Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts program in Geology have excellent opportunities for employment in a wide variety of careers where an understanding of natural science is useful or critical in success. Geology can be a strong background for advanced study or career development in areas such as business, city management, regional development, planning, law, journalism, and science writing. The B.A. requirements include courses concerning minerals, rocks, fossils and field mapping, among others. These courses are supplemented by courses such as introductory chemistry, biology, and mathematics. Download the Roadmap to the B.A. in Geology for the official reference to the degree program.

For additional information about our undergraduate program, please contact our undergraduate advisors, Dr. Carrie E. Schweitzer,  Dr. Alison J. Smith, Dr. David M. Singer and Dr. Neil A. Wells.

General Requirements

• At least 42 semester credits must be taken in upper division courses (30000-level and above). 
• At least 36 semester credits must be taken in Liberal Education Requirements courses, and these should be completed during the first 64 credits of enrollment. 
• At least 121 semester credits of approved coursework must be completed successfully.
• GEOL 21062 Environmental Geology or GEOL 21080 Oceanography may be substituted for GEOL 11040 Earth Dynamics with Departmental permission.
• Does not requires completion of GEOL 41092, Summer Field Camp, although students are encouraged to attend.
• A 2.00 cumulative grade-point average both overall and in the major, is necessary to graduate.

Required Courses

Course Number
Course Title
Credits
GEOL 11040
Earth Dynamics
3
GEOL 11041  Earth Dynamics Lab
1
GEOL 11042
Earth History
3
GEOL 11043  Earth History Lab
1
GEOL 23063
Earth Materials I
4
GEOL 31070 Earth Materials II 4
GEOL 34061  Invertebrate Paleontology
4
and  15 GEOL elective credits
15

MATH 11010
Algebra for Calculus
3
MATH 11022
Trigonometry
2
CHEM 10060
General Chemistry I
4
CHEM 10062
General Chemistry Lab
1
BSCI 10110 or
BSCI 20560
Biological Diversity (4) or
Invertebrate Zoology (4)
4

Total 49