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Undergraduate Catalog 2006-2007 
Geoscience
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN GEOLOGY
I. Introduction

The mission of the Geoscience Program is to provide integrated and process-oriented curricula, based on fundamental scientific principles and processes, which enable graduates to pursue challenging careers and maintain lifelong learning. The Geoscience Program is designed to serve geoscience majors from geology, geographic information science, and environmental science as well as science students in other fields who are interested in adding to their knowledge of the earth and planetary system. Support is also provided for students preparing to earn certification for teaching at the K-12 level, and interested non-science majors. The geoscience faculty provide majors with a broad overview of geology and planetary processes while offering the opportunity to pursue specialized knowledge in selected areas of geoscience in preparation for graduate study and careers in government, industry, or academia.

Students can earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology by following the degree plan for geology majors as described below. Students can alternatively earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science (Environmental Geology concentration). If so interested, they should consult the Environmental Science section of this catalog. Also, those students considering certification for 4-8 level science teaching should consult Science, Mathematics and Technology Education.

II. Geology Major
The minimum requirement for a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geology is a total of 126 hours, divided among the following areas:
    Sem. Hrs.
A. University Core and First-Year Seminars 50
B. Supporting Courses 11
C. Geology Core 58
D. Electives 10
 

Total

129
     
A. University Core and First-Year Seminars Sem. Hrs.
  See catalog section on University Core. 48
     
  Please consult the faculty advisor for specific details.  
  Full-time first-year students must take UCCP 1101 and 1102. 2
     
B. Supporting Courses Sem. Hrs.
  Supporting courses may not be taken on a pass/no pass (P/NP) basis.  
  CHEM 1311/1111 & 1312/1112 General Chemistry I, II 8
  PHYS 1401/1402 General Physics I, II or
PHYS 2425/2426 University Physics I, II (included in University Core)

(8)
  MATH 2413 Calculus I (included in University Core) (4)
  MATH 2342 Statistics for Physical & Life Sciences 3
 

Total

11
     
C. Geology Core Sem. Hrs.
 
GEOL 1403 Physical Geology

4
  GEOL 1404 Historical Geology 4
  GEOL 3326 Introduction to Geological Field Methods 3
  GEOL 3411 Mineralogy 4
  GEOL 3421 Structural Geology 4
  GEOL 3441 Invertebrate Paleontology 4
  GEOL 3442 Geomorphology 4
  GEOL 3443 Environmental Geology 4
  GEOL 4411 Sedimentation and Stratigraphy 3
  GEOL 4316 Marine Geoscience 3
  GEOL 4322 Geophysics 3
  GEOL 4414 Petrology 4
  GEOL 4444 Hydrogeology 4
  Approved Field Geology Course 6
 

Total

52
     
D. Electives  
  Additional electives selected in consultation with a student’s academic advisor. Electives may be from Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Science, Geographic Information Science, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, or other appropriate areas.  
 

Total

13
     
E. Optional Minor in Another Subject
Geology majors may choose to complete a minor in an approved subject. Course requirements for the minor involve at least 18 semester hours, and the content is specified by faculty in the minor field. Minors in biology, chemistry, computer science, environmental science, geographic information science, and mathematics are generally appropriate for geology majors. Minors in other disciplines or combination minors may be arranged in consultation with the academic advisor.
     
III. Minor in Geology
Students majoring in other academic fields who wish to earn a minor in geology must complete the following requirements:
    Sem. Hrs.
  GEOL 1403 Physical Geology 4
  GEOL 1404 Historical Geology 4
  GEOL 3411 Mineralogy 4
  GEOL 3443 Environmental Geology 4
  GEOL 4421 Structural Geology 4
 

Total

20
 

Other approved geology electives may be substituted for any of the above courses.

UNDERGRADUATE COURSES

 

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