Science, Sound and Svalbard: Digging Deep Into Music and Geoscience
Student Snapshot: Sofia Bischof ’27
Sofia Bischof ’27 has conducted fieldwork in Carlisle and beyond, studied Arctic science and art in Norway during the polar night and performed with campus and visiting musicians. The president of Dickinson's tap-dance club, she's also a DJ at the campus radio station and is involved with the Shakespeare Club and the Dickinson Orchestra, College Choir and Dickinson Wind Quintet.
Hometown:
Douglassville, Pa.
High school:
Daniel Boone Area High School.
Majors:
Geosciences and music (oboe).
Best thing about my Dickinson experience so far:
Getting to take part in the Arctic Art and Science Mosaic, led by Professor of Geosciences Ben Edwards and Professor of Studio Art Anthony Cervino, which involved a 10-day trip to various places in Norway, including Longyearbyen, Svalbard, at 78 degrees north during the polar night.
Best thing about my major:
For my geoscience major, the best part is how many opportunities for hands-on experiences there are, whether using analog models in class (including geologically relevant lab snacks), learning how to use the scientific instruments we have or doing fieldwork, both around Carlisle and further afield. For my music major, some of the best experiences have been seeing incredible professional musicians (including many of the professors here) perform in concert and attending masterclasses led by some of those musicians.
Favorite class:
Paleontology with Joseph Priestley Professor of Natural Philosophy Marcus Key! Particularly our field trip to the Calvert Cliffs to go fossil hunting and look through the Calvert Cliffs Marine Museum fossil collection.
Proudest accomplishment so far:
In a few months, I learned how to play English horn well enough to perform a piece with our wind quintet during a chamber music concert.
Clubs and organizations:
Dig Drop Devils (president), WDCV, Shakespeare Club, Dickinson Orchestra, College Choir and Dickinson Wind Quintet.
Honors/scholarships/awards:
Provost Scholarship and Ready to Succeed Scholarship.
Post-Dickinson plans:
My current plan is to attend grad school to pursue a paleontology degree.
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Published July 17, 2026