock the hidden treasures that lie beneath the rock’s surface. growing collection of buildings dedicated to Arts and Jones’ research involves the geochemistry of sedimentary rocks and fossils as applied to problems in Sciences undergraduate students that provide a compre- paleoceanography and global climate change. Jones has worked at the University of Pittsburgh for hensive range of services to enhance their educational 11 years and teaches a wide range of undergraduate geology courses for majors and nonmajors, advises experience. Renovations are nearly complete for a student service center consisting of undergraduate studies offices in students in the geology and environmental geology majors, oversees student laboratory courses, and Thackeray Hall, the Gardner Steel Conference Center, and manages the curricula for the geology and environmental geology programs. In addition, this former the O’Hara Student Center (formerly Concordia Club). Rhodes scholar has written for many peer-reviewed publications and has published a widely used geology This centralization of offices will enable students to work laboratory manual, coauthored with his father, that is now in its eighth edition. more closely with faculty, administrators, and advisors as He credits natural curiosity as to why most students become geology majors. “What is so fascinating about well as to engage more actively with their peers. geology is that the subject matter is incredibly diverse. We integrate several fundamental sciences, including Recent renovations in Thackeray Hall include the expan- chemistry, physics, math, and even some biology, into our curriculum,” explains Jones. “For instance, in sion of the Office of Student Records to provide a more my History of the Earth class, students draw upon their knowledge of physics to determine plate motions, student-friendly and personalized experience: a larger of chemistry to create the elements of the periodic table and to understand the reconstruction of climate reception area that will house state-of-the-art computer history, and of biology to understand how life has had a major role in shaping the history of the planet.” kiosks and a plasma screen television. In addition, two In his introductory geology class, Jones uses climate change as a way to illustrate how looking at past popular undergraduate studies units will now be located in events and processes provides insight into the future. “Because the infrastructure that currently exists is Thackeray Hall. The Office of Undergraduate Research, based on what occurred in the last 100 years, we now have to deal with the depletion of groundwater and Scholarship, and Creative Activity (formerly the Office the effects of greenhouse gases,” says Jones. “And, while the world will not end, these changes certainly of Experiential Learning) and the Office of Freshman will have an adverse effect on the environment and how society interacts with the environment.” Programs can be found on the second