Department of Geosciences

We take advantage of our location in the Northern Rockies and offer students affordable tuition and cost of living.  Our courses include hands-on learning, field exercises, laboratory experience, and the latest geotechnologies. It is our mission to train students for professional positions or further study. Our programs have a strong record of student career placement in government, industry, and education. Our professors have helped write the book and map for Idaho Geology.  We are proud to host a nationally recognized summer field camp at Lost River Field Station, north of Mackay, Idaho. Discover what ISU Geosciences has to offer.

Not only do we claim a strong field-based program, we have a legacy of national awards to prove it! 

• In 2022, ISU MS alum, Kathleen "Kat" Autenrieth (at Kinross Gold) was recognized as one of the top 100 inspirational Women In Mining
• In 2022, ISU PhD-Geosciences student  Tyler Paladino received the prestigious USGS Mendenhall Research Fellowship.
• In 2020, ISU PhD-Geosciences student Stuart Parker won Best Student Geologic Map at the Annual Meeting of the Geological Society of America.  He is now a staff geologist with the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology.
• In 2019, ISU MS Geology student Dan Brennan won Best Student Map for his work in Custer County, Idaho.  He is now a staff geologist with the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology.
• In 2016, Dr. Ryan Anderson, ISU Assistant Professor and Field Camp Director won Best Student Map for his WSU PhD work in Bolivia.
• In 2013, ISU MS Geology student Robert Mahon won Best Student Map for his work in Death Valley, CA.

• Undergraduate Degrees

• Graduate Degrees

• Geology Field Camp

Do you like Podcasts?  Considering a career in the Geosciences?  Take a listen to "Pathways: A Career Podcast from the Idaho State University Career Center"

• Dr. Ben Crosby: Applying Personal Passions to Career Choices.
• Dr. Leif Tapanila: Combining Interests to Find a Passion.
• ALL Nature of Idaho podcasts.  Great content!

Additional Support for Geology Students

Tutoring Services:

• ISU's Content Area Tutoring supports GEOL 1100 students: https://www.isu.edu/tutoring/ 

Advising:

• Undergraduate - EES: Sarah Godsey (godsey@isu.edu), Geology: Kendra Murray (kendramurray@isu.edu);
• Graduate - Geology/PhD: Dave Pearson (pearson@isu.edu), Geotechnologies/GIS: Carrie Bottenberg (bottcarr@isu.edu)

Student Resources:

• Please reach out to your Professors with course-specific questions
• Please reach out to your advisor (see above) with degree or advising questions
• For any other questions, reach out to Department Chair, Glenn Thackray (glennthackray@isu.edu)

Semester Office Hours:

Monday-Friday, 8am- 5pm.