Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 SDSM&T Academic Catalog 
    
2020-2021 SDSM&T Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Geology, BS


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Contact Information

Dr. Laurie Anderson, Department Head 
Department of Geology and Geological Engineering
Mineral Industries 303
(605) 394-2461
E-mail: Laurie.Anderson@sdsmt.edu

GEOL Flowchart  

Geology/Paleontology Curriculum/Checklist


It is the student’s responsibility to check with his or her advisor for any program modifications that may occur after the publication of this catalog. When planning coursework, students are advised that the courses GEOL 212/212L , GEOL 341/341L , GEOL 322/322L  and GEOL 410  form a critical sequence that must be taken in the order listed. Students may select program electives (those with a GEOL or GEOE prefix) and free electives (college credits approved by the student’s academic advisor) in six focus areas including Energy and Mineral Resources, Environmental Geology, Geophysics, Geospatial Technology, Paleontology, and Solid Earth and Tectonics. For more information on the geology bachelor’s degree see the Department of Geology and Geological Engineering  page under Undergraduate Studies in this catalog.

Freshman Year


First Semester


Total: 16

Second Semester


Total: 14

Sophomore Year


Second Semester


Total: 15

Junior Year


First Semester


Total: 15

Second Semester


Total: 15

Summer


Total: 6

Senior Year


First Semester


Total: 13

Second Semester


Total: 13-14

120 credits required for graduation


Curriculum Notes


1 Students must complete 30 credits of the general education core including 6 credits of science (with at least 1 credit lab), 3 credits of math, 9 credits of writing/communication, 6 credits of humanities, and 6 credits of social sciences.ENGL 101 ENGL 279 , and ENGL 289   are recommended English courses for the Geology major. General education courses must be chosen from an approved list in the university catalog. Students should consult the “General Education Requirements ” section of this catalog for a complete listing of all general education requirements.

2 Some students may need preparatory math in the first semester, such as MATH 120 , which will offset completion of the required mathematics sequence of MATH 123 MATH 125 , and MATH 381 .

3 GGE program electives must have a GEOL or GEOE prefix. At least 6 of the 12 total credits must be taken from 400-level courses. Substitutions must be approved by the department head.

4 A grade of C or better is required in these courses for graduation with a Geology B.S. degree and for advancement into some subsequent required courses. Check prerequisite requirements on course descriptions.  

5 Students must also take one (1) additional free elective credit to reach the 120 credits required for graduation.

6 Student must take at least one of these electives in geological resources: GEOE 475/475L/575/575L , GEOL 351 GEOL 451/451L , and GEOL 476/576 .

7 Free electives are courses with any prefix that are approved by the academic advisor. Excluded are CHEM 106 /CHEM 106L , CSC 105 , MATH 100 MATH 101 MATH 114 MATH 114L MATH 115 MATH 116/116L MATH 120 MATH 281 , PHYS 111 PHYS 111L PHYS 113 , and PHYS 113L .

8 Students must take one of these two courses: GEOE 324/324L  or GEOL 456/456L/556/556L 9. If both are taken, the second may serve as a GGE program elective.

9 GEOL 456/456L/556/556L  is offered in alternate years.

Choosing Electives for Career Paths


Program electives (courses with a GEOL or GEOE prefix) and free electives (other courses approved by a student’s academic advisor) can be chosen to focus in one of six career paths or from two or more career paths, depending on a student’s interests.

Students are strongly encouraged to consult with their advisor in selecting a career path and electives.

Recommended Electives for Career Paths


Energy and Mineral Resources


Recommended electives for energy and mineral resource geology include:

Geospatial Technology


Recommended electives for geospatial technology include:

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