BS in Geology
B.S. in Geology
Geology is the study of the earth, including what it is made of and how it and its life have developed and evolved through time. Geology is fundamental to finding natural resources such as minerals and petroleum, preserving water quality for humans and wildlife, protecting the environment, mitigating hazards such as volcanoes and earthquakes, and understanding how life developed and evolved. Four focus areas are offered including:
Paleontology: study of ancient organisms and environments
Environmental Geology: protection and management of natural resources
Resource Geology: Exploration and development of petroleum and minerals
Geospatial Technology: managing spatial data using GIS, GPS, and remote sensing
See the lists below for recommended electives for the focus areas.
Geology Program Educational Outcomes
Outcome 1. Basic scientific and mathematical competence
1a. Can apply mathematics to solve problems in the geosciences.
1b. Can understand and apply basic principles of chemistry, physics, and biology to geologic issues.
1c. Understands the basic principles of earth science, such as physical geology, mineralogy, sedimentation, petrology, invertebrate paleontology, geophysics, economic geology, and structural geology.
Outcome 2. Field and laboratory technical competence
2a. Can identify and classify basic geologic materials, including minerals, rocks, structures, and landforms, and knows their basic material properties.
2b. Can collect and describe samples of geologic materials in support of field investigations.
2c. Can create basic types of geologic maps with standard geology symbols, using standard field measurement techniques and equipment.
2d. Can perform basic types of geologic analysis, such as stratigraphic correlation, well-logging, map construction, geophysical studies, fossil identification, and cross section construction.
Outcome 3. Technical and computer competence
3a. Demonstrates competence in basic computer tools including word processors, spreadsheets, and Internet utilization.
3b. Can create and analyze map data on computers using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) or Computer Aided Design (CAD) programs.
Outcome 4. Critical thinking and research skills
4a. Can critically read technical literature
4b. Can define a scientific or technical problem and design a strategy to address it
4c. Can carry out a science or technical project and write up the results.
Outcome 5. Excellence in technical communication
5a. Can communicate effectively in written form through words, graphs, and tables.
5b. Can communicate orally using prepared presentations
5c. Can communicate orally extemporaneously.
5d. Can create scientific/technical communication documents such as reports and proposals using the correct formats
Outcome 6. Ability to work effectively on a professional team
6a. Can communicate effectively with team members through personal, telephone, and electronic means
6b. Can work responsibly as a member of a team
Outcome 7. Broad general knowledge and role of geology in society
7a. Has the broad education necessary to understand the impact of earth science and technology in a global and societal context
7b. Knowledge of contemporary issues
Outcome 8. An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
8a. Carries out responsibilities in a professional and ethical manner
8b. Understands basic scientific principles and practices
Curriculum
FRESHMAN YEAR
First Semester
__MATH 123 Calculus I (4)
__CHEM 112 General Chemistry (3)
__CHEM 112L Exper. Gen. Chemistry I (1)
__ENGL 101 Composition I (3)
__GEOL 201 Physical Geology (3)
__GEOL 201L Physical Geology Lab (1)
__IS 110 Explorations1 ( (2)
17
Second Semester
__CHEM 114 General Chemistry II (3)
__CHEM 114L Exper. Gen. Chemistry II (1)
__MATH 125 Calculus II (4)
__GEOE 211 Earth Sys. Eng. Anal. (2)
__ Gen Ed Humanities/Social Science Elective2 (6)
16
SOPHOMORE YEAR
First Semester
__PHYS 211 Univ. Physics I (3)
__ One of MATH 225 Calculus III3 (4)
MATH 281 Intro to Statistics (3)
__GEOL 321 Search for Our Past (3)
__ Sophomore Electives4 (3)
__ Gen Ed Humanities/Social Science Elective2 (3)
15-16
Second Semester
__PHYS 213 Univ. Physics II (3)
__ENGL 279 Technical Communications I (3)
__GEOL 212 Mineral. and Crystallog. (3)
__ Gen Ed Humanities/Social Science Elective2 (3)
__ Sophomore Electives4 (3)
__PE Physical Education (1)
16
JUNIOR YEAR
First Semester
__GEOL 331 Stratig. and Sedimentation (3)
__GEOL 341 Intro to Ign/Met Petrology (3)
__GEOL 316 Intro. to GIS (3)
__ENGL 289 Technical Communications II1 (3)
__ Geology Electives4 (3)
15
Second Semester
__GEOE 322 Structural Geology (3)
__GEOL 403 Regional Field Geology5 (1)
__GEOL 461 Invert. Paleontology ** (3)
__One of GeoE 324 Eng Geophysics
GeoE 482 Applied Geomorph** (3)
__ Geology Electives4 (3)
__ Humanities/Social Science Elective (1)
__PE Physical Education (1)
15
Summer
__GEOL 410 Field Geology (6)
6
SENIOR YEAR
First Semester
__GEOL 464 Senior Research I (1)
__ Geology Electives4 (6)
Free electives (3)
__ Humanities/Social Science elective (3)
13
Second Semester
__GEOL 465 Senior Research II6 (3)
__ Geology Electives4 (6)
__ Free electives (5-6)
14-15
128 semester credits are required.
**Course offered in alternate years.
Critical sequence, must be taken in the specified semester.
Curriculum Notes
1Transfer students may substitute 2 credits of free electives for IS 110.
2 Students must complete 27 credits of the general education core in their first 64 credit hours, including 6 credits of science, 3 cr math, 6 cr English/Technical Communication, 6 cr humanities, and 6 cr social science. ENGL 289 yields an addition 3 general education credits, for a total of 30.
3Students should consult an advisor when choosing math.
4 Sophomore and Geology electives must be selected from the approved lists. At least 9 credits must be taken from 400-level courses. Substitutions must be approved by dept head.
5 Paleo students may substitute Geol 371 Field Paleontology (0-2) for Geol 403; the extra credit is a geology elective.
6Under exceptional circumstances, a student may petition the department head to substitute geology electives for senior research.
Electives by Focus
Paleontology
BIOL 121/L Anatomy
BIOL 151 Gen Biology I
BIOL 123 Physiology
BIOL 153 Gen Biology II
BIOL 311 Principles of Ecology
GEOL 371 Field Paleo
GEOL 372 Dinosaurs
GEOL 472 Museum Curation
GEOL 473 Museum Prep
Resource Geology
MEM 201 Mine Surveying
MEM 433 Geoscience Modeling
GEOE 324 Eng Geophysics I#
GEOE 425 Eng Geophyics II
GEOE 451 Economic Geology
GEOE 452 Geochem Explor
GEOE 462 Drilling Engineering
GEOE 461 Petroleum Prod
GEOL 351 Earth Resources
GEOL 413 Ore Microscopy
GEOL 442 Optical Petrology
Environmental Geology
GEOE 425 Eng Geophyics II
GEOE 466 Eng/Env Geol
GEOE 462 Drilling Engineering
GEOE 468 Geohazards
GEOE 475 Ground Water*
GEOE 482 Applied Geomorph#
GEOL 351 Earth Resources
Geospatial
MEM 201 Mine Surveying
GEOE 475 Ground Water*
GEOL 376 Geospatial Field
GEOL 417 Geospatial Data
GEOL 419 Adv Geospatial Anal
GEOL 420 Remote Sensing
* Calc III prerequisite
Note: Geology majors can simultaneously satisfy elective requirements for the Geology BS and a Minor in Geospatial Technology by taking GEOL 417, GEOL 419, GEOL 420, and two courses from: MEM 201, MATH 281, GEOE 475*, or GEOL 376. Students considering the geospatial minor should take GEOL 316 Intro to GIS by their junior fall.
