The geology major has three options available leading to either a Bachelor of Science degree or a Bachelor of Arts degree. Both degrees require a core of geology courses plus supporting courses in other science disciplines and mathematics.
Requirements For A Bachelor Of Science In Geology
The Bachelor of Science in geology requires 36 credits which include the following 32 hours of core courses:
- GEOL 201. Exploring Dynamic Earth-Field (offered only at the Science Station) or GEOL 211. Exploring Dynamic Earth
- GEOL 321. Earth History and Stratigraphy
- GEOL 336. Process Geomorphology
- GEOL 343. Fundamentals of Mineral Science or GEOL 365. Physics of the Earth
- GEOL 344. General Petrology and Petrography
- GEOL 443. Structural Geology
- GEOL 412. Field Geology (offered only at the Science Station)
- GEOL 494. Senior Seminar Capstone
An additional four hours in geology is also required along with the following supporting courses:
- CHEM 231. General Chemistry I
- PHYS 221. General Physics I or PHYS 231. Introductory Physics I
- And either CHEM 232. General Chemistry II or PHYS 222. General Physics II (or PHYS 232 Introductory Physics II) Graduate school admissions typically require four semesters of introductory chemistry and physics
- MATH 221 or 231. Applied Calculus or Calculus I (MATH 232. Calculus II also recommended)
Requirements For A Bachelor Of Arts In Geology
The Bachelor of Arts in geology requires 32 credits which includes the following core courses:
- GEOL 201 Exploring Dynamic Earth-Field (offered only at the Science Station) or GEOL 211. Exploring Dynamic Earth
- GEOL 321. Earth History and Stratigraphy
- GEOL 336. Process Geomorphology
- GEOL 342. Fundamentals of Geochemistry
- GEOL 343. Fundamentals of Mineral Science or GEOL 365. Physics of the Earth
- GEOL 344. General Petrology and Petrography
- GEOL 443. Structural Geology
- GEOL 412. Field Geology (offered only at the Science Station)
- GEOL 494. Senior Seminar Capstone
The following supporting courses are required:
- Either CHEM 231. General Chemistry I or PHYS 221. General Physics I
- Either GEOL/ENVR 241. Quantitative Methods, or B EC 321. Statistics, or equivalent
Requirements For A Bachelor Of Science Or Arts With A Teacher Certification 6-12 In Physical Science With An Emphasis In Geology
The Secondary Teacher Certification option leads to a Bachelor of Arts degree with teacher certification 6-12 in physical science with an emphasis in geology. See Science Teacher website.
Requirements are as follows:
- Bachelor of Arts in Geology coursework.
- Supporting courses in CHEM 236, PHYS 221, ASTR 301 or 302, BIOL 201, SCI 321
- Education courses as required by the Education Department
Requirements For A Minor In Geology
To earn the minor in geology 20 credits must be completed including GEOL 201, 211, or 221 and 321. Chemistry or physics majors who take a geology minor should include GEOL 342 or 365, respectively.