An education in Earth Science prepares students to address many of the pressing problems facing our society today. Citizens with an understanding of Earth Science will be needed to find energy sources to drive our industrial economy, secure and protect fresh water supplies, face our changing climate, and clean up soil and water contamination.
Earth Science primarily involves applying chemistry, physics, and life sciences to study the processes that shape our planet (and other planets). It is important for students of Earth Science to have a strong grounding in other sciences and mathematics. However, because of the applied nature of the science, it is possible for many Earth Science students to find gainful employment without an advanced degree.
Earth Science is also fundamentally a field-based science. Understanding how to make field observations and measurements is critical to becoming an Earth Scientist. As such, all Earth Science courses at Bennington are designed to get students into the field as early and often as possible.
Fortunately, Bennington is an excellent place to do field-based geology and hydrology. There are excellent local exposures of varying bedrock types, glacial deposits, and stream systems to study. You might find yourself staring at a rock for longer than you thought possible, but actually find it interesting. On another day you could be standing in the middle of a stream measuring its velocity or collecting water samples. Earth science is a great field for those who like to be outside but also enjoy thinking about scientifically challenging questions.