Department of Earth and Environmental Science

Geology Major and Minor

GEOLOGY MAJOR REQUIREMENTS

(Minimum 15 credits for Major / 35 credits total)

Preparation in chemistry, mathematics, and physics is essential for a Geology Major, and courses in these subjects should be included in the first and second year of the program.

Geology 100 and 111 should be taken (concurrently if possible) ideally before the end of the sophomore year.

REQUIRED COURSES (11 CU’s):

GEOL 100 : Introduction to Geology (1 cu)
GEOL 111 : Geology Laboratory (1 cu)
GEOL 201 : Mineralogy (1 cu)
GEOL 205 : Paleontology (1 cu)
GEOL 206 : Stratigraphy (1 cu)
GEOL 208 : Structural Geology (1 cu)
GEOL 317 : Petrography and Petrology (1 cu)
MATH 104 : Calculus, Part I (1 cu)
PHYS 101: General Physics: Mechanics, Heat and Sound (1 cu)
PHYS 011 Physics Lab (0.5 cu)
CHEM 101: General Chemistry I (1 cu) OR  CHEM 001: Introductory Chemistry I (1 cu)
CHEM 053: General Chemistry Laboratory I (0.5 cu) OR CHEM 051: Intro Chemistry Lab I (0.5 cu)

CHOOSE ONE COURSE FROM EACH OF TWO DIFFERENT DISCIPLINES (MATH, CHEMISTRY AND/OR PHYSICS) FROM THE FOLLOWING LIST(2 CU’S):

MATH

MATH 114 Calculus Part II
MATH 115 Calculus Part II with Probability and Matrices
STAT 111: Intro Statistics

CHEMISTRY

GEOL 418: Geochemistry

PHYSICS

GEOL 420: Geophysics

CHOOSE TWO ADVANCED COURSES FROM THE FOLLOWING LIST (2 CU’S):

(Equivalents may be substituted with prior approval from the Geology Advisor)

GEOL 415 : Paleobotany
GEOL 428 : Intro to Isotope Geochemistry
GEOL 477 : Vertebrate Paleontology
GEOL 501 : Pleistocene Geology
GEOL 511 : Geology of Soils
GEOL 515 : Evolution/Revolution of Land Ecosystems
GEOL 528 : Aqueous Geochemistry
GEOL 530 : Hydrogeology
GEOL 546 : Regional Analysis
ENVS 541 : Geographical Information Systems

RELATED PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE:

Each student is encouraged to attend a summer Geology Field Course.  Please see Jane Dmochowski for information regarding qualifying geology field courses.  Students majoring in Geology with an interest in Oceanography may want to consider ENVS 295: Maritime Science and Technology, The Sea Semester.  A joint major in Environmental Studies may also be of interest.

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GEOLOGY MAJOR: HONORS REQUIREMENTS

(Minimum 19 credits for the major / 35 credits total)

Qualifying students preparing for graduate study in the geosciences should select the honors program.

Course Sequence*:

GEOL 100 : Introduction to Geology
GEOL 111 : Geology Laboratory
GEOL 201 : Mineralogy
GEOL 205 : Palaeontology
GEOL 206 : Stratigraphy
GEOL 208 : Structural Geology
GEOL 317 : Petrography and Petrology
GEOL 390 : Summer Course in Geologic Field Methods
GEOL 417 : Advanced Petrology
GEOL 420 : Introduction to Geophysics
GEOL 480 : Senior Seminar (elective, highly recommended for seniors)

Plus One of the Following*

GEOL 418: Geochemistry
GEOL 501: Pleistocene Geology
GEOL 502: Computer Modeling in Geology
GEOL 511: Soils
GEOL 517: Igneous & Metamorphic Petrology
GEOL 520: Nuclear geology
GEOL 530: Hydrogeology
GEOL 540: Geotectonics

* With the consent of the department, advanced courses in related disciplines may be substituted for required Geology courses.

Required Courses in Related Disciplines:

8 credit units must be selected from the following list.

MATH 104: (formerly 150): Calculus, Part I
MATH 114: (formerly 151): Calculus, Part II. (For the Physical Sciences)
CHEM 101: General Chemistry I & CHEM 053: General Chemistry Laboratory I
CHEM 102: General Chemistry II & CHEM 054: General Chemistry Laboratory II

PHYS 150: Principles of Physics I: Mechanics and Wave Motion. & PHYS 050: Principles of Physics Laboratory I**.OR PHYS 170: Honors Physics I: Mechanics and Wave Motion. & PHYS 070: Principles of Physics Honors Laboratory I.

PHYS 151: Principles of Physics II: Electromagnetism and Radiation. & PHYS 051:Principles of Physics Laboratory II**.
OR PHYS 171: Honors Physics II: Electromagnetism and Radiation. & PHYS 071: Principles of Physics Honors Laboratory II.

**Students interested in paleontology or stratigraphy may substitute BIOL 10l, 102 for Physics. See department advisor for details.

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GEOLOGY MINOR REQUIREMENTS

(Minimum 6 credits)

A Geology Minor requires taking Geology 100, followed by five more advanced courses. These may be selected from the following:

Course Options (Choose 5):

GEOL 111: Geology Laboratory
GEOL 130: Oceanography
GEOL 201: Mineralogy
GEOL 205: Palaeontology
GEOL 206: Stratigraphy
GEOL 208: Structural Geology
GEOL 317: Petrology
GEOL 390: Field Geology
GEOL 501: Pleistocene Geology
Other Courses by prior permission.

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