Geology: Environmental Geology, BS
for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Geology, Environmental Geology Concentration (Specialized Curriculum)
The Specialized Curriculum in Geology (BS) is designed for students who plan to pursue graduate study in geology or geophysics or who wish to work professionally in the environmental field upon obtaining the bachelor's degree. It consists of geology, geophysics, and environmental geology areas, and offers more training in geology and related science than is required of students who make geology their major in the Sciences and Letters Curriculum. Students must choose one of the following: Geology, Geophysics, or Environmental Geology.
Undergraduate Degree Programs in Geology
For the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences
Students select one of the following in consultation with an adviser:
- Major in Geology (Sciences and Letters)
- Major in Geology (Sciences and Letters), Earth and Environmental Sciences Concentration
- Major in Geology (Sciences and Letters), Earth Science Teaching Concentration
Students select one of the following in consultation with an adviser:
for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Geology, Environmental Geology Concentration (Specialized Curriculum)
Graduation requires a grade point average of at least 2.0 overall and a 2.0 average in all required science and technical courses (geology, physics, mathematics, chemistry, and technical requirements listed below). The Department of Geology will supply upon request a Guide for Geology Undergraduates giving more information about the curriculum.
Departmental Distinction: Students majoring in Geology can earn distinction, high distinction, and highest distinction upon graduation. The requirements for these awards are:
Distinction: A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.3, and have also completed an approved independent study project, approved senior thesis, or approved capstone
High Distinction: A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5, and have also completed an approved independent study project, approved senior thesis, or approved capstone
Highest Distinction: A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.7, and also completed an approved senior thesis or approved research capstone
General education: Students must complete the Campus General Education requirements including the campus general education language requirement.
Minimum hours required for graduation: 126 hours.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Chemistry- Select one group of courses: | 8-9 | |
| General Chemistry I | ||
| General Chemistry Lab I | ||
| General Chemistry II | ||
| General Chemistry Lab II | ||
or | ||
| Accelerated Chemistry I | ||
| Accelerated Chemistry Lab I | ||
| Accelerated Chemistry II | ||
| Accelerated Chemistry Lab II | ||
| 24 hours of Geology Courses | ||
| GEOL 107 | Physical Geology (Students who decide to follow the curriculum after first taking GEOL 100 should enroll in GEOL 208. GEOL 100 will be accepted as a substitute for GEOL 107, but students should be aware that these courses are not intended for science majors.) | 4 |
| GEOL 208 | History of the Earth System | 4 |
| GEOL 380 | Environmental Geology | 4 |
| GEOL 401 | Geomorphology | 4 |
| GEOL 451 | Environmental Geophysics | 4 |
| or GEOL 452 | Introduction to Geophysics | |
| GEOL 470 | Introduction to Hydrogeology | 4 |
| Mathematics | 11-12 | |
| Calculus | ||
or MATH 221 | Calculus I | |
| Calculus II | ||
| Calculus III | ||
| Physics | 8-10 | |
| University Physics: Mechanics and University Physics: Elec & Mag | ||
or | ||
| College Physics: Mech & Heat and College Physics: E&M & Modern | ||
| Statistics- Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Applied Statistical Methods I | ||
| Statistics and Probability I | ||
| Additional Technical Requirements | 24 | |
Select from the following courses. At least 9 hours must be geology courses and at least 9 hours must be non-geology courses. | ||
| Environmental Engineering | ||
| Elementary Organic Chemistry I | ||
| Intro Computing: Engrg & Sci | ||
| Introduction to Computer Science | ||
ENVS 431 | ||
| Introduction to Remote Sensing | ||
| Structural Geol and Tectonics | ||
| Geol Field Methods, Western US (GEOL 417 is a 6-hour summer field course taught off campus.) | ||
| Mineralogy and Mineral Optics | ||
| Petrology and Petrography | ||
| Sedimentology and Stratigraphy | ||
| Geochemistry | ||
| Introductory Matrix Theory | ||
| Applied Linear Algebra | ||
| Intro Differential Equations | ||
| Differential Equations | ||
| Introductory Microbiology | ||
| Intro Microbiology Laboratory | ||
| Univ Physics: Thermal Physics | ||
| Univ Physics: Quantum Physics | ||
| Methods of Applied Statistics | ||
| Introduction to Statics | ||
| Statics | ||
for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Geology, Environmental Geology Concentration (Specialized Curriculum)
Sample Sequence
This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.
Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a third level of a language other than English. See the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| Free elective course | 1 | GEOL 208 | 4 |
| CHEM 102 (or CHEM 202) | 3 | CHEM 104 (or CHEM 204) | 3 |
| CHEM 103 (or CHEM 203) | 2 | CHEM 105 (or CHEM 205) | 1 |
| Language Other than English (3rd level) | 4 | GEOL 107 | 4 |
| Composition I or General Education course | 3 | General Education course or Composition 1 | 3 |
| Free elective course | 3 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| MATH 220 (or MATH 221) | 4 | GEOL 401 | 4 |
| Technical Geology or non Geology course | 3 | Technical Geology course | 3 |
| Technical non Geology course | 3 | GEOL 470 | 4 |
| General Education course | 3 | MATH 231 | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| 16 | 17 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| GEOL 380 | 4 | Technical non Geology course | 3 |
| MATH 241 | 4 | Technical Geology course | 3 |
| PHYS 211 (or PHYS 101) | 4 | PHYS 212 (or PHYS 102) | 5 |
| Technical Geology course | 3 | Free elective course | 3 |
| 15 | 14 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| Technical Geology or non Geology course | 3 | Technical non Geology course | 3 |
| CPSC 440 (or STAT 400) | 4 | General Education Course | 3 |
| GEOL 451 (or GEOL 452) | 4 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| Free elective course | 3 | Free elective course | 4 |
| 17 | 16 | ||
| Total Hours 126 | |||
for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Geology, Environmental Geology Concentration (Specialized Curriculum)
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