Geology, B.S.

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(120 UNITS)

The Bachelor of Science in Geology prepares students for a career as a professional geologist or for further education in graduate school. The program provides a well-rounded geology curriculum and set of related science and math requirements. The curriculum promotes hands-on learning and independent geological research that includes critical thinking, data analysis and interpretation, applying scientific method and understanding the role of geology in everyday life. It is rich in field and lab studies and includes two major capstone experiences: a required immersive study-away geology field course, where students evaluate geology in real-life field conditions; and a required undergraduate thesis, where students work one-on-one with a faculty adviser to conduct original research. The degree prepares graduates to enter the geology work force in fields, such as geotechnical engineering, hydrogeology, environmental geology, hydrocarbon geology/exploration or other geology-related fields

In addition to the requirements for the major, students must meet all other university requirements for a bachelor’s degree. Please consult the Graduation Requirements for the Bachelor’s Degree section in this catalog for complete information. Students must earn a “C” (2.0) or better in all geological sciences courses applied towards the degree; in addition, students must have a 2.0 average in required courses in related fields. Proficiency in English composition is required.

Required Courses (39 units)

Note

* Students are encouraged to begin research during their junior year or earlier. GEOL 498 satisfies the university’s upper-division writing requirement.

Upper-Division Geological Sciences Electives (8-9 units)

Select in consultation with an undergraduate and/or thesis adviser. No more than 3 units from any combination of GEOL 493 , GEOL 495 , GEOL 496L and GEOL 499L can be counted toward the requirement.

Note: GEOL 310T is not accepted as credit toward meeting requirements for the B.S. in Geology major.

Related Fields (30 units minimum)

At least one of the tracks below must include a second-semester lab course. If the selected courses total less than 30 units, chose additional units from other science-math-engineering departments (see list below). Courses not included on the list must be approved in writing by an undergraduate adviser.

Additional Course (3-4 units)

Select with approval of adviser from courses such as the following:

Additional Information

Science- or engineering-based transferable extension certificate courses from other universities

Undesignated Units (0-3 units)

These are to be taken in geological sciences, related fields and/or career-supporting fields, with adviser approval.