Departments & Programs

Geological Sciences

Major in Geological Sciences—B.S.

Purpose

The B.S. curriculum includes more science requirements than the B.A. and is designed for students who plan advanced study or professional employment in the geological sciences.

Required Courses

Students must complete the following Foundations, Intensive Writing, Foreign Language, and Breadth of Inquiry requirements:

  1. Writing, same as B.A. degree (Intensive Writing, English Composition).
  2. Foreign language, 3 credit hours at the second-year level.
  3. Arts and humanities, two courses.
  4. Social and historical studies, two courses.
  5. Natural and mathematical sciences, fulfilled by major.

The requirements for the major are:

  1. Any 100-level course in the geological sciences. G111 or G104 is recommended.
  2. G221, G222, G323, G334, and G429.
  3. Three formal 3 or 4 credit hour geological sciences courses at the 400 level.
  4. Chemistry C117; C118 is recommended.
  5. Mathematics M211 and M212.
  6. Physics P221 and P222.
  7. Biology L111 or L112.
  8. Two courses at the 300 or 400 level, intended for science majors, selected from Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Mathematics. Recommended courses include Biology B300 or Z374; Chemistry C360 or C361; Mathematics M311 or M343; and Physics P331 or P340. These courses must be selected from two different departments.
  9. One additional formal 3 credit course at the 300 or 400 level from any of the following departments: Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, or Physics, or one additional formal 3 credit geological sciences course at the 400 level.

Students should satisfy the 100- and 200-level allied sciences and mathematics requirements at the earliest possible date.

Students must also complete the degree requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences.