Geology, Environmental Earth Science Major, B.A.
Program Description
The B.A. degree in Geology with the Environmental Earth Science major gives students a broad foundation for understanding Earth’s environments (i.e., geosphere, biosphere, cryosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere).
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 (including cognate sciences and math) | 72 |
| University Electives | 2-14 |
| 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 exam.
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 Required Courses | ||
| 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 167 | History and Philosophy of the Geosciences | 3 |
| GEOL 211 | Introduction to Oceanography [C3NS] | 3 |
| GEOL 320 | Meteorology | 3 |
| GEOL 330 | Sedimentology, Stratigraphy and Paleoclimatology | 4 |
| or GEOL 365 | Structural Geology, Tectonics and Climate | |
| GEOL 367 | Genesis of Solid Earth Materials (3, 2) | 4 |
| GEOL 477 | Contemporary Issues in the Geosciences | 4 |
| Subtotal | 25 | |
| Major Upper-Level Electives | ||
| Students must complete 18 credit hours of 300- or 400-level BIO, CHEM, GEOL or ENVT courses chosen in consultation with their advisor. | 18 | |
| Subtotal | 18 | |
| Cognate Science and Mathematics Area | ||
| BIO/GEOL 350 | Paleobiology | 4 |
| CHEM 131 & 131L | General Chemistry I [C3PP] and General Chemistry Laboratory [C3L] | 4 |
| MATH 220 | Elementary Statistics [C3QR] | 3 |
| or MATH 229 | Introduction to Applied Statistics Using R [C3QR] | |
| 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 | 19 | |
| Total Credits | 72 | |
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 |
| GEOL 167 | History and Philosophy of the Geosciences | 3 |
| General Education | 4 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| GEOL 230 | Evolution of Earth (3, 2) | 4 |
| MATH 220 | Elementary Statistics [C3QR] | 3 |
| General Education | 9 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| GEOL 211 | Introduction to Oceanography [C3NS] | 3 |
| GEOL 367 | Genesis of Solid Earth Materials (3, 2) | 4 |
| PHYS 140 & 140L |
College Physics I [C3PP] and General Physics Laboratory I [C3L] |
4 |
| General Education courses or language requirement | 3 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| GEOL 320 | Meteorology | 3 |
| GEOL 377 | Earth Surface Processes (2, 2) | 3 |
| PHYS 150 & 150L |
College Physics II and General Physics Laboratory II |
4 |
| General Education courses and/or language requirement | 6 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| GEOL 350 | Paleobiology | 4 |
| GEOL major electives, General Education courses and/or language requirement | 12 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| GEOL 291 | Writing and Communicating in the Geosciences | 1 |
| GEOL 365 | Structural Geology, Tectonics and Climate | 4 |
| GEOL major electives, General Education courses and/or language requirement | 10 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| GEOL 497 | Work-Based Learning Experiences in Geology and Environmental Science | 1 |
| GEOL major electives or university electives | 12 | |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| GEOL 477 | Contemporary Issues in the Geosciences | 4 |
| GEOL 497 | Work-Based Learning Experiences in Geology and Environmental Science | 1 |
| GEOL major electives or university electives | 10 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |