Our mission is to guide students in learning about the earth’s dynamic past through the exploration of its present landscape.

students reviewing an assigment sheet in the Utah wilderness

Four Years in the Field

Westminster University sits on the boundary where the mountains meet the desert. Depending on the direction you choose, you can drive an hour from campus and find yourself standing 10,000 feet up in the Wasatch Mountains, walking in the middle of the Bonneville Salt Flats, or looking over the edge of one of the largest mines in the world. The Westminster University geology program takes full advantage of the university’s amazing location by incorporating significant field experience into each of our classes. On any given day as a geology major, you may find yourself collecting mineral samples, mapping earthquake faults, measuring river flows, or following dinosaur tracks.


Research Opportunities

Beyond our unparalleled access to inspiring geology, the geology program provides students with the mentoring and resources they need to ask new questions about the earth and find their own answers. Our facilities include:

  • Fully equipped rock-prep lab
  • Microscopy facilities
  • Rock-crushing lab
  • High-speed computer lab

Our geology students have presented their work at local, regional, and national conferences.

student presenting research

student presenting research


Recent Field Trips

students sitting on rocks doing homework

Igneous Geology in the Mineral Mountains

students hikinh on desert rocks

Dinosaur Trackway Paleontology in Moab

students hiking a green mountain in the distance

Glacial Geomorphology in the Bear Lake Valley

student hiking in a volcanic mountain area

Volcanic Geology in Hawaii

Keep Up with All of Our Adventures

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Meet the Faculty

  • Nick Pollock

    Nick Pollock


    • FULL-TIME Faculty
    • Assistant Professor

    He/Him/His

    Ph.D. Boise State University
    M.S. University of Washington
    B.A. Colgate University



    Phone: 801.832.2352

    Email:  npollock@westminsteru.edu

    Office Location: Meldrum Science Center 218


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