An Academic Affiliate of the
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research

Mailing Address:

Department of Geosciences
Thornton Hall 509
San Francisco State University
1600 Holloway Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94132-4163

Information Contact:

Miriam Knof
Administrative Analyst
Geosciences Office Manager
Phone: (415) 338-2061
FAX: (415) 338-7705
Email: Information

The Department of Geosciences is one of eight programs administered by the College of Science and Engineering and is located in Thornton Hall on the campus of San Francisco State University. The present Chair of the Department is Oswaldo Garcia.

The Department has degree programs in the fields of geology and meteorology and courses in oceanography. The Department of Geosciences is an Academic Affiliate of the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR).

This website has links to descriptions of the geology and meteorology programs and degrees. Interested Net Surfers may also find useful weather information by clicking on the link to the Department's California Regional Weather Server. Current information on next semester's schedule is constantly being updated.

Department of Geosciences Activities and Student Grants


The Department publishes a bi-yearly Newsletter (FOCUS) to keep alumni apprised of developments within the Department. Both the geology and meteorology programs have active student organizations (the Geology Club and the Student Chapter of the American Meteorological Society). Student awards include the Thalmann Award and Departmental Honoree in the area of geology, the Pestrong Geoscience Research and Community Sevice grants in all areas of the geosciences, the Dawdy Hydrology Research Grant in the area of hydrology and related sciences and the Atmospheric Sciences Education and Research Grant and Departmental Honoree in the areas of oceanography and meteorology.


The Department has a weekly seminar series and participates in several major outreach/research projects, SF-Rocks and the SFSU Creep Project. The Department also serves as the National Weather Service's San Francisco Satellite Field Office.