The name of Baylor University’s geology department has changed to reflect recent developments in the field.

Beginning today with the start of the Spring 2016 semester, the former Department of Geology will be known as the Department of Geosciences, according to Dr. Lee C. Nordt, dean of the College of Arts & Sciences.

“The name change is necessary because the title ‘Department of Geology’ is now rarely used amongst our peer institutions, since it misrepresents the range of disciplines now encompassed within a modern geology department,” said Dr. Stacy Atchley, chair and professor of geosciences. “That title now has the connotation of being obsolete and old-fashioned.”

Atchley said that Baylor not only offers undergraduate degrees in geology, geophysics and earth sciences, but the University advises graduate students within more than a dozen research specializations within the department including paleoclimatology, paleopedology, geomorphology, geochemistry, hydrology and volcanology.

“The title ‘Department of Geology’ no longer captures the diversity of educational and research opportunities that now exist within our department,” Atchley said. “Substituting geosciences for geology better captures the nature of our diverse classroom topics and collaborative initiatives at Baylor and abroad.”