The Department of Geological Sciences at San Diego State University has always been known for its strong field-oriented undergraduate and graduate programs. Industry has favored the SDSU department of Geological Sciences because of its practical, application-oriented education. Students educated in Geological Sciences at SDSU work at all levels locally, nationally, and internationally in such diverse areas as petroleum exploration, environmental remediation, and K-12 teaching.
As the Geological Sciences have evolved from a discipline dominated by field-mapping and qualitative interpretation into the quantitative, rigorous, and predictive science it is today, SDSU has been in the forefront. The science curriculum is enhanced by research, an important part of the mission of the SDSU Department of Geological Sciences. Much of the funding supports undergraduate and graduate students, all of whom are required to complete a thesis as part of their degree, adding a emphasis on research and scientific inquiry at all levels of the curriculum.
First Annual Delvers/SDSC Geology Department Alumni Reunion/Field Trip
Spring 1954 -- Death Valley, California
In 1931, then San Diego State Teachers College moved to its present location and Baylor Brooks, now Professor Emeritus of Geology, organized a one-person Department of Geology in the Division of Physical Sciences. Baylor had received his B.A. degree from Stanford and did graduate work at Oxford and University of Arizona. His enthusiasm for geology influenced many students. Although only beginning courses and a minor in geology were offered, the department became well known because of the caliber of students that Baylor sent to U.C. Berkeley, Stanford, U.C.L.A. and U.S.C. to complete their undergraduate and graduate education.
The department was expanded to two in 1949 and an A.B. degree established in 1954. By 1959, two more faculty members had been added and the A.B. was replaced by a B.S. degree. The department moved into the new Chemistry-Geology building in 1960. Two more faculty and an M.S. degree were added in the following year. The next eleven years to 1972 represent the period of greatest expansion with the addition of eleven faculty positions.
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