Geological Sciences and Environmental Studies
Earth sciences embody a wide range of approaches to studying the world around and below us. Sub-disciplines represented in the Department of Geological Sciences and Environmental Studies include various branches of geology, geochemistry, geophysics and environmental studies. Majors in the department begin with one of several introductory courses, followed by a set of four departmental core courses. Cognate requirements and the remaining departmental course requirements depend on whether a BA or BS degree is the goal, and on the track selected for the BS degree. The department requires a grade of C- or better in geology courses counted toward the major. No courses for the major may be taken Pass/Fail.
BA Degree in Geological Sciences
The BA degree in geological sciences serves as a liberal arts degree with emphasis on the natural sciences and, with appropriate planning, as a preparatory degree for graduate study and professional employment. The BA degree requires 15 courses, of which at least eight must be in geology; at least three courses must be from the cognate sciences of biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics, and four courses must be used to fulfill an area of specialization. An important aspect of the program is the flexibility of the four-course specialization, which should be carefully planned with the assistance of a faculty adviser. Final approval of the courses selected for the four-course specialization should be secured from the undergraduate committee no later than the student’s sixth semester. These four courses must establish a program with a sound rationale, either in the geological sciences or in related fields.
The BA degree requires 15 courses that include the following:
• one four-credit 100-level geology course;
• GEOL 211;
• GEOL 212;
• GEOL 213;
• GEOL 214;
• three geology courses at the 300 level or higher;
• CHEM 107 or 111;
• two courses from BIOL 117, 118, 370, 371 and 373; CHEM 108, 221, 231, 332, 341 and 351; MATH 147, 221, 222, 304 and 323; and PHYS 121, 122, 131, 132 and 227;
• four courses in an area of specialization, which must be approved by the department adviser no later than the student’s sixth semester.
Note: The cognate science courses and four-course specialization must include at least three upper-level (300 or higher) courses.
BS Degree in Geological Sciences
The BS degree is intended primarily as training for graduate school and professional employment, with research, teaching and industry careers as the ultimate goals. The BS degree requires 17 courses in the geology and environmental geology tracks and 18 courses in the geophysics track, including a common sequence of 12 courses.
The BS degree requirements include the following:
Cognate Requirements
• MATH 221 and 222;
• PHYS 131 and 132 (PHYS 121/122 may be substituted for 131/132);
• CHEM 107 and 108
or CHEM 111.
Departmental Requirements
• one four-credit 100-level geology course;
• GEOL 211;
• GEOL 212;
• GEOL 213;
• GEOL 214;
• GEOL 401 or equivalent (summer Field Experience);
• additional courses, selected from one of the following tracks:
Environmental Geology Track
GEOL 342 or 370; GEOL 416; GEOL 470; and two courses selected from GEOL 465, 472, 475, 342 or 370 (if not already taken), 336, 410, 411, 413, 453 or 518.
Geophysics Track
MATH 323; PHYS 331, 332 and 341; GEOL 451; and one course selected from GEOL 450, 449, 453 (if not counted as field experience), 344 or 416. In addition, GEOL 371 or 453 may be substituted for GEOL 401, Field Experience.
Students should take a Field Experience course (GEOL 401 or equivalent) in the summer following their junior year. They are encouraged to choose a course in the branch of the Earth sciences that most directly relates to their major track or career interests. The course must cover basic field techniques and skills, followed by field experience with traditional geological, hydrogeological, geophysical or other approved applications.
In addition, students are encouraged to gain experience with computer languages or programming, word processing and spreadsheets.
Distinguished Independent Work in the Geological Sciences
The award of distinguished independent work in the geological sciences is granted by the department to those majors who have distinguished themselves in academic endeavor beyond the normal requirements for the bachelor’s degree. The requirements for this award include above-average performance in coursework as well as successful completion of an independent research paper under the supervision of a faculty member. Majors are invited to consult with their department advisers about this award before the beginning of their senior year.
Geology Minor
The minor in geology is for students who have a general interest in the Earth sciences. Twenty-four credits are required, from courses offered by the department. No more than eight credits may be 100-level courses. The department recommends that at least eight credits be selected from the geology “core courses”: GEOL 211, 212, 213 and 214.
Geophysics Minor
This program is primarily for students with some technical background who wish to gain a fundamental understanding of “pure” geophysics. The 24 credits required include one four-credit 100-level geology course; PHYS 331, 341; and GEOL 449, 450 and 451.
Geochemistry Minor
The minor in geochemistry is for geology majors with a strong interest in geochemistry and for chemistry majors with an interest in Earth science. Emphasis is on the application of chemical principles to geologic processes.
The 24 required credits are:
• any four-credit 100-level GEOL course and GEOL 470;
• eight credits from among the following CHEM courses: 221, 351 (one of 221 or 351 is strongly recommended), 231, 332, 341, 422, 452, 482 or 484;
• eight credits from among the following GEOL courses: 212, 323, 370, 416, 428, 465 or 478.