Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences

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The Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Rutgers University on the New Brunswick/Piscataway Campus is a community of students, faculty members, and research scientists engaged in the exploration of a wide variety of geological problems on Earth and other solar system bodies. We offer both challenging and comprehensive instruction, and students are encouraged to become vital members of this research community. Interdisciplinary studies are fostered through the Rutgers Institute of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences. Several faculty hold joint appointments in Anthropology, Environmental Sciences, and Marine & Coastal Sciences. A weekly Geology Colloquium brings a diversity of Earth Scientists to our Department to discuss the latest research results and new techniques. Our museum exhibits local geology and engages the public with outreach. Left, undergraduates enjoying an outing in NYC

New: Undergraduate major has four options: Geological Sciences, Environmental Geology, Planetary Science, General Option More Info

DEPARTMENT SPOTLIGHT

Are we alone in the universe?  Click for the Star-Ledger article by PROFESSOR NATHAN YEE.

 

Professor Juliane Gross helps NASA open Apollo samples ahead of Artemis missions

 

Research Units

Publications

Undergraduate

Graduate

Upcoming Events

Colloquium
Peter Crockford Talk Title "The geologic history of Earth's biosphere"
Wednesday, February 26, 2020 at 11:30AM
Peter Crockford (Weizmann Institution) Hosted by D...
Colloquium
Leslie Robbins - Talk Title "The Co-evolution of Life & Earth's Surface Environments"
Wednesday, March 04, 2020 at 11:30AM
Leslie Robbins (Yale University) Hosted by Dr. Cla...

View Current Colloquia

Geology Museum

Geology Museum Events
Climate Change Late Night at the Museum
Wednesday, March 04, 2020 at 4:00PM
Stop by on Wednesday, March 4th for our Climate Ch...
Geology Museum Events
CLOSED for Private Event
Friday, March 13, 2020 at 8:00AM
The Museum will be closed on Friday, March 13, 202...

New and Noteworthy

  • Students study Rodinia
    Students study Rodinia
    Information
    Professor Jill VanTongeren led her field methods course to the Adirondacks to look at the formation of  the ancient supercontinent Rodinia. Pictured is the group sitting on top of 1.1 Ga Massif Anorthosites in the High Peaks region and enjoying the view towards Mount Marcy (NY State’s tallest peak) after...
  • Professor Robert Kopp preparing New Jersey for the rising tide
    Professor Robert Kopp preparing New Jersey for the rising tide
    Information
    Since 1900, global average sea level has risen about 8 inches. In New Jersey, sea level has risen even faster – about 1.4 feet over that same period. This is primarily because the land here is sinking, due to both natural forces – the land was pushed up by a giant ice sheet 20,000 years ago and is...
  • Distinguished Professor Yair Rosenthal announced as AGU Fellow
    Distinguished Professor Yair Rosenthal announced as AGU Fellow
    Information
    We are proud to share the news that Dr. Yair Rosenthal has been announced as a 2019 fellow of the American Geophysical Union (AGU), an honor given to individual AGU members who have made exceptional scientific contributions and gained prominence in their respective fields of Earth and space...
  • Books by Professor McGhee
    Books by Professor McGhee
    Information
    Distinguished Professor George R. McGhee's books about his research on macro-evolutionary processes, including a new title from The Vienna Series in Theoretical Biology on convergent evolution: "Convergent Evolution on Earth, Lessons for the Search for Extraterrestrial Life"(Massachusetts...