We are a dynamic and growing department within the College of Natural Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Amherst is the flagship campus of the University of Massachusetts, a Research 1 University.
Why Geosciences, Why Now?
…Because we are experiencing ‘global environmental change’ at an unprecedented rate; not only in our physical world, but in societies worldwide as well. The issues are compelling, complex, and current. We must better understand our home planet’s history, its processes, hazards, resources, and environments, as well as our impact on it.
Where we live – our environment – impacts who we are, how we interact with other people and communities, and how we use and conserve resources. In the Department of Geosciences, we explore Earth’s past and present. We use relevant and rigorous skills to address the key environmental challenges that human society is facing today. We study environments on and in the Earth, how these formed, and how they are changing. We examine the inter-relationships between the environment and human societies, economies, and cultures. Earth’s history, Earth’s future - together these define our environment and our place in it.
