Department of Geology & Geography

Geology & Geography offers a rich, interdisciplinary education in the natural and human sciences. With a comprehensive Geo鈥慐nvironmental Studies major, robust minors in , and and a certificate in , students explore Earth鈥檚 physical processes, spatial analysis and environmental systems. The department supports hands鈥憃n learning through field seminars, undergraduate research (including local groundwater monitoring), internships and cutting鈥慹dge lab, cartography and geographical information systems(GIS) experiences 鈥� preparing graduates for impactful careers in science, engineering, planning and environmental management.

麻豆社区P offers pathways that connect your curiosity about the world with practical skills to solve real鈥憌orld problems. Whether you鈥檙e drawn to the hands鈥憃n innovation of our Geoscience and Engineering 3+2 Dual Degree Program or the cutting鈥慹dge mapping and analysis in GIS and Geospatial Technologies, you鈥檒l find programs designed to broaden your expertise and open doors to impactful careers.

Male student in a white 麻豆社区 Pembroke hoodie at a desk in a colorful classroom. Female stuents sit behind and in front of him. He's looking thoughtfully up and to the front of the classroom. The women are both intent on the work in front of them on their desks.

3+2 Dual-Degree Program

Looking for a career that fuses your passion for the environment with cutting-edge engineering solutions? The Dual-Degree Program in Geoscience and Engineering at 麻豆社区 Pembroke provides the best of both worlds at an incredible value: a powerful interdisciplinary education that prepares you for real-world challenges 鈥� from climate change and natural disasters to sustainable infrastructure and energy.

You'll start with geoscience at 麻豆社区P for three years, then attend NC State for two years, finishing with both a BS in Geo-Environmental Studies from 麻豆社区P and a BS from NCSU in either Civil or Envirionmental Engineering. Get mentorship and guidance at every step 鈥� then graduate with two powerful degrees and a competitive edge.

What You鈥檒l Gain:
鈥� Hands-on fieldwork in geology, hydrology, GIS, and environmental science

Rigorous engineering training from one of the top engineering schools in the nation
A professional network at two respected universities
A career-ready foundation for jobs in environmental consulting, civil engineering, water resources, geotechnical engineering, and more.

Drone view of a construction site for 麻豆社区 Pembroke's James A. Thomas Hall, home of the Thomas College of Business & Economics

Geospatial Technologies & Geographic Information Systems

Turn your interest in geography and technology into a high鈥慽mpact career. 麻豆社区P鈥檚 Geospatial Technologies Certificate and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) coursework give you hands鈥憃n experience with industry鈥憇tandard software, drones (sUAS), and other cutting鈥慹dge tools.

Learn from experts in small classes with personalized mentoring.
Build real鈥憌orld skills through labs, fieldwork, and drone operations.
Stand out to employers with projects that showcase your ability to solve complex spatial challenges.

Our programs prepare you for careers in environmental science, urban planning, public safety, logistics, and more鈥攆ields where GIS skills are in high demand.

Ready to put your future on the map? Start your GIS journey at 麻豆社区P!

Students in the Geology and Geography program have access to two scholarships and a national honors society tailored especially for them.

The Thomas Ross Geography Scholarship

Created by Professor Emeritus Thomas Ross, this annual spring award celebrates outstanding students who bring geography to life鈥攚hether pursuing the Geography track within the Geo鈥慐nvironmental Studies major, earning a Geography minor, or proudly representing 麻豆社区P in the World Geography Bowl. It鈥檚 more than a scholarship; it鈥檚 a recognition of passion, curiosity, and a commitment to exploring our world.

David K. Kuo Memorial Scholarship

The David K. Kuo Memorial Scholarship honors the incredible legacy of two beloved 麻豆社区P professors, Dr. David K. Kuo (Biology) and Dr. Elizabeth H. Kuo (Geography), who together dedicated nearly six decades to inspiring and shaping generations of students.

Established by the Kuo family and their friends, this scholarship celebrates their passion for learning and their deep impact on the university community.

