Chair, Professor of Geosciences
David Bailey
David Bailey's current research focuses on the history of igneous and tectonic activity in the northeastern United States and on the mineralogy of New York State.
Geoarchaeology
Your research-oriented courses will include specialized training that typically is available only to graduate students at large institutions. Hamilton is one of the rare undergraduate institutions that offer a geoarchaeology major: As a major, you may conduct field research in geology and archaeology at sites in the Florida Keys, Hawaii or the European Alps. You’ll regularly do field work in Central New York. Student research with faculty members could lead to publication in a scholarly journal or to a presentation at a conference.
About the Major
The program represents a new generation of innovative, interdisciplinary study in the earth sciences. Using geologic methods and principles to better interpret and understand the archaeologic record, geoarchaeology has undergone tremendous growth in recent decades.
The focus on writing at Hamilton was certainly an advantage to me as a graduate student and researcher. Writing is a hugely important part of science.
Mary Beth Day ’07 — Geosciences major
Geoarchaeology is a research-oriented bridge between geosciences and archaeology, combining a broad course sequence in anthropology, geosciences and supporting fields with specialized coursework and a senior project. The focus is on topics such as geochronology, stratigraphic succession, paleoenvironmental reconstruction and landscape evolution.
Careers After Hamilton
- Senior Principal Scientist, Hazen and Sawyer, P.C.
- Ph.D. Student, University of Cambridge
- Acting Executive Director, The Quivira Coalition
Meet Our Faculty
Assistant Professor of Geosciences
Catherine Beck
Catherine Beck studies East African sediments and changes in paleoclimate and paleoenvironment.
Associate Professor of Anthropology and Associate Dean of Faculty
Nathan Goodale
Nathan Goodale's interests include the origin of villages and small-scale, semi-sedentary societies.
Assistant Professor of Anthropology
Colin Quinn
Colin Quinn is an anthropological archaeologist interested in understanding how social inequality first emerged in human societies.
Professor of Anthropology Emeritus (retired)
George T. Jones
George T. Jones conducts archaeological studies in the Intermountain Region of the Western U.S.
A Sampling of Courses
Principles of Geoscience: Geologic Hazards 106F
This course uses fundamental concepts in geology to explore natural hazards such as earthquakes, hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, meteor impacts, wildfires, landslides, and floods. Topics include using the geologic record to understand the frequency and magnitude of past events; the impact humans have on the processes that generate natural hazards; community resilience and risk reduction; and how natural disasters have shaped humanity’s relationship with the environment. Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning.
View All CoursesPrinciples of Geoscience: Evolution and the Environment 115S
This course looks at the intersection of life and earth history as a lens for understanding fundamental concepts in geology. Evolution will be studied on multiple scales from the origins of life in deep time, to hominin evolution in the Quaternary, to looking ahead to how we may have to culturally evolve in the face of anthropogenic climate change. Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning.
View All CoursesSedimentology and Stratigraphy 211S
A study of the genesis and diagenesis of clastic, carbonate, evaporite and other important sediments and rocks. Emphasis on fluid dynamics of grain transport, facies architecture, seismic stratigraphy and paleoclimatic/ tectonic significance of depositional sequences. Three hours of class and three hours of laboratory with field trips. Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning.
View All CoursesMineralogy 220F
An introduction to crystallography, crystal chemistry and optical mineralogy. Identification of minerals by physical, optical and X-ray diffraction techniques. Six hours of class/laboratory with field trip. Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning.
View All CoursesSoils and the Environment 236F
A study of the formation, classification, utilization and environmental significance of soils. Frequent local field trips. Three hours of class and two hours of laboratory. Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning.
View All CoursesCoastal Geology and Environmental Oceanography 370S
Advanced study of coastal marine processes with an emphasis on environmental issues and case studies. Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning.
View All CoursesToday and Tomorrow
Student Profile
Digging Into Fieldwork in British Columbia
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