Geology Program Requirements

Faculty

• David Goldsmith (Chair)
• Tiffany Rivera
• Nick Pollock

View Geology Courses

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 an 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 the 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 College requirements

For course prerequisites, please refer to the course descriptions.

Geology Major

Recommended Plan of Study for Geology