Collaborative research between students and faculty members is an important part of the geology program at Beloit College. Under the direction of a member of the Geology faculty, students design and implement a research project, gather and analyze their own data, and present their results. 

Research opportunities are also available through the Keck Geology Consortium, 18 colleges committed to undergraduate education in geology through intercollegiate programs that engage students and faculty in cooperative research. Among its founders was Beloit College Professor Emeritus Hank Woodard.

Examples of recent student research projects:

• Metasomatism and metamorphism of Jurassic continental volcanic arc rocks in the Inyo Mountains, California; Amanda Manzanares, '11; Advisor: Jim Rougvie.
• Using pollen to understand Quaternary paleoenvironments in Betasso Gulch, Front Range, Colorado; Corey Shircliff, '11; Advisor: Carl Mendelson.
• Mapping and relative age dating of moraines in the Horoo Gol Valley, Hovsgol Rift, Mongolia; Briana Berkowitz, '11; Advisor: Sue Swanson.
• A climatic study of spring tufa deposits using stable isotopes and major and trace element concentrations, southwestern Wisconsin; Ethan Mamer, '10; Advisor:  Sue Swanson.
• Interpillow hyaloclastites, pillow rind alteration, and fluid flow in mafic volcanics of the Blake River Group, Rouyn-Noranda, Québec; Stefanie Gugolz, '09; Advisor: Jim Rougvie.
• The effects of aeration on lake sediment: Willow Creek Reservoir, Heppner, Oregon; Leah Arneson, '09; Advisors: Carl Mendelson and Sue Swanson.
• Cathodoluminescence and Rb-Sr isotope analysis in a paleogroundwater study of the Harcuvar Mountains, west-central Arizona; Jim Ludois, '08; Advisor: Jim Rougvie.