College of Geosciences

Curricula in Geology

Bachelor of Science

The first two years of the B.S. program in Geology, which are identical to the B.S. in Geophysics, provide students with the basics of geology and geophysics and the allied fields of chemistry, physics, mathematics and computer science. The junior and senior years involve more advanced study in the field of geology, including the opportunity to concentrate study in specific disciplines such as petroleum geology and geophysics, environmental and engineering geology, hydrogeology, and others. Students are also encouraged to become involved in research problems with faculty members during their undergraduate studies, which can be accomplished through classes in Directed Studies (GEOL 285 and 485).

The B.S. degree is considered the preparatory degree in the field of geology. Those students desiring employment in industry are encouraged to pursue an M.S. degree. Students planning a research or university teaching career should pursue a Ph.D. degree.

FRESHMAN YEAR

First Semester (Th-Pr) Cr   Second Semester (Th-Pr) Cr
CHEM 101 Fund. of Chemistry I (3-3) 4   ENGL 210 Scientific and Tech. Writing 1 (3-0) 3
ENGL 104 Comp. and Rhetoric (3-0) 3   CHEM 102 Fund. of Chemistry II (3-3) 4
GEOL 104 Physical Geology (3-3) 4   GEOL 106 Historical Geology (3-3) 4
MATH 151 Engineering Math. I (3-2) 4   MATH 152 Engineering Math. II (3-2) 4
    15       15

SOPHOMOARE YEAR

First Semester (Th-Pr) Cr   Second Semester (Th-Pr) Cr
GEOL 203 Mineralogy (2-6) 4   GEOL 302 Introduction to Petrology (3-3) 4
GEOP 341 Intro. to Global Geophysics (3-0) 3   GEOL 309 Intro. to Geol. Field Methods (1-6) 3
MATH 251 Engineering Math. III (3-0) 3   GEOL 311 Prin. of Geological Writing (1-0) 1
PHYS 218 Mechanics (3-3) 4   MATH 308 Differential Equations (3-0) 3
* KINE 198 Health and Fitness Activity (0-2) 1   PHYS 219 Electricity (3-3) 4
    15   * KINE 199 Required Physical Activity   1
            16

JUNIOR YEAR

First Semester (Th-Pr) Cr   Second Semester (Th-Pr) Cr
GEOL 304 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology (3-3) 4   GEOL 306 Sedimentology and Stratigraphy (3-3) 4
GEOL 305 Paleobiology (2-3) 3   GEOL 312 Struct. Geology and Tectonics (3-3) 4
Computer science 3   3   GEOL 451 Geochemistry (3-0) 3
U.S. history or political science elective 2   3   Humanities elective 4   3
    13   U.S. history or political science elective 2   3
            17

SUMMER FIELD STUDIES

GEOL 300 Field Geology Credit 6

SENIOR YEAR

First Semester (Th-Pr) Cr   Second Semester (Th-Pr) Cr
Geology elective 5   3   Geology elective 5   3
Technical elective 6   4   U.S. history or political science elective 2   3
U.S. history or political science elective 2   3   Social and behavioral sciences elective 4   3
Visual and performing arts elective 4   3   Technical electives 6   6
General elective 7   3       15
    16        
   
Total Hours
128
NOTES:
  1. Students with junior or senior classification may substitute ENGL 301.
  2. These electives must be selected from the approved list of courses satisfying the University Core Curriculum.
  3. Computer science course must entail programming with a high-level language.
  4. These electives must be selected from the approved list of courses satisfying the University Core Curriculum AND 6 hours must be selected from courses that also satisfy the international and cultural diversity requirement (see item 6).
  5. Any approved 400-level geology or geophysics course not already required.
  6. Any science, math or engineering course that augments the degree with the approval of the advisor.
  7. General electives MAY NOT include BUAD 100; CAEN 011-499; CAEN 001-499; DEVS 001-499; ENGL 100, 103; GEOL 101, 104; KINE 198, 199; LBAR 201; MATH 102, 103, 131, 142, 150, 151, 152, 171, 172, 221, 251, 253; PHYS 201, 202, 208, 219; AERS 100-499; MLSC 100-499; NVSC 100-499; SOMS 100-499.

* See University Core Curriculum, item 7.