Academic departments within the Mackay School

Explore faculty profiles, meet graduate students, learn about individual program application processes and more by exploring our academic and public service departments.

"Geography" spelled out in lights at night.

Geography

Geography is the science of analyzing human and environmental patterns and processes across space and time. The Department of Geography offers the following 4 specializations for undergraduates: Climate water & Ecosystems, Environmental Policy & Management, Globalization, Politics & Place, and Geotechnologies.

Department of Geography
Student measuring strike and dip of a joint plain in granite rock.

Geological Sciences and Engineering

There’s a whole world of discovery in the ground beneath your feet. From the shifting of tectonic plates to the eruption of volcanoes, learn about the Earth and all of the natural processes that have shaped it over time.

Department of Geological Sciences and Engineering
Four people on edge of mine.

Mining and Metallurgical Engineering

Look around you – most of what you will see contains minerals and mined materials. Know that the industry you are learning about and the career you are working towards plays an essential role in the day-to-day life of most people on the planet.

Mining and Metallurgical Engineering Department
 

Public service departments

In addition to its academic departments, the Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering is home to various public service departments.

Photo of geological formation, Stone Mother, at Pyramid Lake. Photo: Jack Hursh

Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology

As the state geological survey, the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology (NBMG) primarily serves as a public resource for Nevada geologic information. Available at NBMG are geologic maps and publications regarding mineral resources, engineering geology, environmental geology and hydrogeology. Services provided include mineralogical analysis.

Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology
Plane flying over wildfire spraying fire retardant.

Nevada Seismological Laboratory

A research and public service entity, the Nevada Seismological Lab oversees the study of Nevada's seismic activity. The Seismo Lab faculty are closely integrated with the Department of Geological Sciences and Engineering. If you are interested in a career studying earthquakes, seismic hazard or the structure of the Earth, you can major in geophysics and get involved in the world-class research going on at the Seismo Lab, either as an undergraduate student or graduate student.

The Seismo Lab also runs the ALERTWildfire and ALERTTahoe programs providing access to state-of-the-art Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) fire cameras and associated tools to help firefighters and first responders in the event of a wildfire.

Nevada Seismological Laboratory
Temperature map of Western United States including Nevada.

Nevada State Climate Office

The Nevada State Climate Office is the chief resource and research facility for the collection, maintenance and dissemination of climate and weather information for the State of Nevada. Services provided include online data services, educational outreach, media information services and professional advice. The office is also a source for student internships.

Nevada State Climate Office