• Explain the fundamental concepts of geology including the origin, composition, and evolution of the Earth and its components, and how the Earth system responds to internal and external forces over geologic time.
• Analyze, interpret, and model geological data using a variety of critical thinking skills and techniques to test hypotheses.
• Utilize applied practical skills in geology in the laboratory, field, and in internships or directed research at a basic and advanced level through intensive experiential learning.
• Develop quantitative literacy in techniques specific to geology.
• Effectively communicate scientific observations and interpretations through oral, written and graphical presentations to scientists and the general public.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Basic Mathematics and Science Requirements
MTH 251	*DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS	4
MTH 252	INTEGRAL CALCULUS	4
CH 231 & CH 261	GENERAL CHEMISTRY and *LABORATORY FOR CHEMISTRY 231	5
or CH 121	GENERAL CHEMISTRY
CH 232 & CH 262	GENERAL CHEMISTRY and *LABORATORY FOR CHEMISTRY 232	5
or CH 122	*GENERAL CHEMISTRY
PH 211	*GENERAL PHYSICS WITH CALCULUS	4-5
or PH 201	*GENERAL PHYSICS
PH 212	*GENERAL PHYSICS WITH CALCULUS	4-5
or PH 202	*GENERAL PHYSICS
ST 351	INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICAL METHODS	4
Additional Chemistry or Physics
Select one of the following:		4-5
CH 123	*GENERAL CHEMISTRY
CH 233 & CH 263	GENERAL CHEMISTRY and *LABORATORY FOR CHEMISTRY 233
PH 203	*GENERAL PHYSICS
PH 213	*GENERAL PHYSICS WITH CALCULUS
Geology Foundation Courses
GEO 201	*PHYSICAL GEOLOGY	4
GEO 202	*EARTH SYSTEMS SCIENCE	4
GEO 203	*EVOLUTION OF PLANET EARTH	4
GEOG 360	GISCIENCE I: GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND THEORY	4
Geology Core Courses
GEO 295	INTRODUCTION TO FIELD GEOLOGY	3
GEO 301	GEOSCIENCES DATA ANALYSIS	4
GEO 310	EARTH MATERIALS I: MINERALOGY	4
GEO 315	EARTH MATERIALS II: PETROLOGY	4
GEO 322	SURFACE PROCESSES	4
GEO 340	STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY	4
GEO 370	STRATIGRAPHY AND SEDIMENTOLOGY	4
GEO 415	EARTH MATERIALS III: PETROGRAPHY	4
GEO 430	^GEOCHEMISTRY	4
GEO 463	^GEOPHYSICS AND TECTONICS	4
GEO 487	HYDROGEOLOGY	4
GEO 495	ADVANCED FIELD GEOLOGY	6
Geology Elective Specialization
Select four courses from the following categories:		12-16
Solid Earth
GEO 412	IGNEOUS PETROLOGY
GEO 440	ECONOMIC GEOLOGY
GEO 497	FIELD MAPPING OF ORE DEPOSITS
Natural Hazards
GEO 427	^VOLCANOLOGY
GEO 433	COASTAL GEOMORPHOLOGY
GEO 461	GEOLOGY OF EARTHQUAKES
Earth Surface
BI 427	PALEOBIOLOGY
GEO 431	ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY
GEO 432	APPLIED GEOMORPHOLOGY
GEO 477	GLACIERS IN THE CLIMATE SYSTEM
GEO 481	GLACIAL GEOLOGY
GEO 484	INTRODUCTION TO BIOGEOCHEMISTRY
GEO 486	QUATERNARY PALEOCLIMATOLOGY
GEO 488	QUATERNARY STRATIGRAPHY OF NORTH AMERICA
GEOG 380	REMOTE SENSING: PRINCIPLES AND APPLICATIONS
GEOG 423	SNOW HYDROLOGY
OC 360	GEOLOGICAL OCEANOGRAPHY
Credits from the following courses may count toward an elective specialization with approval from the Program Head: 1
400-level courses in other departments or programs (e.g., ATS, OC)
GEO 403	THESIS
GEO 499	SPECIAL TOPICS
500-level courses GEO and GPH courses
Additional Bacc Core Courses		33-40
General Electives		22-36
Total Credits		180

*

Baccalaureate Core Course (BCC)

^

Writing Intensive Course (WIC)

1

GEO 401 and GEO 410 will not be approved as an elective specialization course

Degree plans are subject to change and the following is only an example of how students may complete their degree in four years. Students should consult their advisor to determine the best degree plan for them. Contact details for advisors can be found on the Academic Advising page.

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
FALL		CREDITS
CH 231 & CH 261	GENERAL CHEMISTRY and *LABORATORY FOR CHEMISTRY 231	5
GEO 201	*PHYSICAL GEOLOGY	4
WR 121	*ENGLISH COMPOSITION	4
MTH 251	*DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS	4
	Credits	17
WINTER
CH 232 & CH 262	GENERAL CHEMISTRY and *LABORATORY FOR CHEMISTRY 232	5
GEO 202	*EARTH SYSTEMS SCIENCE	4
HHS 231	*LIFETIME FITNESS FOR HEALTH	2
MTH 252	INTEGRAL CALCULUS	4
Bacc Core - PAC		1
	Credits	16
SPRING
CH 233 & CH 263	GENERAL CHEMISTRY and *LABORATORY FOR CHEMISTRY 233	5
COMM 111 or COMM 114	*PUBLIC SPEAKING or *ARGUMENT AND CRITICAL DISCOURSE	3
GEO 203	*EVOLUTION OF PLANET EARTH	4
General Elective		4
	Credits	16
Second Year
FALL
GEO 295	INTRODUCTION TO FIELD GEOLOGY (occurs before term)	3
GEO 301	GEOSCIENCES DATA ANALYSIS	4
GEO 310	EARTH MATERIALS I: MINERALOGY	4
PH 211	*GENERAL PHYSICS WITH CALCULUS	4
	Credits	15
WINTER
GEO 315	EARTH MATERIALS II: PETROLOGY	4
PH 212	*GENERAL PHYSICS WITH CALCULUS	4
Bacc Core - Biological Science		4
Bacc Core - Literature and Arts		3
	Credits	15
SPRING
GEO 415	EARTH MATERIALS III: PETROGRAPHY	4
ST 351	INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICAL METHODS	4
Bacc Core - Difference, Power & Discrimination		3
General Elective		4
	Credits	15
Third Year
FALL
GEO 322	SURFACE PROCESSES	4
GEOG 360	GISCIENCE I: GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND THEORY	4
Bacc Core - Social Processes and Institutions		4
	Credits	12
WINTER
GEO 370	STRATIGRAPHY AND SEDIMENTOLOGY	4
GEO Upper Division Elective		4
Bacc Core - Western Culture		3
Bacc Core - Cultural Diversity		3
	Credits	14
SPRING
GEO 340	STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY	4
GEO Upper Division Elective		4
Bacc Core - Writing II		3
General Elective		3
	Credits	14
SUMMER
GEO 495	ADVANCED FIELD GEOLOGY	6
	Credits	6
Fourth Year
FALL
GEO 487	HYDROGEOLOGY	4
GEO Upper Division Elective		4
General Elective		3
General Elective		3
	Credits	14
WINTER
GEO 430	^GEOCHEMISTRY	4
Bacc Core - Science, Technology and Society		3
General Elective		3
General Elective		3
	Credits	13
SPRING
GEO 463	^GEOPHYSICS AND TECTONICS	4
Bacc Core - Contemporary Global Issues		3
GEO Upper Division Elective		3
General Elective		3
	Credits	13
	Total Credits	180