Geology, BS
for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Geology (Specialized Curriculum)
department website: https://www.geology.illinois.edu/undergraduate
department faculty: Geology Faculty
advising: Geology advising
overview of college admissions & requirements: Liberal Arts & Sciences
college website: https://las.illinois.edu/
email: geology@illinois.edu
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
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: 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 | ||
| 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 | ||
| 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. |