Geology, B.A.
Program Description
The B.A. degree in Geology provides students a broad foundation for understanding the structure of the Earth, Earth materials and how the physical environment is formed and altered.
Students may not major in both Geology and Environmental Earth Science.
Degree Requirements
| Degree Requirements | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| General Education 1 | 41 |
| Foreign Language Requirement 2 | 0-12 |
| Philosophy Requirement (in addition to General Education courses) | 3 |
| Major requirements | 64-68 |
| University Electives | 6-22 |
| Total | 120 |
- 1
The General Education program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. Some of these courses may double count with major requirements.
- 2
The foreign language requirement may be satisfied by successful completion of the second semester of the intermediate level of the student’s chosen language (typically 232) or by placing out of that language through the Department of World Languages and Cultures placement test.
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| GEOL 230 | Evolution of Earth (3, 2) | 4 |
| GEOL 291 | Writing and Communicating in the Geosciences | 1 |
| GEOL 377 | Earth Surface Processes (2, 2) | 3 |
| GEOL 497 | Work-Based Learning Experiences in Geology and Environmental Science | 2 |
| Subtotal | 10 | |
| Major Requirements | ||
| GEOL 102 | Environment: Earth [C3NS] | 3 |
| or GEOL 110 | Physical Geology [C3NS] | |
| or GEOL 115 | Earth Systems and Climate Change [C3NS] | |
| or GEOL 210 | Applied Physical Geology [C3NS] | |
| GEOL 110L | Physical Geology Laboratory [C3L] | 1 |
| or GEOL 115L | Earth Systems and Climate Change Lab [C3L] | |
| GEOL 280 | Mineralogy (3, 2) | 4 |
| GEOL 300 | Introduction to Petrology (3, 3) | 4 |
| GEOL 330 | Sedimentology, Stratigraphy and Paleoclimatology | 4 |
| GEOL 365 | Structural Geology, Tectonics and Climate | 4 |
| Subtotal | 20 | |
| Major Electives | ||
| Select 16 credit hours of GEOL courses at the 200-level or above. Students are encouraged to work with their advisor to select courses appropriate to their goals. GEOL 210, GEOL 301, GEOL 320, GEOL 367, GEOL 401 and GEOL 477 do not count as upper level electives for the B.A. in Geology. | 16 | |
| Subtotal | 16 | |
| Cognate Science and Mathematics Courses | ||
| CHEM 131 & 131L | General Chemistry I [C3PP] and General Chemistry Laboratory [C3L] | 4 |
| MATH 205 | Applied Calculus [C3QR] | 3-6 |
| or MATH 235 | Calculus I [C3QR] | |
| or MATH 231 & MATH 232 | Calculus with Functions I [C3QR] and Calculus with Functions II | |
| MATH 220 | Elementary Statistics [C3QR] | 3-4 |
| or MATH 229 | Introduction to Applied Statistics Using R [C3QR] | |
| or MATH 236 | Calculus II | |
| PHYS 140 & 140L | College Physics I [C3PP] and General Physics Laboratory I [C3L] | 4 |
| CHEM 132 & 132L | General Chemistry II and General Chemistry Laboratory | 4 |
| or PHYS 150 & 150L | College Physics II and General Physics Laboratory II | |
| Subtotal | 18-22 | |
| Total Credits | 64-68 | |
Recommended Schedule for Majors
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credits | |
| CHEM 131 & 131L |
General Chemistry I [C3PP] and General Chemistry Laboratory [C3L] |
4 |
| GEOL 110 & 110L |
Physical Geology [C3NS] and Physical Geology Laboratory [C3L] |
4 |
| General Education | 7 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| GEOL 230 | Evolution of Earth (3, 2) | 4 |
| MATH 205 | Applied Calculus [C3QR] | 3 |
| General Education | 7 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| GEOL 280 | Mineralogy (3, 2) | 4 |
| MATH 220 | Elementary Statistics [C3QR] | 3 |
| PHYS 140 & 140L |
College Physics I [C3PP] and General Physics Laboratory I [C3L] |
4 |
| General Education | 3 | |
| GEOL electives | 3 | |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CHEM 132 & 132L |
General Chemistry II and General Chemistry Laboratory |
4 |
| GEOL 300 | Introduction to Petrology (3, 3) | 4 |
| General Education | 3 | |
| Philosophy BA Requirement | 3 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| GEOL 330 | Sedimentology, Stratigraphy and Paleoclimatology | 4 |
| GEOL electives and/or General Education courses | 7 | |
| Foreign language requirement | 3 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| GEOL 291 | Writing and Communicating in the Geosciences | 1 |
| GEOL 365 | Structural Geology, Tectonics and Climate | 4 |
| GEOL 377 | Earth Surface Processes (2, 2) | 3 |
| Foreign language requirement | 3 | |
| General Education | 3 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| GEOL 497 | Work-Based Learning Experiences in Geology and Environmental Science | 1 |
| GEOL electives, university electives, or General Education courses | 13 | |
| Foreign language requirement | 3 | |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| GEOL 497 | Work-Based Learning Experiences in Geology and Environmental Science | 1 |
| GEOL electives, university electives, or General Education courses | 11 | |
| Foreign language requirement | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |