University of Utah - Department of Geology & Geophysics

What University of Utah - Department of Geology & Geophysics does

The Department of Geology & Geophysics is an academic unit within the University of Utah's College of Mines and Earth Sciences, headquartered in the Frederick Albert Sutton Building on the Salt Lake City campus. It delivers undergraduate programs — B.S. in Geoscience (with Geology or Geophysics emphases), B.S. in Geological Engineering (ABET-accredited, one of only 13 such programs nationally), B.S. in Earth Science Composite Teaching (with an accelerated BS/MEd licensure pathway), B.S. in Earth & Environmental Science, and an Earth Science Minor — alongside M.S., M.Eng., and Ph.D. degrees in Geology, Geophysics, and Geological Engineering. Enrolment totals approximately 99 undergraduates, 41 master's students, and 37 PhD students, taught by 24 tenure-track professors, 11 research professors, and 11 emeritus professors (33% women faculty; 48% women students).

The department operates a portfolio of specialized research laboratories including the Utah Paleomagnetic Center, the Utah Geohazards Research Group, the Rock & Mineral Physics Laboratory, the Noise Lab for seismic interferometry and ambient noise tomography, the SPATIAL Lab (isotope geochemistry, paleoclimate, carbon cycle, water cycle), the Earth Core Facility, the Noble Gas Lab, and an Electron Microprobe. It also maintains the Utah Seismograph Stations, a statewide seismic monitoring network used for earthquake detection and research partnerships with the National Park Service (Arches and Canyonlands) and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's Advanced Light Source. Research output has appeared in Science (Yellowstone magmatic system) and Nature Geoscience (new stiff mantle layer). Field-based training leverages Utah's geology — rocks from every geological period are exposed — with signature international experience provided through the annual Taiwan Field Course in active tectonics.

Funding flows from three streams: tuition and fees (including the NSF Noyce Teacher Scholarship at $10,000 annually for Earth Science Teaching students), externally sponsored research grants (primarily NSF and federal agencies), and alumni donations and endowments such as the David and Inga M. Chapman Endowed Scholarship. As a government state entity within a public research university, the department does not publish standalone revenue figures. Customers are primarily prospective and current students across degree levels, with secondary service relationships to state and federal agencies for seismic and geological hazard work, and to K-12 pipelines through the teacher scholarship program.

Name

University of Utah - Department of Geology & Geophysics

Legal name

The University of Utah - Department of Geology & Geophysics

Website

https://earth.utah.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1850

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Department of Geology & Geophysics is an academic unit within the University of Utah's College of Mines and Earth Sciences that delivers undergraduate and graduate degrees in geoscience, geological engineering, and earth science teaching, supported by specialized research labs in seismology, paleomagnetism, geohazards, and mineral physics.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education - Earth Sciences & Geological Engineering

NAICS

Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (541360), Testing Laboratories and Services (54138), Environmental Consulting Services (541620)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Oil & Gas Field Exploration Services (1382)

akta.pro primary industry

Earth Science & Geoscience Programs (EDAMABAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Seismic & Geoscience Services (Acquisition, Processing, Interpretation) (EUALABAK), Mineral Exploration & Geoscience Services (Geology, Geophysics, Geochemistry, Resource Modeling) (IMAKAKAA), Geotechnical Site Investigation & Engineering Geology (Borings, Lab Testing) (EUAHAFAE)

Keywords

• Geoscience education
• Geological engineering
• Earth science research
• Seismology studies
• Paleomagnetism research

Headquarters

HQ city

Salt Lake City

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, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Revenue from undergraduate and graduate tuition, with specific scholarship programs for geoscience students including field camp scholarships and NSF Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program providing $10,000 annually for Earth Science Teaching students
2. Research Grants and Contracts: External funding from NSF, federal agencies, and industry partners supporting faculty research in seismology, geohazards, paleoclimatology, and other geoscience disciplines
3. Donations and Endowments: Gifts from alumni and friends including endowed scholarships such as the David and Inga M. Chapman Endowed Scholarship supporting graduate and undergraduate student research opportunities

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Department of Geology & Geophysics delivers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in Geoscience, Geological Engineering, Earth Science Teaching, and Earth & Environmental Science, supported by specialized research laboratories. It trains geoscientists to locate mineral, energy, and groundwater resources, assess seismic and geologic hazards, and evaluate environmental contamination through a curriculum combining chemistry, physics, mathematics, and biology.

Product overview

The Department of Geology & Geophysics offers a comprehensive suite of academic degree programs and research laboratories. At the undergraduate level, it provides B.S. degrees in Geoscience (with Geology or Geophysics emphases), Geological Engineering (ABET-accredited), and Earth Science Composite Teaching, along with an Earth Science minor. Graduate education includes M.S. and Ph.D. programs in Geology, Geophysics, and Geological Engineering. The department operates multiple specialized research laboratories including the Utah Paleomagnetic Center, Utah Geohazards Research Group, Rock & Mineral Physics Laboratory, and Noise Lab for seismic imaging. The department ranks within the top 50 Earth Science programs in the United States (US News & World Report) and maintains 24 tenure-track professors, 11 research professors, and 11 emeritus professors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• B.S. in Geoscience An undergraduate degree program with emphasis options in Geology (study of Earth's composition, structure, and history) or Geophysics (using physical fields to identify hazards and resources within Earth's interior). Prepares students for careers in environmental geology, petroleum geology, seismology, paleontology, and related fields.
• B.S. in Geological Engineering An ABET-accredited engineering degree program linking geology and engineering, one of only 13 such programs nationwide. Trains students to work across disciplinary boundaries in civil/mining engineering, geothermal/petroleum energy development, water resources, and environmental remediation. Graduates are prepared to become licensed professional engineers.
• B.S. in Earth Science Composite Teaching An interdisciplinary secondary education teaching degree preparing students to teach middle school science, high school Earth and space science, astronomy, geology, meteorology, and AP Environmental Science. Includes accelerated BS/MEd pathway for teacher licensure, supported by NSF Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program providing $10,000 annually.
• Earth Science Minor An 18-credit minor comprising core courses on Earth systems and history with electives covering geologic hazards, sustainable energy, paleontology and geobiology, and oceanography.
• Graduate Programs (M.S., M.E. & Ph.D.) Masters of Science degrees in Geology, Geophysics & Geological Engineering; Masters of Engineering degree; and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Geology, Geophysics & Geological Engineering. Includes 41 M.S. students and 37 Ph.D. students currently in the program.
• Taiwan Field Course A study abroad program exploring active tectonics in Taiwan through classroom instruction and an 8-day field trip during spring break, covering topics including tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, and geothermal energy.

Quantifiable outcome

• Top 50 Earth Science program ranking in US News & World Report
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Taiwan Universities and Research InstitutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual Taiwan Field Course exploring active tectonics in Taiwan with partnerships with Taiwanese universities for the 8-day spring break field trip. The partnership enables students to study earthquake, volcano, landslide, and geothermal topics in one of the world's most tectonically active regions.
• Natural History Museum of UtahcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative relationship with NHMU where faculty like Dr. Randall Irmis hold appointments. Museum provides research opportunities and public outreach connections for paleontology and earth science education.
• ABETcoreOthersAccreditation body for the Geological Engineering program. ABET accreditation ensures graduates meet professional standards and are eligible for engineering licensure.
• International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIODP Expedition 342 (Paleogene Newfoundland Sediment Drifts) involved department researchers. Post-cruise meetings and collaborative research continue with international science community.
• U of U Seismograph StationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide seismic monitoring network operated in partnership with the department, providing real-time earthquake data and research opportunities for students and faculty.
• National Park ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnerships with Arches and Canyonlands National Parks for rock arch monitoring and geohazards research, permitted by NPS for scientific studies.
• Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National LaboratoryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Lowell Miyagi collaborates with LBNL's Advanced Light Source for synchrotron diffraction experiments in high-pressure mineral physics research.
• Institute for Rock Magnetism, University of MinnesotaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVisiting fellowship program for paleomagnetism and rock magnetism researchers, supporting graduate student training in specialized analytical techniques.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Stanford University – Department of Geophysics: Top-tier US geoscience department offering graduate and undergraduate programs in geophysics, seismology, and geological engineering research with comparable subfields.
• Penn State – Department of Geosciences: Large public-university geoscience department with overlapping research groups in seismology, geochemistry, and geological engineering education.
• Colorado School of Mines – Department of Geology and Geological Engineering: Closely comparable program combining geology and geological engineering within a mining/earth science focused institution, also ABET-accredited, with strong industry placement.
• University of Texas at Austin – Jackson School of Geosciences: Major US geoscience school with similar blend of geology, geophysics, and geological engineering research and a comparable graduate program scale.
• University of Colorado Boulder – Department of Geological Sciences: Top-ranked Rocky Mountain geoscience program with overlapping research in seismology, geohazards, and paleomagnetism, serving similar graduate student market.
• Columbia University – Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences: Ivy-league geoscience department with overlapping research strengths in seismology, geochemistry, and Earth history, recruiting from a similar graduate talent pool.
• UC Berkeley – Department of Earth and Planetary Science: Leading Earth science department with overlapping research areas in seismology, mineral physics, and geochemistry, and a comparable graduate program structure.
• Caltech – Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences: Elite Earth and planetary sciences division with direct methodological overlap in seismology, high-pressure mineral physics, and geodynamics research.
• University of Michigan – Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences: Comparable public-R1 geoscience department with overlapping undergraduate and graduate programs in geology, geophysics, and Earth science education.

Broad incumbents

• MIT – Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences: Larger, broader Earth science program at a comparable tier institution with overlapping geophysics and geochemistry research strengths but more diversified scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/UofUGeo
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCGOiAksXNNYnpYUsIGF2_iA
• Facebookfacebook.com/University-of-Utah-Geology-and-Geophysics-361264640646
• Instagraminstagram.com/uofugeo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/uofugeo

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about University of Utah - Department of Geology & Geophysics