Undergraduates can choose from three concentrations that reflect the strengths of our program, Coastal and Marine Geology, Environmental Geology, and General Geology.  Graduate students can undertake research in almost any field of geology, but, given our location and the interests of both faculty and students, many students investigate problems in coastal, environmental and hydrogeology.  This local and regional interest is balanced with international research, mainly in paleoclimatic reconstruction and biotic response to past global and regional environmental changes in South America, Europe and the Atlantic and Pacific deep oceans.  Students interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in some fields of geology can do so through the Coastal Resource Management Program at ECU.  Geology faculty have strong links with the program through both teaching and research.

The department is housed in Graham Building, located in the central part of the East Carolina University campus. Classroom, office, and laboratory space in Graham is supplemented by additional analytical facilities in Howell Science Complex and sample preparation and storage facilities in the Old Cafeteria Building.