Geology, BS
for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Geology
department page:
department website: https://www.geology.illinois.edu/undergraduate
department faculty: Geology Faculty
overview of college admissions & requirements: Liberal Arts & Sciences
college website: https://las.illinois.edu/
email: geology@illinois.edu
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 who maintain a grade point average of at least 3.5 in all geology courses and 3.0 in all other science and mathematics courses and who complete an acceptable senior thesis, including at least 4 hours credit in GEOL 492 or GEOL 493, are recommended for graduation with distinction.
for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Geology
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 who maintain a grade point average of at least 3.5 in all geology courses and 3.0 in all other science and mathematics courses and who complete an acceptable senior thesis, including at least 4 hours credit in GEOL 492 or GEOL 493, are recommended for graduation with distinction.
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: 1 | ||
| GEOL 107 | Physical Geology 2 | 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 3 | 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 | |
| Probing 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 | ||
| University Physics: Elec & Mag | ||
or | ||
| College Physics: Mech & Heat | ||
| 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 | ||
| Intro to Computer Science | ||
| Applied Statistical Methods I | ||
| Statistics and Probability I | ||
| Intro Differential Equations | ||
| Differential Equations | ||
| Univ Physics: Thermal Physics | ||
| Univ Physics: Quantum Physics | ||
| 1 | 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. |
| 2 | Students who decide to follow the curriculum after first taking GEOL 100 or GEOL 103 should enroll in GEOL 208. GEOL 100 or GEOL 103 will be accepted as a substitute for GEOL 107, but students should be aware that these courses are not intended for science majors. |
| 3 | GEOL 417 is a 6-hour summer field course taught off campus. |