The Ohio State University School of Earth Sciences

What The Ohio State University School of Earth Sciences does

The Ohio State University School of Earth Sciences is an academic department within the Ohio State University College of Arts and Sciences, located at 275 Mendenhall Laboratory on the OSU campus in Columbus, Ohio. Founded in 1870 as part of the university, the School offers undergraduate programs (BS in Geological Sciences, BS in Climate/Water/Environment, BS in Geophysics, BA in Earth Science), graduate programs (M.S. and Ph.D. in Earth Sciences, plus the only M.S. and Ph.D. programs in Geodetic Science in the United States), and six certificate programs spanning climate change, hydrogeology, marine science, museum curation, petroleum geology, and planetary science. The School operates with 23 faculty, a 2:1 majors-to-faculty ratio, and an average class size of 16, with 100% of undergraduates engaged in research. It houses the Orton Geological Museum (founded 1899) and specialized laboratories including the Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry Lab, Trace Element Research Lab, High-Pressure Mineral Physics Lab, Subsurface Energy Materials Characterization Lab, WHEEL Laboratory, and the newly launched BuckAI Observatory.

The School's research portfolio is organized across four divisions: Earth History, Geodetic Science, Solid Earth Dynamics, and Water/Climate/Environment. Core research infrastructure supports geochemistry, geophysics, mineral physics, and subsurface energy characterization. Revenue is generated through three streams: tuition and fees (allocated via the OSU system), federal and state research grants (NSF, NASA, DOE, NGA, and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources), and private donations/endowments (including the Friends of Orton Hall Fund, Orton Museum Support Fund, Field Camp Experience Travel Fund, and Jessup Endowment). The student segments served are undergraduate majors, graduate researchers, and K-12/community visitors to the Orton Museum. The GTM motion is recruitment-led rather than commercial, with outreach via website, social media, alumni networks, and field camp programs. Faculty leadership includes Director Ian Howat (ENGIE-Axium Professor, Distinguished University Scholar), Associate Directors W. Ashley Griffith and Michael Durand, and dedicated directors for the Orton Museum, BuckAI Observatory, Undergraduate Studies, and Industry Partnerships.

Name

The Ohio State University School of Earth Sciences

Legal name

The Ohio State University School of Earth Sciences

Website

https://earthsciences.osu.edu

Company type

Public

Founded year

1870

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Ohio State University School of Earth Sciences is a public university academic department offering undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs in Earth Sciences, including the only M.S. and Ph.D. in Geodetic Science in the United States. It serves OSU students, conducts federally funded research, and operates specialized analytical laboratories and the Orton Geological Museum.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education — Earth Sciences

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Earth Science & Geoscience Programs (EDAMABAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Science Camps & Field Programs (Nature, Space, Marine, Geology) (EDAMABAB)

Keywords

• Earth sciences education
• Geological sciences programs
• Geodetic science graduate degrees
• Environmental science research
• Higher education instruction

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbus

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Revenue from undergraduate and graduate student tuition and fees
2. Research Grants and Funding: Federal and state research grants from agencies including NSF, NASA, DOE supporting faculty research
3. Private Donations and Endowments: Donations through funds such as Friends of Orton Hall (Fund #642307), Orton Museum Support Fund (Fund #308759), Field Experience Travel Fund (Fund #641882), and Jessup Endowment

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The School of Earth Sciences is an academic department within The Ohio State University that delivers undergraduate and graduate degree programs, certificate programs, and a summer field camp in geological sciences, geophysics, climate/water/environment, earth science, and geodetic science. It supports these programs with specialized research laboratories (TIMS, ICP-OES/MS, mineral physics, subsurface energy materials, WHEEL, BuckAI Observatory) and the Orton Geological Museum for education, research, and public outreach.

Product overview

The Ohio State University School of Earth Sciences is an academic institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational programs and research facilities. The school provides undergraduate degree programs (BS in Geological Sciences, Climate/Water/Environment, Geophysics, and BA in Earth Science), graduate programs (M.S. and Ph.D. in Geodetic Science, M.S./Ph.D. in Earth Sciences), and certificate programs (Climate Change Fundamentals, Hydrogeology, Marine Science, Museum Curation, Petroleum Geology, and Planetary Science). Research infrastructure includes the Trace Element Research Laboratory with ICP-OES and ICP-MS instruments, Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Subsurface Energy Materials Characterization Laboratory, WHEEL Laboratory, and the Orton Geological Museum. The school also offers field-based education through its Summer Field Camp and supports student research through the Summer Research Scholarship Program. The BuckAI Observatory represents the school's initiative to bring cutting-edge AI capabilities to earth sciences research and education.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BuckAI Observatory: A cutting-edge AI observatory initiative bringing artificial intelligence to Earth Sciences research.
• Orton Geological Museum
• SES Summer Research Scholarship Program
• School of Earth Sciences Alumni Mentorship Program
• Friends of Orton Hall

