Geosciences, B.A.: Concentration in Geology with a Minor in Geography

About the Geosciences Program

The undergraduate program offers a 120-hour major in geosciences with concentrations in geology, geophysics and environmental geology. Students are required to earn at least a C in all major, minor, and adjunct courses. Successful completion of adjunct courses with a C or better is required before upper-division geoscience courses may be taken. Field work is a requirement for the B.S. degree. If this is a concern, the B.A. should be considered. However, the B.A. degree also requires field work that may be strenuous. Capacity in upper-division GEOL, GPH and GCH courses may be capped due to limited departmental resources. The residency requirement for the major is 12 hours. Details for course requirements are in each concentration.

Communication Literacy Plan. Geoscience graduates are expected to be able to communicate with their peers and with the general public in a variety of ways. In particular, they should be capable of written communication in a scientific format, oral communication, both to peers and to informed laypersons, and illustration of data and concepts through various graphical formats. Courses in the Communication Literacy Plan for the B.S. and B.A. in Geosciences are GEOL 2101 , GEOL 3401 , GEOL 3402 , GEOL 4201 , GEOL 4312 , and GPH 3310 . 

About the B.A. in Geosciences

The geology program leading to the B.A. degree provides a broad liberal arts background and basic training in the principles of geosciences. The program is designed for students with strong interests in earth processes and the history of nature’s initiation of and response to continuous change. Students interested in professional employment or graduate degrees in geology should complete the B.S. degree program, not the B.A. The B.A. program with a concentration in geology requires 20 hours of geosciences coursework and at least 14 hours of junior-senior level geosciences electives, 9 hours of which must include a laboratory. Adjunct requirements include MATH 1321 ,  MATH 1550 , or MATH 1451 ; and CHEM 1307 , CHEM 1107 , and PHYS 1403 . The minor may be in any area approved by the university.

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