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Department of Earth and Environmental Science

Wheaton College Geology Students at the Grand Canyon 2024

Explore Our Programs

Learn more about our programs, meet our faculty, learn about scholarships, internships, research opportunities, and more.

Wheaton Student with hands on topographical map

Geology Program

At Wheaton, we prepare geoscientists and community leaders for a world of expanding knowledge, diminishing natural resources, and rapid environmental change. You will be equipped to pursue careers and graduate school relevant to water and mineral resources, energy, natural hazards, agriculture, sustainability, environmental consulting, geotechnical engineering, global climate change, and scientific discovery. 

About Geology at Wheaton
Professor Maniero with Environmental Science students doing research in the field

Environmental Science Program

Environmental Science is a problem-based discipline that draws on a broad understanding of biology, geology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics to develop holistic solutions to pressing environmental challenges. At Wheaton, all this is integrated under a strong biblical environmental ethic to comprehensively steward the environment that God has entrusted to us.

About Environmental Science at Wheaton
Wheaton College IL Students on Black Hills Field Trip

Aequitas Fellows Program in Sustainability

The Aequitas Fellows Program in Sustainability offers Wheaton College students a unique, multi-disciplinary opportunity to directly relate their robust Christian liberal arts education to the needs of contemporary society, to develop a personal ethic of creation care, and to practically address global environmental degradation. 

Learn About the Fellowship in Sustainability
Wheaton College Field Station - Inspiration Point
Study in the Black Hills of South Dakota

Wheaton in the Black Hills

The Wheaton College Field Station is the home base for the annual field camp. This camp offers hands-on experience in field methods and regional geology and ecosystem studies for geology and environmental science majors, respectively. Through mapping exercises focused on local geological features, students can integrate their understanding of rocks, minerals, and structural and stratigraphic concepts to gain a comprehensive understanding of the regional geology in the Black Hills. Environmental science majors learn about zoology, botany, and ecology with numerous field trips, experiences, and activities to get a complete picture of the ecosystems there.

 

More About the Field Station
Southwest Trek group

Department Opportunities

With state-of-the-art facilities in the Meyer Science Center, our department supports abundant faculty and student research opportunities. The global campus spans from the Wheaton College Field Station to the International Sustainable Development Studies Institute in Thailand. Field trips, internships, and seminars provide faculty, students, and alumni with opportunities to collaborate on cutting-edge geoscience inquiries. Post-graduation alumni-led trips enhance experiential learning.

More About Department Opportunities
Geology Students with Dr. Keil in Black Hills

Scholarships and Endowed Funds

We want our programs to be accessible to all. We have several scholarships and endowed funds that support our programs beyond aid provided in college financial aid packages.

Scholarships and Endowed Funds
Meyer Science Center - at Wheaton College IL - front

Facilities

The Meyer Science Center, a LEED gold-certified building, features research labs and an extensive array of environmental equipment. The department houses analytical instrumentation such as X-ray diffractometers and spectrometers, while students benefit from nearby resources like Chicago's zoos and forest preserves. Additionally, the Wheaton College Field Station in the Black Hills offers unique ecological and geological study opportunities, including access to iconic national parks and the surrounding areas.

Learn More About Our Facilities

Contact-newsletter-covers-with-drop-shadowCONTACT Newsletter

The CONTACT newsletter is published annually to stay connected with our alumni and former students. We feature stories from faculty, staff, and students, news of interest, lists of publications, and other information about what is happening in the department and in the field. Read the latest issue

Meet Our Faculty

Our faculty are published authors, with numerous publications in prestigious journals and books. They cover diverse areas of earth and environmental science, from tectonics to air quality. These accomplished scholars also foster student growth through mentorship, leading to collaborative research and invaluable field experiences.

bolton-howes-2024Coming in 2025!
We are delighted to announce that Dr. Bolton Howes will be joining our faculty in the fall of 2025 as Assistant Professor of Geology and Director of the Wheaton College Field Station.
Please take a look at Dr. Howes' profile.

 

Department Faculty
Katy Foltz Headshot

Katy Foltz

Lab Manager
Charles "Chris" B. Keil, Ph.D., CIH Headshot

Charles "Chris" B. Keil, Ph.D., CIH

Professor of Environmental Science
Andrew Luhmann, Ph.D. Headshot

Andrew Luhmann, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Geology
Kathryn Maneiro, Ph.D. Headshot

Kathryn Maneiro, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Geology
Stephen Moshier, Ph.D. Headshot

Stephen Moshier, Ph.D.

Professor of Geology Emeritus

Next Steps for Prospective Students

Interested in studying with the Earth and Environmental Science Department at Wheaton? Request more information or start your application today.

Apply to Wheaton Request Information