Information for First Year Students

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Geology Major Requirements

Welcome to the Geology major! Here’s a quick guide to help you understand the requirements and opportunities available.
What You Need to Graduate with a Geology Major
To earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology, you’ll complete a set of core courses 4-Year Planning Document. Choose a track that aligns with your interests:

Geology Track

  1. Introductory Course:
  2. GEOL 104: Historical Geology
  3. GEOL 203: Mineralogy with Lab
  4. GEOL 206: Paleontology
  5. GEOL 211: Geomorphology
  6. GEOL 302: Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
  7. GEOL 216: Sedimentology with Lab (or GEOL 316: Carbonate Sedimentology with fieldtrip)
  8. GEOL 350: Structural Geology
  9. One elective at the 200+ level

Environmental Geology Track

  1. Introductory Course:
  2. GEOL 115: Oceanography
  3. GEOL 203: Mineralogy with Lab
  4. GEOL 211: Geomorphology with Lab
  5. GEOL 340: Conservation Paleobiology
  6. GEOL 319: Hydrology and Hydrogeology
  7. GEOL 216: Sedimentology with Lab (or GEOL 316: Carbonate Sedimentology with fieldtrip)
  8. GEOL 350: Structural Geology
  9. One elective at the 200+ level (GEOL/ANTH/ENVS/BIOL)

Required Cognates (3.5 Units)
To support your geology studies, you’ll take at least one semester of:

  • CHEM 103: General Chemistry
  • MATH 135: Calculus
  • PHYS 151: University Physics or BIO 101: General Biology

We strongly recommend completing a two-semester sequence in these subjects to enhance your career and graduate school prospects.

Suggested Courses for Graduate Study
Students planning to pursue graduate studies or professional geology careers should consider additional coursework and experiences:

  • Senior Honors Thesis (GEOL 489/490), Senior Project, or other research projects with faculty.
  • Statistics (STAT 113)
  • Geographic Information Systems (GIS) courses
  • Participation in summer field camps (off-campus programs)

Policies to Remember

  • Core courses cannot be taken pass/fail.
  • Only one Major Credit Restricted (MCR) course may count as an elective.
  • You may not take more than 14 units in a single department.

Minor in Geology
If you’d like to explore geology without committing to the full major, the minor offers a focused introduction to Earth sciences. The requirements include:

  1. GEOL 103: The Dynamic Earth or GEOL 110: Environmental Geology with Lab
  2. GEOL 104: Historical Geology
  3. Four electives at the 200 or 300 level

Senior Thesis and Honors
Students passionate about original research can pursue a senior thesis under the guidance of geology faculty. To graduate with honors:

  • Maintain a 3.5 GPA in all major courses.
  • Complete a senior thesis (GEOL 489/490) with faculty approval.

Thesis work should result in a written product and may count as a capstone experience. Guidelines are available from the department chair.

Join the Community
We’re thrilled to welcome you to the Geology program. Whether interested in fieldwork, research, or just exploring the Earth’s processes, this major offers exciting opportunities to learn and grow. Reach out to your advisor for guidance and start planning your academic adventure!