Bachelor of Science

Program Description

Geology encompasses the study of minerals, rocks, ancient life and Earth history, earthquakes, volcanoes, flooding, coastal erosion, tsunami, mountain belts, economic resources, landslides, environmental pollution and water resources. Geologists are, in fact, among the primary workers engaged in studying and protecting the Earth's environment

Students in the B.S. Earth and Space Sciences-Geology track take fundamental coursework in the fields of mineralogy and petrology, sedimentology and stratigraphy, structural geology and tectonics, hydrology and geochemistry, geomorphology, paleontology, paleoclimate and environmental geology. Most courses include a laboratory, and many include a field component. In preparation for upper level geology coursework, students take one year of chemistry and physics courses, as well as calculus. Interested students may have the opportunity to participate in undergraduate research with geology faculty.

Career Opportunities

From mineral and energy exploration, to monitoring of volcanoes and landslides, to environmental protection and regulation; geologists are employed in a wide variety of fields across the globe. Many geologists work in the fields of energy and mineral exploration, where salaries are the most lucrative. Other geologists work to protect society from volcanoes, earthquakes, landslides, and floods. Some geologists study Earth history in order to understand changes in life, climate and other Earth systems through time. A significant number of geologists work to protect society from environmental degradation, including soil and water pollution, and are employed in both the private and public sector. Many of these geologists are employed as environmental scientists, which along with geoscientists are consistently ranked among the fastest growing occupations in the U.S. economy by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Admission Requirements

There are no program specific admission requirements.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the B.S. Earth and Space Science program, Geology track, will be able to:

• Demonstrate a working knowledge of the major areas of geology (mineralogy, petrology, paleontology, stratigraphy, structural geology, environmental geology, hydrology, geomorphology) and utilize this knowledge to solve basic geological problems.
• Communicate geological concepts, data, and interpretations to others in both written and oral format.
• Demonstrate the ability to assemble diverse geologic data in environmental, economic, and regional geologic interpretations, typical of the tasks requested in entry level geologic employment or graduate school

Additional Program Requirements

There are no program specific academic regulations.

Program of Study

Area A Essential Skills Required Hours: 9
ENGL 1101 (with a grade of "C" or better)
ENGL 1102 (with a grade of "C" or better)
MATH 1113 or MATH 1131*
*Extra hour applied to Area F

Area B Institutional Options Required Hours: 4
COMM 1110
Select one of the following courses:

OR
Select one of the following courses:
Foreign Language 1001, 1002, 2001, or 2002
Any Area C-E course with a study abroad component.

Note: the two extra hours may be used as electives.

Area C Humanities/Fine Arts/Ethics Required Hours: 6
Select one of the following humanities courses:

Select one of the following fine arts courses: *ITDS 1145, though listed under both humanities and fine arts, may be taken only once.

Area D Science/Math/Technology Required Hours: 11
Select two lab science courses from below: MATH 1131* or MATH 1132*
*Extra hour applied to Area F

Area E Social Sciences Required Hours: 12
Select one course from the following two courses:
HIST 2111
HIST 2112
Take the following course:
POLS 1101
Select one behavioral science course from the following courses:

Select one world cultures course from the following courses:

Wellness Requirement Required Hours: 3
PHED 1205
Select any one PEDS course.

Area F Courses Related to Major Required Hours: 18
“C”or better required in each course
GEOL 1121 Intro Geo 1: Physical Geology
GEOL 1121L Intro Geo 1: Physical Geology 1 Lab
Take the following physics sequence:
PHYS 1111 Introductory Physics 1
PHYS 1112 Introductory Physics 2
PHYS 1311 Introductory Physics 1 Lab
PHYS 1312 Introductory Physics 2 Lab
OR
PHYS 2211 Principles of Physics 1
PHYS 2212 Principles of Physics 2
PHYS 2311 Principles of Physics 1 Lab
PHYS 2312 Principles of Physics 2 Lab

Select 3 or more hours from the following:
ASTR 1105 Descriptive Astronomy: The Solar System
ASTR 1305 Descriptive Astronomy Lab
ASTR 1106 Descriptive Astronomy: Stars and Galaxies
BIOL 1215K Principles of Biology
ENVS 1105 Environmental Studies
ENVS 1205K Sustainability and the Environment
GEOL 1110 Natural Sciences

Up to 3 can be added from Areas A, B and/or D with advisor approval.

Area G Program Requirements Required Hours: 35
“C”or better required in each course

Take one of the following:
GEOL 5165 Introduction to Hydrology
GEOL 5215 Geomorphology

Area H Program Electives Required Hours: 25
Select 25 hours from the following electives:
Any 3000+ level GEOL or ENVS course not already used to satisfy Area G requirements. Up to 12 hours of ASTR, ENGR, GEOG and/or MATH courses may count towards Area H with advisor approval if the 39  hour upper level course requirement is met. 

Total Hours Required: 123