Geology, BS

First Semester

• GEOL 110L Introduction to Geology, Geological Engineering, and Mining Engineering Lab Credits: (0-1) 1
• GEOL 201/201L Physical Geology/Lab Credits: (3-1) 4 ¹
• CHEM 112 General Chemistry I Credits: (3-0) 3 ¹
• CHEM 112L General Chemistry I Lab Credits: (0-1) 1 ¹
• ENGL 101 Composition I Credits: (3-0) 3 ¹
• MATH 123 Calculus I Credits: (4-0) 4 ¹

Second Semester

• CHEM 114 General Chemistry II Credits: (3-0) 3 ¹
• CHEM 114L General Chemistry II Lab Credits: (0-1) 1
• MATH 125 Calculus II Credits: (4-0) 4
• Program Elective Credits: 3 ²
• General Education Goal 3 or 4 Elective  Credits: 3 ¹

First Semester

• GEOL 212/212L Mineralogy and Crystallography/Lab Credits: (3-0) 3 ^{3, 4}
• GEOL 323/323L Search for Our Past/Lab Credits: (3-1) 4 ³
• CSC 170/170L Programming for Engineers and Scientists Credits: (3-0) 3
• ENGL 279 Communication in the STEM Workplace Credits: (3-0) 3 ¹
• General Education Goal 3 or 4 Elective Credits: 3 ¹

Second Semester

• GEOL 341/341L Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology/Lab Credits: (3-0) 3 ^{3, 4}
• GEOL 416/416L/516/516L Introduction to GIS/Lab Credits: (3-0) 3 ³
• PHYS 211/211L University Physics I/Lab Credits: (4-1) 5
• ENGL 289 STEM Communication for Technical and Public Audiences Credits: (3-0) 3 ¹

First Semester

• GEOL 331/331L Stratigraphy and Sedimentation/Lab Credits: (3-0) 3 ^{3, 4}
• PHYS 213/213L University Physics II/Lab Credits: (4-1) 5
• Resource requirement or Program Elective(s) Credits: 3 ^{2, 5}
• General Education Goal 3 or Goal 4 Elective Credits: 3 ¹

Second Semester

• GEOL 322/322L Structural Geology/Lab Credits: (3-0) 3 ^{3, 4}
• GEOE 456/556/456L/556L Statistical Methods in Geology and Geological Engineering/Lab Credits: (2-1) 3
• GEOE 482/482L/582/582L Applied Geomorphology/Lab Credits: (3-0) 3
• Resource requirement or Program Elective(s)  Credits: 3 ^{2, 5}
• General Education Goal 3 or Goal 4 Elective Credits: 3 ¹

Summer

• GEOL 410 Field Geology Credits: (0-6) 6 ^{3, 4}

First Semester

• GEOL 421/521 Aqueous Geochemistry Credits: (3-0) 3 ³
• GEOL 464 Senior Research Credits: (0-1) 1 ³
• Geophysics requirement or Program Elective(s) Credits: 6 ^{2, 6, 7}
• Advisor Approved Elective Credits: 3 ⁸

Second Semester

• GEOL 461/461L Invertebrate Paleontology/Lab Credits: (3-0) 3 ³
• Geophysics requirement or Program Elective(s) Credits: 6 ^{2, 6, 7}
• Advisor Approved Elective Credits: 3 ⁸

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.

² Select 15 credits from courses with a GEOL or GEOE prefix. Six of the 15 credits must be taken at the 400-level. Excluded are GEOE 110L , GEOE 221/221L , and GEOL 201/201L . 

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.  

⁴ These courses (GEOL 212/212L ,GEOL 341/341L , GEOL 331/331L , GEOL 322/322L , 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.

⁵ 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.

⁶ Students must take one of these two courses: GEOE 324/324L  ³ or GEOL 456/456L/556/556L  ^{3, 7}. If both are taken, the second may serve as a Program Elective (will not require a “C” or higher if used as Program Elective).

⁷ GEOL 456/456L/556/556L  is offered in alternate years.

⁸ Work with your advisor to select six 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. Also excluded are: CSC 111/111L , CSC 150/150L , GEOE 110L , MEM 110L , GEOE 221/221L , and GEOL 201/201L .  

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.

Objectives and Outcomes

Program Educational Objectives:

1. Pursue productive careers as geoscientists and/or succeed in graduate or professional educational programs
2. Continue professional growth, including – but not limited to – becoming leaders in professional organizations and/or earning licensures or certifications
3. Become advocates for science through effective communication to broad audiences

Student Outcomes:

1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve broadly defined technical or scientific problems by applying knowledge of mathematics and science and/or technical topics to areas relevant to the discipline.
2. An ability to formulate or design a system, process, procedure or program to meet desired needs.
3. An ability to develop and conduct experiments or test hypotheses, analyze and interpret data and use scientific judgment to draw conclusions.
4. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
5. An ability to understand ethical and professional responsibilities and the impact of technical and/or scientific solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
6. An ability to function effectively on teams that establish goals, plan tasks, meet deadlines, and analyze risk and uncertainty.