Geology Major

The geology major has two 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 212. Dynamic Earth and Environment
  • GEOL 232. Environmental Geochemistry
  • GEOL 321. Earth History and Stratigraphy
  • GEOL 336. Process Geomorphology
  • GEOL 343. Fundamentals of Mineral Science 
  • GEOL 344. Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology 
  • GEOL 345. Sedimentary Geology
  • GEOL 412. Field Geology (offered only at the Science Station)
  • GEOL 443. Structural Geology
  • 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
  • MATH 135 or 235. Applied Calculus or Calculus I (MATH 236. 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 212. Dynamic Earth and Environment
  • GEOL 232. Environmental Geochemistry
  • GEOL 321. Earth History and Stratigraphy
  • GEOL 336. Process Geomorphology
  • GEOL 343. Fundamentals of Mineral Science 
  • GEOL 344. Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology 
  • GEOL 345. Sedimentary Geology
  • GEOL 412. Field Geology (offered only at the Science Station)
  • GEOL 443. Structural Geology
  • GEOL 494. Senior Seminar Capstone

The following supporting courses are required:

  • CHEM 231. General Chemistry I 
  • MATH 263. Introduction to Statistics
  • Either GEOL/ENVR 341. Quantitative Methods, or ECON 321. Statistics, or equivalent

Requirements For A Minor In Geology

To earn the minor in geology, 20 credits must be completed including an Introductory geology course and GEOL 321.