Geoarchaeology applies the concepts of geology, geography and other Earth sciences to examine archaeological problems. It provides evidence for the preservation and development of historic sites and physical landscapes, taking into consideration the impact of humans. Surrounded by one of the world’s great outdoor laboratories for geology including a 10,000-year-old archaeological site, Western is well positioned for the study of Geoarchaeology.
Program Overview
Explore the history of the physical Earth and its people.
If you’re interested in uncovering the history of the physical Earth and the societies that inhabited it, you’ll find your niche in the Geoarchaeology emphasis. You’ll gain a geoscience background to support archaeological studies including geologic history, past climates and landscapes that would have impacted societies. The program features a blend of Geology and Anthropology courses and offers fieldwork opportunities in both fields.
The Gunnison Basin is one of the most geologically diverse regions in the world, and Tenderfoot (aka “W”) Mountain, just one mile away from campus, is home to structures dating to the Paleo Indian period—more than 10,000 years ago. Through a combination of rigorous coursework and unparalleled research opportunities, Western Colorado University offers an ideal environment to prepare you for a career or graduate studies in environmental and climate science, policy analysis and research.
Unparalleled research opportunities
All students take to the field every semester on trips that provide an opportunity to visit and explore famous sites, including the Hopi Mesas, Great Sand Dunes, Canyon de Chelly and Arches National Park.
Program Requirements
At Western, course rotations are crafted to encompass a variety of subject fields for a comprehensive education and versatile degree. For required courses and degree plans, visit the official University Catalog. Below is a general overview of courses at Western Colorado University related to this area of study.
Program Requirements
The Geoarchaeology Emphasis requires a minimum of 64 credits:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GEOL 101 | Physical Geology (GT-SC2) | 3 |
| or GEOL 103 | Earth and Energy Systems | |
| GEOL 105 | Physical Geology Laboratory (GT-SC1) | 1 |
| GEOL 201 | Historical Geology (with laboratory) | 4 |
| GEOL 302 | Geoscience Writing | 2 |
| GEOL 310 | Stratigraphy and Sedimentation (with laboratory) | 4 |
| GEOL 315 | Earth Materials (with laboratory) | 4 |
| GEOL 320 | Geomorphology (with laboratory) | 4 |
| GEOL 345 | Structural Geology (with laboratory) | 4 |
| GEOL 450 | Field Geology | 4 |
| One of the following: | 3 | |
GEOL 411 | Research in Volcanology and Petrology (with laboratory) | |
GEOL 420 | Research in Geomorphology (with laboratory) | |
GEOL 435 | Research in Structure and Tectonics (with laboratory) | |
GEOL 465 | Research in Basin Analysis (with laboratory) | |
| Required Supporting Courses | ||
| ANTH 107 | Introduction to General Anthropology (GT-SS3) | 3 |
| ANTH 218 | Biological Anthropology (with laboratory) | 4 |
| ANTH 219 | Archaeology (with laboratory) | 4 |
| ANTH 230 | Cultural Anthropology (with laboratory) | 4 |
| GEOG 340 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| Select two of the following: | 7-8 | |
ANTH 322 | Analysis of Material Culture (with laboratory) | |
ANTH 333 | Archaeology of Colorado | |
ANTH 469 | Archaeology Field School | |
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
CHEM 101 | Introduction to Inorganic Chemistry (GT-SC2) | |
CHEM 111 & CHEM 112 | General Chemistry I (GT-SC2) and General Chemistry Laboratory I (GT-SC1) | |
| One of the following: | 3 | |
MATH 113 | Statistical Thinking (GT-MA1) | |
MATH 213 | Probability and Statistics (GT-MA1) | |
| Total Credits | 64-66 | |
Capstone Course Requirement
GEOL 450 Field Geology
Graduation Requirements
Undergraduate programs require a minimum of 120 semester credits for graduation. Of those 120 credits, 40 credits must be in upper-division courses (those marked 300 and above). Fifteen of these 40 upper-division credits must be earned in courses that are part of the standard or comprehensive major program being pursued.
Students are expected to review all graduation requirements, which can be found in the Western Undergraduate Catalog: Graduation Requirements.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| CHEM 111 | General Chemistry I (GT-SC2) | 3 |
| CHEM 112 | General Chemistry Laboratory I (GT-SC1) | 1 |
| GEOL 101 | Physical Geology (GT-SC2) | 3 |
| GEOL 105 | Physical Geology Laboratory (GT-SC1) | 1 |
| HWTR 100 | First Year Seminar | 1 |
| MATH 141 | Precalculus (GT-MA1) (or higher, depending on MATH placement) 1 | 4 |
| Gen Ed | General Education Courses | 3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENG 102 | Writing and Rhetoric I (GT-CO1) | 3 |
| GEOL 201 | Historical Geology (with laboratory) | 4 |
| MATH 113 | Statistical Thinking (GT-MA1) | 3 |
| ANTH 107 | Introduction to General Anthropology (GT-SS3) | 3 |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| CS 190 or GEOG 340 or MATH 213 or MATH 252 |
Computer Science I or Introduction to Geographic Information Systems or Probability and Statistics (GT-MA1) or Calculus III |
3 |
| GEOL 302 | Geoscience Writing | 2 |
| GEOL 310 | Stratigraphy and Sedimentation (with laboratory) | 4 |
| Elective | Elective | 3 |
| ANTH 218 | Biological Anthropology (with laboratory) | 4 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENG 103 | Writing and Rhetoric II (GT-CO2) | 3 |
| GEOL 315 | Earth Materials (with laboratory) | 4 |
| Gen Ed | General Education Courses | 3 |
| ANTH 230 | Cultural Anthropology (with laboratory) | 4 |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| GEOL 345 | Structural Geology (with laboratory) | 4 |
| Gen Ed | General Education Courses | 6 |
| GEOL 320 | Geomorphology (with laboratory) | 4 |
| ANTH 219 | Archaeology (with laboratory) | 4 |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Spring | ||
| Elective | Elective | 4 |
| Gen Ed | General Education Courses | 6 |
| ANTH 333 | Archaeology of Colorado | 3 |
| GEOG 340 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Summer | ||
| GEOL 450 | Field Geology | 4 |
| Credits | 4 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| Elective | Electives | 12 |
| ANTH 322 | Analysis of Material Culture (with laboratory) | 4 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| GEOL 411 or GEOL 420 or GEOL 435 or GEOL 465 |
Research in Volcanology and Petrology (with laboratory) or Research in Geomorphology (with laboratory) or Research in Structure and Tectonics (with laboratory) or Research in Basin Analysis (with laboratory) |
3 |
| Elective | Electives | 9 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 125 | |
- 1
Geology requires completion of mathematics through Calculus II. Additional mathematics courses may be required and would fill Elective courses as needed.
Careers
Take the first steps toward your dream career.
Career preparation is the primary focus of every academic program at Western. Our professors and Office of Career Services will help you identify your strengths, hone your skills, define your goals, and prepare for a fulfilling role in hundreds of professional fields after graduation.
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Scholarships
Western’s Scholarship Application portal allows you to search for, apply to and manage your scholarship opportunities. This platform houses over 300+ departmental and privately funded scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students. Through the scholarship portal, students may identify scholarship opportunities based on academic program, campus involvement, academic standing, specific keywords and more. Students may click below to begin learning about what scholarship opportunities are available to them.
Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.
Find your scholarships!Western’s Scholarship Application portal allows you to search for, apply to and manage your scholarship opportunities. This platform houses over 300+ departmental and privately funded scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students. Through the scholarship portal, students may identify scholarship opportunities based on academic program, campus involvement, academic standing, specific keywords and more. Students may click below to begin learning about what scholarship opportunities are available to them.
Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.
Find your scholarships!Alumni Association Future Alumni Scholarship
The Alumni Association Scholarship is a one-time scholarship of $1,000 and is applicable for the student’s junior or senior year at Western.
