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Geology Major

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Geology majors explore Earth systems and the environment, from the planet's rocky surface and interior, to water in the hydrosphere, climate and the atmosphere, and the interplay between the biosphere and abiotic systems. Geology is the scientific study of  Earth materials (such as minerals, rocks, and fossils) and planet-scale processes. Geological knowledge is generated from field and laboratory observations, Earth-observing satellites, geophysical instruments, and numerical models. Geology coursework explains how past and present-day ecosystems and environments have been and continue to be shaped by plate tectonics, volcanism, mountain building, climate change, evolution, and human activity through time.

Major Requirements

The Geology major typically starts with any 100-level Introductory courses, which typically counts towards the major as one of the five (5) additional full-credit GEOL courses outlined below.

Introductory Courses:

All majors must complete the following set of requirements:

All of the Following

Electives

  • Five (5) full-credit GEOL courses
    • one can be at any level
    • at least 2 must be at the 300 level as listed below
    • at least 2 must be at the 400 level as listed below
300-level Geology Electives

At least two courses from the following:

400-level Geology Electives

At least two courses from the following:

Two Additional Courses

Capstone Experience

The two required 400-level courses provide a capstone experience for the geology major, as all such courses involve a significant project that integrates hypothesis testing, data collection and/or analysis of existing data, literature review, and a final project that synthesizes this work. A senior thesis conducted with an Earth and Environmental Geosciences faculty member as an adviser through  may count as one of the required 400–level courses and is required for all geology honors candidates. Students can initiate a senior research project of interest by speaking directly to a faculty member about ideas for a research project or by consulting with a faculty member about a project that might arise from a summer internship, a summer employment experience, or be based on research initiated in a departmental course.  may not count towards the 400–level course requirement.

GPA Requirement

A GPA of 2.00 in the major is necessary for graduation. The ten full-credit GEOL courses that carry the highest grade are used to compute this average. (Non-GEOL courses are not factored into the major GPA.) A passing grade must be received in all courses counted toward the major, including the non-GEOL courses.

Honors and High Honors

All Geology majors are encouraged to consider the advantages and challenges of undertaking honors. A GPA of 3.20 or higher in the five core courses (,Ìý,Ìý,Ìý, and ), plus the two required 400-level courses are required for a student to become eligible for honors. In addition, at least six full-credit courses in biology, chemistry, mathematics, or physics must be taken to become eligible for honors.  can be taken in place of one of these six courses.

Honors candidates must also complete a year-long senior thesis, which represents the culmination of a research project that typically begins during the summer before the senior year and continues during the fall and spring terms of the senior year. The written thesis must be completed and orally presented by the end of the spring semester. Following the defense, and with the recommendation of the thesis committee, the Earth and Environmental Geosciences faculty will vote to award honors. Awarding the distinction of honors is based primarily on the quality of the written thesis but will also include an overall assessment of the student's academic record. Students who may be eligible for honors will be notified in the spring of the junior year by their academic advise

Earth and Environmental Geosciences Department

For more information about the department, including faculty,Ìýtransfer credit, awards, etc.,Ìýplease visit the Ìý»å±ð±è²¹°ù³Ù³¾±ð²Ô³ÙÌý³¦²¹³Ù²¹±ô´Ç²µÌý±è²¹²µ±ð.