Products and services

• BS Geological Sciences Subprogram Bachelor of Science program providing essential coursework in Earth materials, structure, and exploration for careers in critical minerals, geological sciences, and professional licensure preparation.
• BS Climate, Water, and the Environment Subprogram Bachelor of Science program providing coursework in hydrogeology, geochemistry, natural hazards, climate change, and Earth systems for careers in environmental science and water resources.
• BS Geophysics Subprogram Bachelor of Science program providing training in Earth structure, materials, geochemistry, and subsurface exploration for careers in geophysics, energy transition, and natural hazard assessment.
• BA Program in Earth Science Bachelor of Arts program combining training in earth and natural sciences with opportunities to develop communication skills for careers in science writing, policy, and communication.
• M.S. Degree in Geodetic Science Master of Science degree in Geodetic Science, the only M.S. in Geodetic Science program in the United States, focusing on measurement of space, mass, time, reference systems, and gravity.
• Ph.D. in Geodetic Science Doctoral degree in Geodetic Science, the only Ph.D. in Geodetic Science program in the United States, offering advanced research in geodesy, GNSS, and spatial measurement sciences.
• Climate Change Fundamentals Certificate Certificate program providing foundational knowledge in climate change mechanisms, impacts, and mitigation strategies for undergraduate and graduate students.
• Hydrogeology Certificate Certificate program for undergraduate and graduate students focusing on groundwater distribution, movement, quality, and management for drinking water, industry, and agriculture.
• Marine Science Certificate Certificate program for undergraduate and graduate students covering marine geology, oceanography, and marine ecosystem science.
• Natural History Museum Curation Certificate Certificate program for undergraduate and graduate students training in museum collections management, specimen preservation, and public education.
• Petroleum Geology Certificate Certificate program for undergraduate and graduate students covering petroleum systems, exploration techniques, and energy resources.
• Planetary Science Certificate Certificate program for undergraduate students focusing on planetary geology, solar system science, and comparative planetology.
• Summer Field Camp Intensive field-based geological education program where students apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings for mapping geological structures and analyzing rock formations.
• Summer Research Scholarship Program Summer scholarship program enabling Earth Science majors to conduct research with faculty, offering full ($7,200), half ($3,600), and quarter ($1,800) summer options.
• Orton Geological Museum Museum showcasing Earth's geological heritage with fossil and mineral specimens, educational displays, and hands-on learning experiences for students and the public.

Quantifiable outcome

• 98.5% employment rate for Earth Science degree graduates
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability7 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Byrd Polar and Climate Research CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative research center with shared faculty appointments and joint research programs in polar and climate science, particularly Antarctic research and glaciology
• National Science Foundation (NSF)coreOthersPrimary federal research funding source for polar research including Antarctic fieldwork, Dry Valley Drilling Project, McMurdo LTER, and various faculty research programs
• POLENET ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational research collaboration installing GPS and seismometer networks across West Antarctica; SES faculty and students participate in field installations
• McMurdo Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term ecological research program in Antarctica involving SES faculty and graduate student research expeditions
• NASAcoreOthersFunding source for GRACE mission research, satellite missions, and related geodesy and climate research projects
• U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)coreOthersFunding for energy-related research including carbon storage, geothermal, and subsurface energy research through National Energy Technology Laboratory
• Ohio Department of Natural ResourcesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Ohio Geological Survey for student research opportunities and professional pathways
• National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)coreOthersGeodetic science research partnership through alumni connections; supports geomatics and geospatial intelligence research

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• UC Berkeley Department of Earth and Planetary Science: Large public university earth sciences department offering BA, BS, MA, and Ph.D. programs with similar breadth across geology, geophysics, and environmental earth science, and comparable field-camp and research-engagement model.
• Columbia University Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences: Ivy League earth sciences department offering undergraduate and graduate degrees with strengths in geochemistry, geophysics, and climate, anchored at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and thus a close structural analog.
• MIT Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences: Elite private university earth sciences department offering BS, M.S., and Ph.D. programs across geology, geobiology, geochemistry, geophysics, and atmospheric science, with comparable laboratory infrastructure and research-heavy faculty model.
• Harvard Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences: Private university earth sciences department offering concentrations and graduate degrees across earth history, geophysics, and climate science, comparable to OSU in scale and research intensity.
• University of Wisconsin–Madison Department of Geoscience: Public R1 university geoscience department with BS/BA, MS, and PhD programs and specializations in geochemistry, geophysics, hydrogeology, and climate, comparable to OSU in scope and field-based research.
• Yale University Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences: Private university earth sciences department offering undergraduate and graduate degrees across earth history, geochemistry, geophysics, and climate science, with a similar low student-to-faculty research model.
• University of Michigan Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences: Large public university earth sciences department with comparable BS, MS, and Ph.D. offerings across geology, geochemistry, geophysics, and earth-system science, including strong industry and government research funding.
• University of Texas at Austin Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences: Major public university earth sciences department with extensive geoscience research portfolio including the Jackson School, and shared emphasis on energy resources, geophysics, and earth-surface processes.
• Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability – Earth & Planetary Science: Top-tier research university earth sciences school offering undergraduate and graduate degrees with concentrations in geology, geophysics, geochemistry, and energy resources, and a similar focus on energy transition and earth hazards research.
• Caltech Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences: Private research university division covering geology, geobiology, geochemistry, geophysics, and planetary science, with similar high faculty-student research ratios and federally funded research portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/osuearthscience
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC845QF58wKOvnaoB0IZRfXw
• Facebookfacebook.com/osuearthscience
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/osuearthscience
• Instagraminstagram.com/osuearthscience

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Ohio State University School of Earth Sciences