Geological Sciences

May be elected as a departmental concentration program

Students have two options in the Geological Sciences concentration: General Geology and Professional Geology

General Geology

This program is designed to provide a broad background in the fundamentals of Earth Science for students who intend to have careers in business, law, medicine, government or other areas.

Prerequisites to Concentration. The prerequisites include: College algebra and trigonometry; a laboratory course in introductory chemistry; and an introductory course with laboratory in geological sciences (G.S. 116, 117, 120, 205+206+207, or 119+118). These should be completed as soon as possible.

Concentration Program. The concentration requires a minimum of 30 credits, including: (1) GS 231; (2) GS 305, 310, or 351; (3) at least 6 credits of approved science cognate courses; (4) 16 additional credits in Geological Science, of which at least 8 are in 300/400-level courses and no more than 3 are in half-term mini courses. Students interested in a professional career in Geological Science should follow the Professional Concentration Program.

Students interested in combining a background in geological sciences with preparation for professional school (e.g., business administration, law school, medical school) should consult an appropriate source for information about requirements for admission to those schools.

Professional Geology

This program of study leads to a Bachelor of Science degree. It is designed to prepare students for graduate study in the geological sciences and for later professional work.

Prerequisites to Concentration. There are five prerequisites, which should be completed as soon as possible:

1. One introductory geological sciences course with laboratory (G.S. 116, 117, 120) or an introductory geoscience course without laboratory (GS 119, 284, or 205+206) combined with a laboratory course (GS 118 or 207).
2. One year of introductory chemistry with laboratory, ordinarily two of three from Chemistry 125/130, 210/211, and 230.
3. One year of introductory physics with laboratory, preferably Physics 140/141 and 240/241. Concentrators specializing in paleontology may substitute Biology 162 for one term of physics with laboratory (ordinarily Physics 140/141).
4. Two courses in college mathematics, ordinarily Math. 115 and 116.
5. Elements of Mineralogy (G.S. 231).

Concentration Program. The concentration program requirements are:

1. Core Courses: G.S. 305, 310, 351, 440.
2. Geoscience Electives: Three additional geological sciences courses numbered at the 400-level. At least two of these must be elected from Group A but one may be elected from Group B.
   1. Group A: G.S. 418, 420, and 422.
   2. Group B: Any geological sciences courses numbered in the 400 level and from the list entitled "Primarily for Concentrators" except for research, seminar, and field courses. (Research, seminar, and field courses, however, are highly recommended as extra electives.)
3. In addition concentrators must elect 6 credits of advanced cognate courses. These must be above the prerequisite level, in chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics, or some combination thereof, and must be approved in advance by the Professional Geology concentration advisor. Students who are certain to specialize in paleontology may, with advance agreement of the advisor, elect an approved statistics course as advanced mathematics. Computing courses are not applicable as advanced cognates.

Honors concentration