Environmental and Applied Geology, Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
Geology is the study of Earth; we study the processes, behavior and materials of Earth, its water and its atmosphere both in recent times and in the geologic past. Through understanding how Earth formed, how it changed over billions of years, and how it continues to function today, we can look forward in time to predict how natural processes and human actions will interact to impact Earth in the future. Knowledge of geological concepts and processes helps scientists, politicians, and business professionals make decisions about the use of Earth’s natural resources, protection of humans against natural disasters, and wise stewardship of our environment.
For students wishing to enter the professional world immediately upon graduation, the Professional Concentration prepares our students to become competent professionals with the requisite knowledge and skills necessary to successfully pass the initial certification exam to eventually obtain their Professional Geologist designation. Students will have the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills in each of the eight areas of professional geology and geotechniques, as well as develop critical research skills through a senior thesis or field camp experience.
Students in the Academic Concentration will gain the foundational knowledge and skills in geology, mathematics and natural sciences necessary to be successful in graduate school, as well as to explore potential areas of geologic specialization through independent research or a field camp experience and elective courses.
Program Requirements
CIP Code: 40.0601
Major
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| University Graduation Requirements | ||
| General Education | 36 | |
| Foundations of Learning | ||
| GSD 101 | Foundations of Learning | 3 |
| Upper division courses (42 hrs. distributed throughout Major/Supporting/Gen Ed/Free Electives categories) | ||
| Major Requirements | ||
| Core Courses | ||
| GEO 353 | Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| GEO 453 | Advanced GIS | 3 |
| GEO 455 | GIS Cartography | 3 |
| GEO 456 | Remote Sensing | 3 |
| GEO 302 | Global Environmental Problems | 3 |
| GLY 309 | Mineralogy | 4 |
| GLY 409 | Igneous & Metamorphic Petrology | 4 |
| GLY 410 | Structural Geology | 4 |
| GLY 415 | Sedimentary Geology | 4 |
| GLY 420 | Stratigraphy | 4 |
| GLY 535 | Hydrogeology | 3 |
| Choose from 6 hours of the following: | 6 | |
| The Ocean World | ||
| Earthquakes and Volcanoes | ||
| Environmental Geography | ||
| Great Moments in Earth History | ||
| Introduction to Physical Geography | ||
| Choose from 9 hours of the following: | 9 | |
| Urban Geography | ||
| Environment Land Use Planning | ||
| Geoscience Data and Techniques | ||
| Advanced Geographic Imagery | ||
| Advanced Geography:___ | ||
| Introduction to Geochemistry | ||
| Environmental Geoscience | ||
| Hydrology | ||
| Field Methods | ||
| Process Geomorphology | ||
| Field Camp | ||
| Aqueous Geochemistry | ||
| Petroleum Geology | ||
| Capstone Project in Geology | ||
| Senior Thesis | ||
| Selected Topics:___ | ||
| Computer Aided Drafting | ||
| Plane Surveying | ||
| Disaster Resilience | ||
| Disaster Planning and Exercises | ||
| Introduction to Statistical Reasoning | ||
| Supporting Course Requirements | 1-3 | |
| General Chemistry and General Chemistry Lab I (Element 4) G | ||
| Precalculus Mathematics (or higher)(Element2) G | ||
| Choose from one of the following: | ||
| Conceptual Physics (Element 4) G | ||
| College Physics I (Element 4) G | ||
| University Physics I (Element 4) G | ||
| Free Electives | 25-27 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |