BS & BA Degree Requirements
Undergraduate Majors
Bachelor of Science
The Bachelor of Science in geology is designed for those students
who intend to become professional geologists and/or those who plan to
attend graduate school in geosciences. The program includes courses
normally expected of graduate school applicants, including a summer
field camp and courses in related sciences and mathematics. This degree
program prepares students for the examination for the professional
geologist license.
Program Objectives:
The primary mission of our B.S. geology program is to provide a
quality educational experience that prepares men and women to enter
careers in geology and related fields. We expect that our graduates
should:
- Have the basic knowledge and skills demanded for entry-level competence in typical careers in earth science.
- Be able to apply basic scientific and technical knowledge to specific tasks and problems.
- Cultivate the specific scientific and technical skills that
will allow them effectively to serve their employers and to enhance
their own career development.
- Develop increased capacity in the skills of independent
learning, critical thinking, problem definition, and problem solving.
- Develop enhanced numerical skills and computer literacy as
part of an undergraduate program designed to deliver a current and
relevant knowledge of their discipline.
- Communicate effectively and professionally through oral,
written, and graphical means and to participate effectively in their
workplace and in individual and team-related activities.
- Have the broad general education needed to appreciate the
role of Earth Sciences in the societal context and appreciate the
importance of ethics in the practice of the profession.
Program Goals:
The department of Geology and Geophysics has the following specific goals for its B.S. program:
- Students in the B.S. program will receive a quality preparatory
education in the discipline that is current, relevant, practical, and
personal.
- B.S. students who graduate with appropriate grades will be
able to compete successfully for positions at graduate schools
nationwide.
- B.S. students who graduate with appropriate grades will be
well prepared for entry-level positions as professionals within their
and other related disciplines.
Bachelor of Arts
The Bachelor of Arts in geology and Earth sciences is specifically
designed for undergraduates who wish to study Earth sciences as a
foundation for careers in a variety of areas, such as environmental
law, natural resource business, land use planning, Earth science
education, science journalism, and many governmental positions. The
B.A. program includes a broad spectrum of courses, and focuses both on
information about the Earth and on how society makes decisions that
affect the Earth system.
Program Objectives:
The primary mission of our B.A. geology program is to provide a broad
educational experience that prepares men and women for careers in earth
science-related fields. We expect that our graduate should:
- Have the basic knowledge and skills demanded for entry-level
competence in typical careers in earth
science-related fields.
- Be able to apply their knowledge to specific situations or problems.
- Cultivate the skills and ethics that will allow them
effectively to serve their employers and to enhance their
own career development.
- Develop increased capacity for independent learning, critical thinking, and problem solving.
- Develop basic numerical skills and computer literacy as part
of an undergraduate program designed to deliver a current and relevant
knowledge of their discipline.
- Communicate effectively and professionally through oral,
written, and graphical means and to participate effectively in the work
environment, both in individual and team-related activities.
- Have the broad general education needed to appreciate the role
of Earth Sciences in the societal context and appreciate the importance
of ethics in the practice of the profession.
Program Goals:
The department of Geology and Geophysics has the following specific goals for its B.A. program:
- Students in the B.A. program will receive a broad
preparatory education in earth science and related fields
that is current, relevant, practical, and personal.
- B.A. students who graduate with appropriate grades will be
able to compete successfully for positions at graduate
schools nationwide.
- B.A. students who graduate with appropriate grades will be
well prepared for entry-level positions in the geosciences
and other related disciplines.
The Department of Geology and Geophysics also participates in the
Earth System Science interdisciplinary program by offering a
concentration in geology for the B.S. degree in ESS. Students
interested in this major should consult the section on Earth System
Science for a curriculum requirements.
Required Academic Performance
In order to graduate with a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts
degree in geology, the student must earn a letter grade of C (S where
appropriate) or better in each course listed herein as part of the
required course programs. This grade requirement applies to course work
taken outside the department, as well as to transfer courses credited
in lieu of resident requirements.
