Geology, Earth Science, BA
Bachelor of Arts in Geology, Earth Science (337001BA)
More on the Geology, Earth Science major
Earth Science Fundamentals
Earth scientists study earth materials, structures and processes and how they’ve changed through time. This knowledge may be applied to exploration for natural resources — including metals, petroleum and water; understanding natural hazards such as earthquakes, volcanoes and landslides; addressing problems associated with environmental contamination; and investigating Earth’s history to understand the evolution of life and global climate change. Earth scientists are employed by natural resource companies, environmental consulting firms, government agencies, nonprofit organizations and universities.
Core courses provide the fundamentals in:
- physical and historical geology
- mineralogy and petrography
- structural geology and plate tectonics
- sedimentology, paleontology and stratigraphy
Degree program can be tailored to a major field of interest by taking additional courses in the supporting sciences and mathematics.
Requirements for Admission
Admission to the College of Arts and Sciences. The student must maintain a minimum 2.00 grade point average.
The following information has official approval of The Department of Geosciences and The Buchtel College of Arts & Sciences, but is intended only as a supplemental guide. Official degree requirements are established at the time of transfer and admission to the degree-granting college. Students should refer to the Degree Progress Report (Stellic) which is definitive for graduation requirements. Completion of this degree within the identified time frame below is contingent upon many factors, including but not limited to: class availability, total number of required credits, work schedule, finances, family, course drops/withdrawals, successfully passing courses, prerequisites, among others. The transfer process is completed through an appointment with your academic advisor.
Three year accelerated option: for first time students who have earned credits for at least the first year of courses. Credits can be earned through qualifying scores on appropriate Advanced Placement (AP) exams or through College Credit Plus Program (CCP) courses. Credits for qualifying AP scores or CCP courses are determined by the appropriate academic department. Departments may assign varied course credit, depending on the student’s score on an AP exam or grade in a CCP course. Students may also receive credit by examination or via placement tests, where appropriate.
Requirements
Summary
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements | 36 | |
| College of Arts & Sciences Requirements | 14 | |
| Core Geology-Earth Science Requirements | 26 | |
| Geology-Earth Science Elective | 10 | |
| Geology-Earth Science Upper Level Electives | 8 | |
| Geology-Earth Science Non-Geology Requirements I | 8 | |
| Geology-Earth Science Non-Geology Requirements II | 7 | |
| Additional Credits for Graduation * | 11 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- *
Bachelor's degrees require a minimum of 120 credit hours for graduation.
Recommended General Education Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree must complete the following General Education coursework. Diversity courses may also fulfill major or Breadth of Knowledge requirements. Integrated and Applied Learning courses may also fulfill requirements in the major. | ||
| Students are not required to enroll in the specific courses listed below. However, to facilitate successful degree completion, the academic department strongly encourages completion of the following recommendations. | ||
| Academic Foundations | 12 | |
Mathematics, Statistics and Logic: 3 credit hours | ||
| Precalculus Mathematics | ||
| Analytic Geometry-Calculus I | ||
| Analytic Geometry-Calculus II | ||
Speaking: 3 credit hours | ||
Writing: 6 credit hours | ||
| Breadth of Knowledge | 22 | |
Arts/Humanities: 9 credit hours | ||
Natural Sciences: 7 credit hours | ||
| Introductory Physical Geology | ||
| Introductory Historical Geology | ||
| Principles of Chemistry I | ||
| Principles of Chemistry I Laboratory | ||
| Principles of Chemistry II | ||
| College Physics I | ||
| College Physics II | ||
| Elementary Classical Physics I | ||
| Elementary Classical Physics II | ||
| Principles of Biology I | ||
| Principles of Biology II | ||
Social Sciences: 6 credit hours | ||
| Diversity | ||
Domestic Diversity | ||
Global Diversity | ||
| Integrated and Applied Learning | 2 | |
Select one class from one of the following subcategories: | ||
Complex Issues Facing Society | ||
Capstone | ||
Review the General Education Requirements page for detailed course listings. | ||
| Total Hours | 36 | |
College of Arts & Sciences Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Degree requirements in Arts & Sciences include the demonstration of ability to use another language by completion of the second year of a foreign language. | ||
