Academic Offerings

The Department of Geology offers a Bachelor of Science in Geology with concentrations in General Geology, Engineering and Environmental Geoscience, and Earth Sciences. A Bachelor of Arts in Geology is also available.

Students may also pursue a minor in Geology. The Geology major provides students with a basic framework for a professional career in the field of geology, for graduate studies in geology, or for licensure to teach earth and space science. Classes are small, allowing for individualized instruction, and each student is advised by a faculty member in the department.

Bachelor of Arts in Geology - NEW

The Bachelor of Arts is designed for students who seek a broad, traditional overview of geology as an academic discipline with a liberal arts compnent. Students are encouraged to use electives to gain competency in particular topics. This degree requires eight hours of foreign language courses.

Total Credits Needed for Degree - 120 semester hours
(Includes Core Curriculum courses, required courses, and electives.)

General Geology Concentration

The General Geology Concentration is designed for students who wish a broad, traditional overview of geology as an academic discipline. Students are encouraged to use electives to gain competency in particular topics. The concentration is appropriate for students interested in pursuing graduate studies in geology. A total of 120 semester hours are required for this degree (including Core Currciulum, required courses and electives).

Engineering and Environmental Geoscience Concentration

The Environmental and EngineeringGeology concentration is designed for students wishing to emphasize the engineering and hydrological aspects of geology as they pertain to addressing practical problems in society. A total of 120 semester hours are required for this degree (including Core Currciulum, required courses and electives).

Earth Sciences Concentration (Teaching Licensure)

The Department of Geology offers courses which will qualify prospective teachers for licensure to teach earth and space science. The appropriate courses in education must be taken. (Contact the College of Education and Human Development for information concerning these courses.) A total of 36 semester hours of education courses are required; a total of 127 semester hours are required to graduate (includes Core Curriculum, required courses and electives).

Graduation Requirements

To graduate with a major in geology, a student must attain an overall grade point average of 2.0 or higher in all courses in geology, and in the required courses in chemistry, physics, and mathematics.

Geology Minor

A student who wishes to elect a minor in geology is required to take 20 credit hours, including GEOL 100, 105, and 106, plus a minimum of eight additional semester hours from geology courses other than GEOL 498.