2005-07 Catalog
Geology Requirements

Geology Major (14 courses): The geology major consists of 14 courses which include two electives. The major is based on a foundation of courses in the traditional natural sciences. All students must take courses in chemistry, physics, and mathematics. The required courses in geology provide an overview of the basic fields of study in geology such as mineralogy, petrology, structural geology, hydrogeology, and surficial processes. All geology courses include a laboratory component. In addition, all geology majors are required to attend a summer geology field camp (typically 6 to 8 weeks long), usually taken between the junior and senior years of undergraduate study. The performance of all geology majors at field camp and those majors who complete a senior thesis is used to assess the overall success of the discipline and its graduates.

1. Required courses in Geology: GEOL 105 or 107 or 120, GEOL 225, GEOL 300, GEOL 320, GEOL 322, GEOL 325, and GEOL 450.
2. Required courses in Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics: CHEM 105 and CHEM 107, PHYS 111 and PHYS 112 OR PHYS 121 and PHYS 122, MATH 131.
3. Required electives (two courses from the following list; only one course may be at the 100 level): GEOL 120, GEOL 240, GEOL 250, GEOL 307, GEOL 330, GEOL 350, GEOL 354, GEOL 428, GEOL 492, GEOL 496, BIOL 450 (Paleobiology).

Senior Thesis (GEOL 496) and a second semester of calculus and analytic geometry (MATH 132) are strongly recommended for those students who plan to attend graduate school.

Geology Academic Minor (6 courses): Students may receive an academic minor in geology by successfully completing six courses approved by the geology discipline. Only one course at the 100 level may count toward the minor.

Geology · Geology Course Descriptions

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