| 2 Year Language Proficiency | 14 | |
101 Beginning I | ||
102 Beginning II | ||
201 Intermediate I | ||
202 Intermediate II | ||
| Survey of Deaf Culture in America (American Sign Language option only) | ||
| Students must also complete a minimum of 40 credits (excluding workshops) consisting of either: | ||
Upper-level (300/400) courses both in and outside of the student’s major; | ||
or other courses outside the major department approved by the student’s major department chair (permission should be obtained prior to enrollment); these may not include workshops | ||
Core Geology-Earth Science Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| GEOL 101 | Introductory Physical Geology | 4 |
| GEOL 102 | Introductory Historical Geology | 4 |
| GEOL 231 | Silicate Mineralogy and Petrology | 4 |
| GEOL 350 | Structural Geology | 4 |
| GEOL 360 | Paleobiology | 4 |
| GEOL 453 | Geology Field Camp I | 3 |
| GEOL 454 | Geology Field Camp II | 3 |
| Total Hours | 26 | |
Geology-Earth Science Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Students must select a minimum of ten (10) credits from geology courses not required for this degree | 10 | |
| GEOL:1xx/2xx/3xx/4xx | ||
| Total Hours | 10 | |
Geology-Earth Science Upper Level Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Students must select a minimum of eight (8) credits from the upper level courses listed below | 8 | |
| GEOL:3xx/4xx 6 | ||
| GEOG 314 | Climatology | |
| GEOG 405 | Geographic Information Systems 6 | |
| GEOG 407 | Advanced Geographic Information Systems | |
| GEOG 440 | Cartography | |
| GEOG 445 | GIS Database Design | |
| GEOG 446 | GIS Programming and Customization | |
| GEOG 447 | Remote Sensing | |
| GEOG 449 | Advanced Remote Sensing | |
| GEOG 495 | Soil & Water Field Studies | |
| Total Hours | 8 | |
Geology-Earth Science Non-Geology Requirements I
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 149 | Precalculus Mathematics | 4 |
| CHEM 151 | Principles of Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 152 | Principles of Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 |
| Total Hours | 8 | |
Geology-Earth Science Non-Geology Requirements II
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Students must a take a minimum of seven (7) credits from the list of courses below. | 7 | |
| BIOL 111 | Principles of Biology I | |
| BIOL 112 | Principles of Biology II | |
| CHEM 153 | Principles of Chemistry II | |
| CHEM 154 | Qualitative Analysis | |
| MATH 221 | Analytic Geometry-Calculus I | |
| MATH 222 | Analytic Geometry-Calculus II | |
| PHYS 261 | College Physics I | |
| PHYS 262 | College Physics II | |
| PHYS 291 | Elementary Classical Physics I | |
| PHYS 292 | Elementary Classical Physics II | |
| Total Hours | 7 | |
- 1
Requirement is fulfilled by taking MATH 149 Precalculus Mathematics or MATH 221 Analytic Geometry-Calculus I
- 2
Check General Education course listings for courses that satisfy both this requirement and either Domestic or Global Diversity requirement.
- 3
Requirement is fulfilled by taking GEOL 101 Physical Geology and CHEM 151 Principles of Chemistry I, which are required for this degree.
- 4
Upper Level Geology elective courses GEOL 421 Coastal Geology and GEOL 443 Rivers satisfy this requirement in addition to counting towards the Geology Upper Level Electives requirement.
- 5
American Sign Language option only
- 6
Students may select any upper level geology course which is not required for this degree to satisfy this requirement. We also highly recommend taking GEOG 405 Geographic Information Systems as an upper level elective.
The following information has official approval of The Department of Geosciences and The Buchtel College of Arts & Sciences, but is intended only as a supplemental guide. Official degree requirements are established at the time of transfer and admission to the degree-granting college. Students should refer to the Degree Progress Report (DPR) which is definitive for graduation requirements. Completion of this degree within the identified time frame below is contingent upon many factors, including but not limited to: class availability, total number of required credits, work schedule, finances, family, course drops/withdrawals, successfully passing courses, prerequisites, among others. The transfer process is completed through an appointment with your academic advisor.Students are encouraged to visit The Department of Geosciences their freshman year to obtain preliminary information regarding the program requirements and to learn more about on-campus opportunities available to students.
Students are encouraged to visit The Department of Geosciences their freshman year to obtain preliminary information regarding the program requirements and to learn more about on-campus opportunities available to students.
