Geology
Faculty: David Goldsmith, Tiffany Rivera, Dan Byrne
Program Goals
- Critical Thinking
- Ability to synthesize multiple lines of evidence and multiple sources of data to support geologic hypotheses
- Ability to use an Earth Systems perspective to integrate understanding of geologic processes across disciplines
- Creativity
- Ability to evaluate data necessary to answer a particular question
- Ability to think and extrapolate across a broad range of temporal and dimensional scales
- Collaboration
- Ability to work collaboratively to break a complex problem into simpler, individually achievable tasks
- Ability to work together constructively in challenging field environments
- Communication
- Ability to explain geologic information at a level appropriate to the audience
- Ability to read and understand the geologic literature and to create original research reports
- Ability to communicate scientific information through verbal and written presentation of data, graphics, and maps.
- Global Responsibility
- Ability to assess the effects of human activity on the natural environment
- Ability to bring a geologic perspective to discussions of social issues
Objectives
The Geology program offers a Bachelor of Science degree for students interested in understanding the earth. The degree incorporates a diversity of both perspectives and methods. Classes incorporate lecture, lab, and fieldwork to study our planet’s physical, chemical, and biological history.
Program Requirements
Students must maintain a minimum 2.3 GPA in all courses required for the major.Students must meet the college-wide graduation requirements in addition to the Geology major:
- 124 total hours
- 30 upper division hours
- WCore or Honors requirements
For course prerequisites, please refer to the course descriptions.
Geology Major
Requirement Description | Credit Hours | Prerequisites |
I. World Language Requirement | 8 | |
The student must complete eight credit hours in a single world language. | ||
II. Lower Division Geology Courses | 18 | |
GEOL 201 Earth Materials I: Mineralogy (4) | GEOL 107 or 111 Co-requisite: GEOL 201L and CHEM 111 |
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GEOL 210 Historical Geology (4) | GEOL 107 or GEOL 111 | |
GEOL 214 Sedimentology and Stratigraphy (4) | GEOL 107 or 111 Co-requisite: GEOL 214L |
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GEOL 260 Geoliteracy (2) | GEOL 107 or 111 | |
Choose one of the following courses: | ||
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III. Upper Division Geology Courses | 18 | |
GEOL 301 Earth Materials II: Petrology (4) | GEOL 201 Co-requisite: GEOL 301L |
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GEOL 310 Structural Geology and Tectonics (4) |
GEOL 107 or 111 |
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GEOL 315 Principles of Paleontology (4) | ||
GEOL 360 Field Geology (6) | GEOL 214, GEOL 301, GEOL 310, and GEOL 107 or 111 | |
Electives | 8 | |
Students must take an additional eight credits in geology, including at least one course at the 400 level. | ||
Required Courses from Other Programs | 24 | |
CHEM 111 Principles of Chemistry I (4) | Pre or co-requisite: MATH 144 or MATH 143 | |
CHEM 112 Principles of Chemistry II (4) | CHEM 111 | |
MATH 201 Calculus I (4) | MATH 144 | |
MATH 202 Calculus II (4) | MATH 201 | |
PHYS 151 Principles of Physics I (4) or PHYS 211 Physics for Scientists and Engineers I (4) | MATH 144 | |
PHYS 152 Principles of Physics II (4) or PHYS 212 Physics for Scientists and Engineers II (4) | PHYS 151 or PHYS 211 | |
TOTAL HOURS FOR GEOLOGY MAJOR | 76 |
Recommended Plan of Study for Geology
Fall Semester | Spring Semester | |
Freshman Year | Geology Learning Community CHEM 111 MATH 201 |
CHEM 112 MATH 202 GEOL 210 GEOL 260 |
Sophomore Year | GEOL 201 PHYS 151 |
GEOL 301 GEOL 214 PHYS 152 |
Junior Year | GEOL 315 DATA 220 (recommended for students considering graduate school) |
GEOL 310 GEOL 360 (summer) GEOL Electives |
Senior Year | GEOL Electives | GEOL Electives |
Geology Minor
Requirement Description | Credit Hours | Prerequisites |
I. Required Geology Courses | 18 | |
GEOL 201 Earth Materials I: Mineralogy (4) | GEOL 107 or 111 Co-requisite: GEOL 201L and CHEM 111 |
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GEOL 210 Historical Geology (4) | GEOL 107 or GEOL 111 | |
GEOL 214 Sedimentology and Stratigraphy (4) | GEOL 107 or 111 Co-requisite: GEOL 214L |
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GEOL 260 Geoliteracy (2) | GEOL 107 or 111 | |
GEOL 301 Earth Materials II: Petrology (4) | GEOL 201 Co-requisite: GEOL 301L |
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Choose one of the following courses: | ||
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Electives | 4 | |
Students wishing to complete a minor must take an additional four credits in Geology. | ||
TOTAL HOURS FOR GEOLOGY MINOR | 26 |