Geology, BS
for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Geology (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
For the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Geology
Students select one of the following in consultation with an adviser:
for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Geology (Specialized Curriculum)
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 | ||
| (45 hours of Geology Courses: Students transferring into the geology concentration from another science or engineering program may substitute up to 8 hours of 300-or 400-level science or engineering credits for 8 hours of 300-or 400-level geology courses with departmental approval.) | ||
| 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 143 | History of Life | 3 |
| GEOL 411 | Structural Geol and Tectonics | 4 |
| GEOL 417 | Geol Field Methods, Western US (GEOL 417 is a 6-hour summer field course taught off campus.) | 6 |
| GEOL 432 | Mineralogy and Mineral Optics | 4 |
| GEOL 436 | Petrology and Petrography | 4 |
| GEOL 440 | Sedimentology and Stratigraphy | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Investigating the Earth’s Interior | ||
or GEOL 452 | Introduction to Geophysics | |
| GEOL 460 | Geochemistry | 3 |
| 6 additional hours 300- or 400-level geology | 6 | |
| Mathematics | 13-15 | |
| Calculus | ||
or MATH 221 | Calculus I | |
| Calculus II | ||
| Introductory Matrix Theory | ||
or MATH 415 | Applied Linear Algebra | |
| Calculus III | ||
| Physics. Select one group of courses: | 8-10 | |
| University Physics: Mechanics and University Physics: Elec & Mag | ||
or | ||
| College Physics: Mech & Heat and College Physics: E&M & Modern | ||
| Additional Technical Requirements | 3 | |
Select at least 3 hours from the following: | ||
| Introduction to Plant Biology | ||
| Animal Biology | ||
| Intro Computing: Engrg & Sci | ||
| Introduction to Computer Science | ||
| Applied Statistical Methods I | ||
| Statistics and Probability I | ||
| Intro Differential Equations | ||
| Differential Equations | ||
| Univ Physics: Thermal Physics | ||
| Univ Physics: Quantum Physics | ||
for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Geology (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 |
| Composition I or General Education course | 3 | General Education course or Composition 1 | 3 |
| 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 |
| Free elective course | 2 | Free elective course | 2 |
| 15 | 17 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| MATH 220 (or MATH 221) | 5 | MATH 231 | 3 |
| GEOL 143 | 3 | GEOL 411 | 4 |
| General Education course | 3 | GEOL 432 | 4 |
| General Education Course | 3 | PHYS 211 (or PHYS 101) | 4 |
| Free elective course | 3 | ||
| 17 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| PHYS 212 (or PHYS 102) | 5 | GEOL 417 | 6 |
| GEOL 440 | 4 | GEOL 436 | 4 |
| MATH 241 | 4 | MATH 225 (or MATH 415) | 3 |
| Free elective course | 2 | General Education Course | 3 |
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| GEOL 450 (or GEOL 452) | 4 | GEOL 460 | 3 |
| Geology 300-400 level course | 3 | Geology 300-400 level course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | Technical Geology course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| Free elective course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Total Hours 126 | |||
for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Geology (Specialized Curriculum)
- Students will develop cross-disciplinary skills of observation, data collection, and spatial display of data (e.g., map making) related to geological materials, features, and processes.
- Students will develop an understanding of the physical, chemical and mathematical theories fundamental to earth processes through rigorous coursework and research.
- Students will develop and apply critical thinking skills to synthesize principles learned in the classroom, and data collected in the laboratory and in the field in order to evaluate hypotheses and solve geological problems.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively scientific data, interpretations, and hypotheses through written and oral methods.
- Students will hone and apply interpersonal skills in a professional setting through group work, research activities, and field studies.
for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Geology (Specialized Curriculum)
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