Anthropology & Earth Science
The MSUM Department of Anthropology & Earth Science offers three major programs, Anthropology, Geosciences & Earth Science Education. It provides a broad-based curriculum that blends the study of people and the Earth to help students understand the influences that have shaped both land and culture. Courses are taught by distinguished faculty who are highly active in conducting research and are frequently published in scholarly journals.
This degree weaves coursework through a variety of majors, with cross-listed classes in anthropology, geosciences, mathematics, biology, chemistry, geology and geospatial analysis, giving you a broad foundation and well-rounded experience to become a highly desired employee or graduate school candidate.
You will work in well-equipped labs and receive hands-on training with cutting-edge technology such as GPS equipment, GIS software, high precision GPS receivers, geospatial apps, geophysical equipment and drones.
Faculty actively engage with you to gain hands-on experience throughout your academic career. You will enjoy opportunities to participate in an array of field trips, conduct studies at the Regional Science Center, learn how to operate technical GPS equipment, conduct research with faculty mentors and attend local, regional and national conferences.
You’ll spend time observing, assisting and teaching in local classrooms for more than 100 hours prior to your student teaching experience, so you’ll be exceptionally prepared to lead your own classroom. Fieldwork is also a critical component of the major. You may participate in multiple formal field experiences, including one-day and multi-day field trips to see regional geology, an elective multi-week course, and possibilities for field work as part of research projects carried out with faculty.
MSUM’s Center for Geospatial studies has joined the global conversation on how to access, create and share geospatial data to enrich the lives of its community and to involve students in this cutting-edge technology.
The certificate in Geographic Information Science is an excellent add on if you’re interested in careers in Earth science. GIS is used widely in business, government, education, transportation, urban planning and other industries, for everything from decision making and strategic planning to environmental management and marketing.
The hallmark of the Anthropology & Earth Science department at MSUM is the dedicated faculty mentoring you receive beginning your freshman year through graduation. You will immerse yourself in meaningful, hands-on experiences that prepare you for interesting careers.
Learn about all the Anthropology & Earth Science department program opportunities