Each year, the scholarship supports one full鈥憈ime undergraduate student in Biology and one in Geo鈥慐nvironmental studies. Financial need is not a requirement.The award offers valuable support to students eager to pursue their academic and career goals.

Nu Gamma chapter of Gamma Theta Upsilon

Gamma Theta Upsilon (GTU), Nu Gamma Chapter at 麻豆社区P, offers high鈥慳chieving Geography students a nationally recognized honor and a wealth of opportunities.

Membership in this prestigious international honor society signals academic excellence鈥攔eserved for students who rank among the top in their class and maintain a strong GPA in geography coursework.

At 麻豆社区P, Nu Gamma members join a community that values exploration, research, and service, while gaining access to national GTU scholarships, eligibility to publish in The Geographical Bulletin, and opportunities to participate in special programs.

Beyond the credentials on your r茅sum茅, Nu Gamma membership connects you to a network of geographers and opens doors to leadership, professional development, and events that celebrate and advance the field.

Hands-On Research. Real-World Impact.

Faculty and students in 麻豆社区P鈥檚 Department of Geology and Geography collaborate in meaningful research that connects classroom learning with real-world applications. One standout initiative is the Robeson County Groundwater Monitoring Project 鈥� a collaborative effort with the Robeson County Water Department, local well drillers, and other partners to monitor and protect our region鈥檚 groundwater resources.

This project has become a powerful catalyst for student success and program growth. Through faculty mentorship and hands-on experience, students help build and maintain a monitoring well network across campus and throughout the county. As paid interns, they are trained to collect and analyze water levels and usage data, manage a public-facing online geodatabase and digitize historical well records, geophysical logs and other key environmental data.

The impact is twofold: students gain valuable skills and professional development opportunities, and our local communities benefit from accessible, up-to-date water resource data. The project has also played a key role in identifying long-term groundwater trends 鈥� helping water managers make informed decisions and avoid future usage restrictions.

At 麻豆社区P, we don鈥檛 just study the environment 鈥� we help protect it.

Crew drilling a well for the Robeson County Groundwater Monitoring Project.

Geoscience

Undergraduate students at 麻豆社区P have access to advanced resources and small class sizes enable students greater acces not only to the equipment but also faculty expertise and collaboration.

Epic 100, a robotic camera mount that automatically captures and stitches hundreds of overlapping photos into single, incredibly detailed gigapixel panoramic images.
Access to nearby electron microprobe and SEM facility: , offering state-of-the-art microanalytical and imaging capabilities
Research-grade petrographic microscope and student petrographic scopes
Virtual 3D aquifer model
A large collection of minerals, rocks, fossils and 3D models
Impregnation equipment for rock samples
Rock saw and sieve shaker
GPR - XV Monitor, a dedicated data acquisition platform and user interface specifically designed for Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) systems
Photometer YSI 9500, a portable, direct-reading instrument used for rapid and accurate measurement of various chemical parameters in water quality analysis through colorimetric principles.
Multiprobes YSI ProDSS, a handheld multiparameter designed for comprehensive water quality measurement and monitoring across a wide range of environmental applications.

And so many more tools and resources to help you pursue your passions.

Cartography Lab

Discover a versatile environment designed for creating advanced maps, modeling real-world landscapes, and exploring the vast potential of geospatial data.

Desktops and workstations
Geospatial and geoscience-specific software
- , a comprehensive, industry-standard software platform used for creating, managing, analyzing, and visualizing geographic information and maps.
- , a powerful tool for visualizing, modeling, and analyzing subsurface geological data, from borehole logs to 3D geological models.
- , a professional photogrammetry software that generates 3D spatial data from digital images, creating models, orthomosaics, and Digital Elevation Models (DEMs).
- Adobe Creative Suite
- others
Vaquform DT2 Professional Desktop Thermoformer, a compact, high-performance machine that uses heat and vacuum to quickly create custom plastic parts and molds from sheets of thermoplastic.
Large-format printer
Lulzbot 3D Printer

Drones (sUAS)

Geology & Geography, employs small Unmanned Aerial Systems used for a variety of field work.

Please contact the department if you have questions regarding sUAS classes under the if you are considering flying a sUAS on campus for any reason.