for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Geology (Sciences & Letters), Earth & Environmental Sciences Concentration

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The Sciences and Letters Curriculum in Geology (BSLAS), administered by the Department of Geology, is designed for students who want a more flexible course of study than is provided by the Specialized Curriculum in Geology and Geophysics. It may be used by those wishing to obtain a more liberal education and/or background in geology for use in fields such as anthropology, business, mineral economics, regional planning, journalism, law, sales, or library and information science. It is not intended to prepare a student for graduate work in the geological sciences unless the student selects additional courses in mathematics, chemistry, and physics comparable to those required in the Specialized Geology and Geophysics Curriculum. Students must choose from the following: Geology, Earth and Environmental Sciences, or Earth Science Teaching.  The Earth Science Teaching Concentration is designed for students preparing to teach earth science at the secondary school level.

Undergraduate Degree Programs in Geology

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Geology (Sciences & Letters), Earth & Environmental Sciences Concentration

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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

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General education: Students must complete the Campus General Education requirements including the campus general education language requirement.

Minimum required major and supporting course work: Normally equates to 43 hours including at least 26 hours in Geology. Twelve hours of 300- and 400-level in the major must be taken on this campus.

Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Core requirements:
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
CHEM 102	General Chemistry I	3
CHEM 103	General Chemistry Lab I	1
Select one of the following MATH courses: (An introductory Statistics course, e.g., STAT 100, SOC 280, ECON 202, or a second semester of Calculus is recommended)		4-5
MATH 220	Calculus
or MATH 221	Calculus I
MATH 234	Calculus for Business I
Courses beyond the core requirements
ATMS 140	Climate and Global Change	3
or GEOL 118	Natural Disasters
GEOL 333	Earth Materials and the Env	4
or GEOL 432	Mineralogy and Mineral Optics
GEOL 380	Environmental Geology	4
Ten to twelve hours of additional advanced geology courses		10-12
Six to eight hours Environmental Studies electives. (see Geology advisor for list of approved courses)		6-8

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Geology (Sciences & Letters), Earth & Environmental Sciences Concentration

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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

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