About the College
Lee Kump, John Leone Dean in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences
For more than a century, Penn State’s College of Earth and Mineral Sciences has been a beacon of intellectual leadership on issues of utmost importance to the welfare of the Commonwealth, the nation, and beyond. We are a vibrant, inclusive community driven by curiosity to unlock how Earth's systems, energy, and materials interact with one another and society. With our top-ranked programs; five academic departments; and more than 40 majors, minors, and certificates, we provide a comprehensive, high-quality education at the forefront of both innovative teaching and path-breaking research focused on meeting the needs of our global society. Students learn to plumb the depth of their chosen field while integrating their understanding across disciplinary boundaries to discover and innovate, learning from faculty who are translating their scientific discoveries into practice, finding new solutions as challenges arise. Together, we are creating a sustainable and inclusive future for society.
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Mission and Goals
The mission of the college is to advance knowledge, talent and leadership to elucidate Earth processes and history, harness and sustain natural resources and materials, and develop novel solutions to major challenges in energy, environment and wellbeing. We continue a strong tradition of building deep disciplinary expertise along with interdisciplinary teams, focusing on the interfaces of the natural science, social science, and engineering disciplines, where answers to the most pressing problems facing society await discovery.
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Departments and Schools
John and Willie Leone Family Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering
The John and Willie Leone Family Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering offers programs addressing topics such as the effective production, conversion, use, and management of energy. Instruction in theory, applications, and project design is augmented by hands-on training, problem-based learning, and interactive classes with individual attention.
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Department of Geography
The Department of Geography offers a comprehensive academic program that includes bachelor’s degrees, minors, and certificates. Programs are designed to educate and inspire students to become critical and committed citizens who contribute to solutions for our planet.
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Department of Geosciences
The Department of Geosciences offers an academic program that include bachelor’s degrees, minors, and certificates designed to provide students with an integrated, interdisciplinary study of the whole Earth, afford them with the skills and knowledge needed to solve real-world problems, and prepare them for careers at the forefront of geosciences.
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Department of Materials Science and Engineering
The Department of Materials Science and Engineering offers an academic program that provides students with a broad understanding of materials as well as the fundamental techniques of science and engineering used in the discipline, and a flexible curriculum that allows students to tailor their degree to their particular interests.
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Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science
The Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science offers a program that explores the significance of weather and climate as it relates to the environmental, energy, agricultural, oceanic, and hydrological sciences. Students study topics ranging from severe weather to numerical weather prediction to climate change to weather risk to air pollution.
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Baccalaureate Degrees
- Earth Science and Policy, B.S.
- Earth Sciences, B.S.
- Energy and Sustainability Policy, B.A.
- Energy and Sustainability Policy, B.S.
- Energy Business and Finance, B.S.
- Energy Engineering, B.S.
- Environmental Systems Engineering, B.S.
- Geobiology, B.S.
- Geography, B.A.
- Geography, B.S.
- Geosciences, B.A.
- Geosciences, B.S.
- Materials Science and Engineering, B.S.
- Meteorology and Atmospheric Science, B.S.
- Mining Engineering, B.S.
- Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering, B.S.
Minors
- Climatology, Minor
- Earth and Sustainability, Minor
- Earth Systems, Minor
- Electrochemical Engineering, Minor
- Energy Business and Finance, Minor
- Energy Engineering, Minor
- Environmental Systems Engineering, Minor
- Geographic Information Science, Minor
- Geography, Minor
- Geophysics, Minor
- Geosciences, Minor
- Information Sciences and Technology for Earth and Mineral Sciences, Minor
- Meteorology, Minor
- Mining Engineering, Minor
- Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering, Minor
- Polymer Science, Minor
- Watersheds and Water Resources, Minor
Certificates
- Climate and Environmental Change, Certificate
- Earth Sustainability, Certificate
- Environment and Society Geography, Certificate
- Geographic Information Science, Certificate
- Geospatial Big Data Analytics, Certificate
- Global Environmental Systems, Certificate
- Justice, Ethics, Diversity in Space, Certificate
- Landscape Ecology, Certificate
- Landscapes: Societies, Cultures, and Political Economies, Certificate
- Weather Forecasting, Certificate
College Procedures
Administrative Enrollment Controls
Some majors in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences are administratively enrollment controlled due to limited space, faculty, and other resources. Students should work closely with an academic adviser to ensure they are meeting all entrance to major requirements.
Change of Campus
Most programs in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences are completed at the University Park campus; however, students can begin their Penn State courses at any Penn State campus and transition to University Park. To plan for your change of campus, please work closely with your academic adviser.
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Concurrent Majors
A Concurrent Majors Program is one in which students take courses to concurrently meet the requirements of at least two majors, with graduation for all majors in the program occurring during the same semester. This requires careful planning; students must meet with the faculty adviser in charge of their program for approval.
READ SENATE POLICY 60-00: COMPLETING MORE THAN ONE UNDERGRADUATE MAJOR PROGRAM
Academic Warning
A student who fails to earn a 2.00 cumulative grade-point average will be placed on academic warning. A student placed on academic warning will have a hold placed on registration and will be required to meet with an academic adviser in order for this registration hold to be removed. To remove academic warning, the cumulative grade-point average must be 2.00 or higher.
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READ SENATE POLICY 54-20: ACADEMIC WARNING
Academic Suspension
A student in academic warning who fails to maintain a semester grade-point average of 2.00 or higher will be academically suspended. A student who has been academically suspended may not schedule courses at the University for two consecutive semesters. (Note: Summer session is equal to one semester.)
A student seeking to return to the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences after suspension must have an advising appointment with an adviser in the Ryan Family Student Center prior to the deadline posted on the college website.
Resources
Ryan Family Student Center
The Ryan Family Student Center integrates tutoring, advising, student engagement, student work space, and areas for casual interaction into a one-stop shop for student success. The vibrant and engaging academic atmosphere fosters a warm, welcoming, and small-college feel amid the rich activities taking place on the University Park campus.
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Office of Educational Equity
Diversity among students and faculty is a top priority for the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences and the Office of Educational Equity takes an active role in promoting respect and embracing diversity and inclusion in the college.
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Beyond the Classroom
All students in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences are encouraged to participate in out-of-class experiences such as undergraduate research, study abroad, and internships. Opportunities exist within the college, across the University, and beyond.
Honors Programs
Schreyer Honors College
The Schreyer Honors College, regarded as one of the nation’s top programs of its kind, promotes achieving academic excellence with integrity, building a global perspective, and creating opportunities for leadership and civic engagement. Schreyer Scholars, including those admitted after their first or second year of enrollment, are a diverse and motivated group of approximately 2,000 students at University Park and 20 Commonwealth campuses. The College strives to educate students who will have an important and ethical influence in the world, to improve educational practice, and to continue to be recognized as a leading force in honors education nationwide.
Contact
COLLEGE OF EARTH AND MINERAL SCIENCES
14 Deike Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-7482
AssocDeanUED@ems.psu.edu