Bachelor of Science in Geology
(120 units)
The bachelor of science degree program provides training in the geological sciences for those planning to pursue professional careers in industry or enter a graduate degree program. Students explore fundamental geological processes, cultivate skills in integrative three-dimensional geological thinking, and engage in laboratory and field experience, and pursue interests in the many subdisciplines of the geological sciences. Students interested in pursuing a career in geophysics must consult the undergraduate advisor to construct an appropriate program.
Geology majors must receive a grade of "C" or better in all courses required for the major. A minimum of 120 units is required for the Bachelor of Science degree. Transfer students should attempt to fulfill, prior to transferring, the appropriate lower division curricular requirements as outlined below. In particular students should take prior to transferring the equivalent of GEOL102 and 104, and at least three of the following four: CHEM 111A , CHEM 111B , MATH 122, and MATH 123.
GEOL 420 (Geological Writing) and GEOL 450 (Summer Field), both required courses for the major, are also capstone General Education courses, and GEOL 420 fulfills the GWAR requirement for a writing intensive course. Geology majors should take these two courses, and one other course to fulfill their upper division GE and GWAR requirements.
Lower Division:
Take all of the following:
- GEOL 102 General Geology (3)
Prerequisites/Corequisites: A course that fulfills the A.1 GE requirement and three years of high school mathematics including algebra, geometry, and intermediate algebra or the equivalent.
- GEOL 104 Geology Laboratory (1)
Prerequisites/Corequisites: A course that fulfills the A.1 GE requirement and three years of high school mathematics including algebra, geometry, and intermediate algebra or the equivalent, and concurrent or prior enrollment in GEOL 102.
- GEOL 240 Historical Geology (4)
Prerequisite: GEOL 106 or both GEOL 102, GEOL 104.
- GEOL 250 Introduction to Field Petrology and Geological Field Techniques (3)
Prerequisites: GEOL 102 with GEOL 104 or GEOL 105; or GEOL 106; all with grades of "C" or better. Corequisite: GEOL 240.
- CHEM 111A General Chemistry (5)
Prerequisites: A passing score on the Chemistry Placement Examination.
Corequisite: MATH 109 or higher.
- CHEM 111B General Chemistry (5)
Prerequisites: CHEM 111A and MATH 113 or MATH 115 or MATH 117 or MATH 119A or MATH 122 all with a grade of "C" or better.
- MATH 122 Calculus I (4)
Prerequisite: Appropriate MDPT placement or a grade of "C" or better in MATH 111 and MATH 113.
- MATH 123 Calculus II (4)
Prerequisite: A grade of "C" or better in MATH 122.
- PHYS 151 Mechanics and Heat (4)
Prerequisite/Corequisite: MATH 122.
- PHYS 152 Electricity and Magnetism (4)
Prerequisite: PHYS 151; Prerequisite/Corequisite: MATH 123.
Upper Division:
Take all of the following:
- GEOL 322 Crystallography and Mineralogy (3)
Prerequisites: GEOL 250; CHEM 101 or CHEM 111A.
- GEOL 326 Optical Mineralogy (2)
Prerequisite: GEOL 250; A passing score on the Chemistry Placement Examination or CHEM 111A;
Prerequisite/Corequisite: GEOL 322
GEOL 322 and GEOL 326 must be taken concurrently unless the undergraduate advisor approves otherwise.
- GEOL 341 Paleontology and Biostratigraphy (4)
Prerequisites: GEOL 240 and GE Life Science requirement B.1.a.
- GEOL 350 Spring Field Geology (2)
Prerequisites: GEOL 250 and GEOL 443 with grades of "C" or better. Prerequisite/Corequisite: GEOL 433.
- GEOL 420 Geological Writing (3)
Prerequisites: GE Foundation completed, upper division standing, GEOL 102, GEOL 104, GEOL 240, GEOL 250; and at least 6 units of Geology courses at 300-level or above. Students must have scored 11 or higher on the GWAR Placement Examination or completed necessary portfolio course that is a prerequisite for a GWAR Writing Intensive Capstone.
- GEOL 426 Igneous Metamorphic Petrography Laboratory (1)
Prerequisites: GEOL 322 and GEOL 326
Prerequisite/Corequisite: GEOL 428
- GEOL 428 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology and Petrography (4)
Prerequisites: GEOL 322; CHEM 111A, B.
GEOL 428 and GEOL 426 must be taken concurrently unless the undergraduate advisor approves otherwise.
- GEOL 433 Structural Geology (4)
Prerequisites: GEOL 250, GEOL 322; PHYS 151.
- GEOL 443 Stratigraphy/Sedimentology (4)
Prerequisites: GEOL 240, GEOL 322.
- GEOL 450 Summer Field Geology (4)
Prerequisites: GEOL 350, GEOL 428, GEOL 433, and GEOL 443.
- GEOL 460 Introduction to Geophysics (3)
Prerequisites: PHYS 151, PHYS 152; and MATH 123, all with a grade of "C" or better.
- GEOL 461 Introduction to Geochemistry (3)
Prerequisites: CHEM 111A,B and MATH 123.
In addition, nine units of electives (normally at upper division) approved in advance by the undergraduate advisor.
