About

U of I Geology: An experience like no other.

Learn by doing:

Engage in active research and work closely with internationally recognized faculty while you learn how our planet works and how to think critically about the Earth system.

Train for a career:

Our graduates work in geological and environmental consulting, land use and planning, resource and energy exploration and production, natural hazard mitigation, and many other professions with a degree from the state's leading public research institution.

Join the team:

Our enthusiastic and talented undergraduate and graduate students, faculty members, and staff are part of a close-knit, inclusive, and supportive community, strengthened by unmatched field and lab experiences in the inter-mountain northwest.

Research that changes the world:

Study how the Earth and our solar system changes and evolves and produce results that change the world! Whether you are interested in studying mid-ocean ridge dynamics at the bottom of the Atlantic, rain and snow chemistry at the top of the Rockies, ice sheet physics at the edges of Greenland, or weathering on the surface of Mars, our department offers an abundance of opportunities for students to engage with faculty in research nearby, around and into Earth, and to the edges of our solar system.

Explore Geology at UI:

Check out one of our exciting introductory offerings: Physical Geology (GEOL 101) and Historical Geology (GEOL 102).

Learn more about pursuing a major and our upper level courses.

Contemplating graduate school? Check out our Research page.