Mission Statement

The Earth is a geologically dynamic planet with both a unique 4.5 billion-year history and environments subject to ever-increasing modification by human activities. The mission of the Department of Geosciences is to educate the Smith College community to the fullest extent possible about how the earth works. including implications for every day life, and to conduct student/faculty research on problems of significant geological importance.

Our educational mission is several-fold: 1) to present an interdisciplinary body of geological knowledge and methodology to the broadest possible range of Smith students (non-majors); 2) to offer a major in geology equal to the best available at an undergraduate, liberal arts college in the United States; 3) to contribute to interdisciplinary programs at Smith College where geological input is vital (minors in archaeology, environmental science, marine science, and public policy); and 4) to provide geological leadership beyond the bounds of Smith College through cooperation with the Five College geology chairs, participation in the Keck Geology Consortium, and outreach to the local community.

The educational philosophy of the department puts emphasis on substantial field-based geological inquiry (local, national, and international), instruction in modern laboratory and field techniques using up-to-date equipment, and, especially for advanced students, learning through interactive student-faculty research.

Educational Philosophy

If you are considering a major or minor in geosciences, it only makes sense to examine the goals and educational approach of the Department of Geosciences. The educational mission as developed by the department has four major objectives:
(1) To present an interdisciplinary body of geological knowledge and methodology to the broadest possible range of Smith College students (non-majors)
(2) To offer a major in geosciences equal to the best available at an undergraduate, liberal arts college in the United States
(3) To contribute to interdisciplinary programs at Smith College where geological input is vital (minors in archaeology, environmental science, marine science, public policy and engineering)
(4) To provide geological leadership beyond the bounds of Smith College through cooperation with the Five College geology chairs, participation in the Keck Geology Consortium, and outreach to the local community.

Our educational philosophy puts emphasis on substantial field-based geological inquiry (local, national, and international), instruction in modern laboratory and field techniques using up-to-date equipment, and, especially for advanced students, learning through interactive student-faculty research.

Through many years of general discussion, we have agreed on a series of goals that we address in all our individual courses, so that our majors and minors are continually exposed to experiences that support realization of those goals. We attempt to insure that graduating geoscience majors:

  • are able to integrate ideas and knowledge from a variety of areas within geosciences and other sciences and programs
  • can write well and speak clearly and coherently
  • are able to solve problems using real geological data
  • can intelligently collect and properly utilize field data
  • know how to define and work on a research problem
  • have the experience of working within a team to solve problems
  • know how to use computers to access, display, and analyze data
  • have experience reaching conclusions based on a limited data-base
  • are trained to critically read and understand scientific articles
  • are presented with opportunities to think creatively

In order to realize these goals we have adopted a philosophy for the major and a number of strategies and activities that are included in as many courses as possible. The most important of these include:

  • requiring a broad background in geosciences and an opportunity to specialize
  • providing as much interdisciplinary integration as appropriate
  • employing extensive hands-on, discovery-based learning
  • including more class discussion and less lecturing
  • electing to pursue depth rather than breadth of coverage in individual courses
  • making maximum use of the local field environment
  • using distant field sites whenever possible: weekend field trips, Bahamas, Hawaii
  • providing writing opportunities across the entire major program
  • designing opportunities for oral presentations of term papers, research projects, and homework assignments
  • insuring acquisition of well-defined critical skills across all course levels in the major.

In summary, the foundations of our educational philosophy are based on substantial field-based geological inquiry, learning by doing, utilizing modern field and laboratory techniques, hands-on use of specialized equipment and interactive student-faculty research experiences. In March, 2000, the Department of Geology engaged in a Decennial Review. As part of this review, a committee was appointed by the Provost and Dean of the Faculty to visit the department and to prepare a report evaluating our program. The committee included a former officer of the National Science Foundation and a past president of the Geological Society of America. Their report stated that

“One could argue that the Smith College Department of Geology constitutes a national model for undergraduate geological education. The defining characteristic of the department is its dedication to student learning and personal student development."