Mar 29, 2024  
2022-2023 Academic Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Geology, BS


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

Department Website

Students are responsible for checking with their advisors for any program modifications that may occur after the publication of this catalog.

GEOL Flowchart  

Curriculum Checklist


Freshman Year


First Semester


Total: 16

Second Semester


Total: 14

Sophomore Year


Total: 14

Second Semester


Total: 14-15

Junior Year


First Semester


Total: 16

Second Semester


Total: 15

Summer


Total: 6

Senior Year


First Semester


Total: 12-13

Second Semester


Total: 12

Total credits: 120


Notes:


1 Fulfills General Education requirement. Students should consult the “General Education Requirements ” section of this catalog for a complete listing of all general education requirements.

Select 12 credits from courses with a GEOL or GEOE prefix. Six of the 12 credits must be taken at the 400-level.

3 A grade of “C” or higher is required in these courses for graduation with a Geology BS degree and for advancement into some subsequent required courses. Check prerequisite requirements on course descriptions.  

These courses (GEOL 212/212L GEOL 322/322L GEOL 341/341L GEOL 410 ) form a critical sequence that must be taken in the order listed in the Curriculum Checklist. Work with your advisor to ensure your course plan follows what is needed to complete the sequence.

Three-credit version required for major.

6 One additional credit of Advisor Approved Electives is required if using CSC 111/111L .

7 Select one course from: GEOE 475/475L/575/575L , GEOL 351 GEOL 451/451L , and GEOL 476/576 . If additional courses are taken, they may serve as a Program Electives.

8 Work with your advisor to select eight to nine credits from any discipline excluding basic introductory courses, such as: 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 PHYS 113L  , or ENGL 0XX-level courses.

9 Students must take one of these two courses: GEOE 324/324L  3 or GEOL 456/456L/556/556L  3, 10. If both are taken, the second may serve as a Program Elective (will not require a “C” or higher if used as Program Elective).

10 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: