Earth and Space Sciences

International Field Trips (ESS 348/548)

The Department offers field courses to study and explore geology in regions outside the United States. The field study is conducted under the supervision of West Chester faculty and graduate students, during which students learn to apply geology field methods to study geomorphology and morphotectonics. Here is a summary International trips in the past:

• 2025 - Iceland 🇮🇸
• 2018 - Iceland 🇮🇸
• 2017 - Jamaica 🇯🇲
• 2015 - Costa Rica 🇨🇷
• 2013 - Russia 🇷🇺

In conjunction with Moscow State University, several students studied the most preserved geologic regions of all Europe; the Khibiny Mountains and Lovozero Tundra, the Baltic Shield.

• 2011 - Costa Rica 🇨🇷
• 2009 - Peru 🇵🇪

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for our students! For more information, please contact

Geology of the National Parks (ESS 394/594 and 395/595)

Every two years in late summer, the Department offers a course studying field geology in the Western U.S., alternating between the NW Parks (in Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana) and SW Parks (in Arizona and New Mexico). In this multi-week experience, students conduct geologic mapping exercises and investigating stratigraphy, tectonic history, structural geology, igneous petrology, geomorphology, hydrogeology, soils, natural hazards, and economic resources of the national parks.

For more information, please contact

Drone Research

MS Geoscience graduate students Juliana Hartlove and Mariah Bowie conduct drone research using a new first-person view (FPV) camera system.  Drones are just one of the many ways WCU ESS students apply cutting-edge tools to solve geologic problems. 

Soil Composition from Weathered Serpentinite Bedrock Research

The composition of soil derived from weathered serpentinite bedrock is poorly understood. It is known to be infertile and, in some cases, actually toxic to the growth of many crops. For this reason, the “serpentine barrens” are often found in parks and preserves, since they are economically non-viable for agriculture. Since it occurs in small areas and is not wide-spread, most soil scientists and geologists have ignored serpentine-derived soils. A group of students (Julia Redka, Jessica Powers and Ethan Martin) are working under the supervision of professor Russell Losco and in cooperation with Stephen Dadio of Delaware Valley University are investigating the composition of these soils.

Meteorology Research

Sadie Levi-Price, B.S. Geoscience major, and Dr. Hilliker worked on research Fall 2025 relating PA migratory bird counts to PA temperature. Sadie presented at the College Poster Session on December 3, 2025.

(Click here to download)

Mercie Diodati, M.S. Geoscience major, and Dr. Hilliker collaborated in Fall 2025 on a study analyzing Pacific Ocean SSTs and PA climate. Areal correlations via heat maps were constructed to visually show areas of the Pacific that have a strong connection to PA climate.

(Click here to download)