Any child or grandchild of an alumni is eligible to receive the Future Alumni Scholarship.
- This is a one-time non-renewable scholarship of $1,000.
- Only one Future Alumni Scholarship will be awarded per academic year.
- GPA must be 3.2 or above (college).
Due date has been extended to April 30 for 2024. An Alumni selection committee, appointed by the Alumni Advisory Council, will review applicants and select awardee by June 1.
Alumni Legacy Scholarship
The Alumni Legacy Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western (incoming freshman or new transfer students are eligible).
Do you have a son or daughter looking at college? Have they considered attending Western? As an alumni, your son, daughter and/or grandchildren are eligible for certain benefits distributed through this scholarship, as follows:
- This is a one-time scholarship of $1,000.
- Nominee must be an incoming first-year student or new transfer.
- The cost of orientation is reduced by half (a $45 value).
- The admission application fee is waived (a $30 value).
- GPA must be 2.5 or above (high school or college of transfer).
The applicant must fill out the application form found below. Application forms are accepted year-round. If the applicant meets the GPA guidelines, the scholarship will be awarded.
Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship
The Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western. This scholarship is not available to midyear transfers or students beginning in the spring semester.
Are you an alumni or employee of Western and know a prospective (or incoming) student who would be a great fit at Western? A recommendation from alumni and employees can support any new student and provide them a $500 scholarship their first year. (Western employees may not recommend a spouse or dependent receiving tuition benefits).
- Any Western alumni/employee may nominate only one student per academic year to receive the $500 scholarship (distributed $250 per semester).
- The scholarship is good for the first year only and is non-renewable.
- The recommended student must be a full-time undergraduate student, attending Western for the first time.
The applicant must fill out the application form found here. The nominating alumni/employee must fill out the application form and submit the required documents by June 1. The recommended student must meet university admissions acceptance standards and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The Presidential Promise is guaranteed to students who have received a scholarship through the Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) and/or GearUp—and are eligible for a Pell Grant.
For students who meet these criteria, Western will cover the cost of tuition and fees through the combination of federal, state and institutional aid. For more information on the Presidential Promise, visit our scholarships page.
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) or Central Plains (CP) tuition represents a substantial savings relative to normal, out-of-state tuition. Students eligible for the WUE or CP program will be charged 150% of Western’s total in-state tuition. For 2018-19, total in-state tuition was $8,934. WUE/CP tuition was $13,401. The WUE/CP discount is valued at $4,695.
For more information about the WUE and CP geography-based programs, visit Western’s Tuition Discount Programs Page.
Immediately upon acceptance at Western, every student is considered for a merit scholarship worth between $2,500-$4,500 per year for in-state students and $8,000-$10,000 for out-of-state students. The amount is based on the student’s GPA and ACT/SAT scores. Visit our Net Price Calculator at western.edu/cost to determine whether you qualify for a merit scholarship.
For more information about merit scholarships at Western, visit our scholarships page.
Get Involved
Take your education beyond the classroom.
Get the hands-on learning experience you need to apply your knowledge and launch your career.
- Fieldwork: Students explore the Elk, West Elk and San Juan ranges; the Black Canyon and Gunnison Gold Belt; the active tectonics of the Rio Grande Rift and more.
- Geology Club: The Geology Club is active in fundraising for student experiences, including field trips and attending professional conferences.
- Geology Scholarships and Awards: Four annual scholarships, from generous geology alumni donations, are awarded to geology students to help offset educational costs.
- Research Funding: The Bartleson-Prather Fund provides students with scholarships and research stipends.
Geology + Anthropology
The Geoarchaeology program features a blend of Geology and Anthropology courses and offers vast fieldwork opportunities in both fields including the study of geologic history, past climates and landscapes that would have impacted societies.
News & Research
Department Information
Natural & Environmental Sciences (NES) Department
Department Chairperson
Anne W. Ryter, Ph.D.Professor of Chemistry
Administrative Assistant
Lori ClementNES Administrative Assistant
Campus Location
Western Colorado University
Hurst Hall 128
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231
