Academic Programs Catalog

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Geological Sciences

1. The University requirements for bachelor's degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Geological Sciences.
   
   The University's Tier II writing requirement for the Geological Sciences major is met by completing Geological Sciences 401.  That courses is referenced in item 3. b. below.
   
   Students who are enrolled in the College of Natural Science may complete the alternative track to Integrative Studies in Biological and Physical Sciences that is described in item 1. under the heading Graduation Requirements in the College statement.  Certain courses referenced in requirement 3. below may be used to satisfy the alternative track.
2. The requirements of the College of Natural Science for the Bachelor of Science degree.
   
   The credits earned in certain courses referenced in requirement 3. below may be counted toward College requirements as appropriate.
3. The following requirements for the major:

   a.	The following courses outside the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (26 or 27 credits):
   	(1)	All of the following courses (8 credits):
   		CEM	161	Chemistry Laboratory I			1
   		MTH	132	Calculus I			3
   		MTH	133	Calculus II			4
   	(2)	One of the following pairs of courses (7 credits):
   		(a)	CEM	141	General Chemistry		4
   			CEM	142	General and Inorganic Chemistry		3
   		(b)	CEM	151	General and Descriptive Chemistry		4
   			CEM	152	Principles of Chemistry		3
   	(3)	One of the following options (3 or 4 credits):
   		(a)	MTH	234	Multivariable Calculus		4
   		(b)	One course of at least 3 credits in statistics and probability.
   	(4)	One of the following groups of courses (8 credits):
   		(a)	PHY	231	Introductory Physics I		3
   			PHY	232	Introductory Physics II		3
   			PHY	251	Introductory Physics Laboratory I		1
   			PHY	252	Introductory Physics Laboratory II		1
   		(b)	PHY	183	Physics for Scientists and Engineers I		4
   			PHY	184	Physics for Scientists and Engineers II		4
   b.	The following courses in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (40 credits):
   	GLG	201	The Dynamic Earth				4
   	GLG	304	Physical and Biological History of the Earth				4
   	GLG	321	Mineralogy and Geochemistry				4
   	GLG	361	Petrology				4
   	GLG	401	Global Tectonics and Earth Structure (W)				4
   	GLG	431	Sedimentology and Stratigraphy				4
   	GLG	491	Field Geology – Summer Camp (W)				6
   	Ten additional credits in Geological Sciences courses at the 300–400 level. Plant Biology 335 and Microbiology and Molecular Genetics 426 may be used to satisfy either the requirements for the major or the requirements referenced under the heading Graduation Requirements in the College statement, but not both of those requirements. The credits that are used to satisfy this requirement may be used to satisfy either the requirements for the geological sciences major or the requirements for the environmental geosciences major, but not both of those requirements.
   	The completion of Geological Sciences 491 fulfills the department's capstone course requirement.

Concentration in Geophysics

A concentration in geophysics is also available. Students must complete all of the following courses. Courses that are used to satisfy the requirements for the concentration may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree in Geological Sciences. The concentration will be noted on the student’s transcript.