Three year accelerated option: for first time students who have earned credits for at least the first year of courses. Credits can be earned through qualifying scores on appropriate Advanced Placement (AP) exams or through College Credit Plus Program (CCP) courses. Credits for qualifying AP scores or CCP courses are determined by the appropriate academic department. Departments may assign varied course credit, depending on the student’s score on an AP exam or grade in a CCP course. Students may also receive credit by examination or via placement tests, where appropriate.
| 1st Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| GEOL 101 | Introductory Physical Geology 1 | 4 |
| MATH 149 | Precalculus Mathematics | 4 |
| Writing Requirement 2 | 3 | |
| 101 Beginning Language I 3 | 4 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| GEOL 102 | Introductory Historical Geology | 4 |
| CHEM 151 | Principles of Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 152 | Principles of Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 |
| Writing Requirement 2 | 3 | |
| 102 Beginning Language II 3 | 4 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| 2nd Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| GEOL 230 | Mineral Science | 4 |
| GEOL 3/4xx | Upper level Geology electives | 3 |
| Speaking Requirement | 3 | |
| 201 Intermediate Language I 3 | 3 | |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| GEOL 231 | Silicate Mineralogy and Petrology | 4 |
| GEOL 3/4xx | Upper level Geology electives | 3 |
| Social Science Requirement 4 | 3 | |
| 202 Intermediate Language II 3 | 3 | |
| Hours | 13 | |
| 3rd Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| GEOL 350 | Structural Geology | 4 |
| GEOL 3/4xx | Upper level Geology electives 5 | 3 |
| Arts Requirement 4 | 3 | |
| Geology-Earth Science Non-Geology Requirements II 6 | 4 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| GEOL 360 | Paleobiology | 4 |
| GEOL 324 | Sedimentation & Stratigraphy | 4 |
| Social Science Requirement 4 | 3 | |
| Geology-Earth Science Non-Geology Requirements II 6 | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Summer Semester | ||
| GEOL 453 | Geology Field Camp I | 3 |
| GEOL 454 | Geology Field Camp II | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| 4th Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| GEOL 3/4xx | Upper level Geology electives 5 | 6 |
| Arts/Humanities Requirement 4 | 3 | |
| Global Diversity Requirement | 3 | |
| Complex Issues Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Upper Level Electives 7 | 9 | |
| Domestic Diversity Requirement | 3 | |
| Humanities Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- 1
GEOL 101 Introductory Physical Geology Strongly Preferred, OR GEOL 100 Earth Science, OR GEOL 200 Environmental Geology, OR (by permission only) GEOL 211 Introduction to Environmental Science, AND GEOL 104 Exercises in Physical Geology.
- 2
For English Composition I, ENGL 111 English Composition I or ENGL 113 African American Language and Culture I: College Composition are the recommended classes to the meet the General Education English requirement. For English Composition II, ENGL 112 English Composition II or ENGL 114 African American Language and Culture II: College Composition are the recommended classes to the meet the General Education English requirement. ENGL 222 Technical Report Writing fulfills the English Composition II requirement.
- 3
Demonstration of ability to use another language by completion of the second year of a foreign language or sign language is required. See your advisor for placement. Please note that all four semesters must be completed in the same language and it’s recommended you begin your first language class as soon as possible.
- 4
We strongly recommend selecting Humanities and/or Social Science courses that fulfill both a Breadth of Knowledge requirement and Domestic or Global Diversity requirement. Please consult the General Education requirements to see which courses fulfill both requirements.
- 5
A total of 18 departmental (GEOL) credits are required, eight of which must be at the 300/400 level. Please contact a Department of Geosciences adviser to discuss alternatives.
- 6
B.A. degree requires completion of at least 7 credits from the following and these options can satisfy the upper level requirement for Arts & Sciences as well (300/400 level): BIOL 111 Principles of Biology I, BIOL 112 Principles of Biology II, CHEM 153 Principles of Chemistry II, PHYS 261 College Physics I, PHYS 262 College Physics II, PHYS 291 Elementary Classical Physics I, PHYS 292 Elementary Classical Physics II, MATH 221 Analytic Geometry-Calculus I, MATH 222 Analytic Geometry-Calculus II.
- 7
Buchtel College of Arts & Sciences (BCAS) – requires 40 credits at the 300/400 level. We strongly suggest taking all upper level (300/400) Geology elective courses to fulfill the Geology-Earth Science Elective and Geology-Earth Science Upper Level Elective requirements because this plan of study will satisfy the BCAS requirement automatically.
Taking 10 lower level (100/200) and 8 upper level (300/400) Geology elective courses to fulfill the Geology-Earth Science Elective and Geology-Earth Science Upper Level Elective requirements will not satisfy this BCAS requirement. Please contact a Geoscience or BCAS advisor to determine how many additional 300/400 courses are necessary to complete this BCAS requirement.
Alert
- By the end of your first 48 credit hours attempted, you must have completed your General Education English, Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic, and Communications (Speech) requirements
- By the end of your first 48 credit hours attempted, you must have declared a major and transferred to (been accepted by) a degree granting college at The University of Akron.