The University's core curriculum, required for all bachelor's degrees, is explained under Degree Program Requirements in this catalog. In addition to the core curriculum, the requirements for each option are listed below.
Professional Option
Geology Requirements for the Major
GEOL 1425 (Earth Systems)
GEOL 1426 (Earth History)
GEOL 2445 (Mineralogy)
GEOL 2446 (Petrology)
GEOL 3441 (Paleontology)
GEOL 3442 (Sedimentology)
GEOL 3443 (Structure)
GEOL 3387 & GEOL 3388 (Field Geology)
Three hours of GEOL 4302, 4308, 4320 or 4402.
Six hours of 4000 level courses approved by the advisor. No more than 3 hours may be from GEOL 4330, 4331, 4333, 4334.
Requirements for the Minor
18 hours in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, or Physics. Six hours must be upper division (3000/4000) courses approved by the advisor. A double minor requires 36 hours in any two of the aforementioned departments.
Natural Science other than Geology
A year of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics that includes BIOL 1441 and 1442; CHEM 1441 and 1442; PHYS 1441 or 1443, and 1442 or 1444.
Mathematics
MATH 1426 (Calculus I); MATH 2425 (Calculus II); MATH 3316 (Statistical Inference). The Math Department requires a placement exam before enrolling in Calculus I. Depending on the results of the placement exam, student may be required to take additional prerequisites.
Computer Literacy
Any computer related course such as GEOL 4330, Understanding GIS.
Oral Communication
COMM 3302 (also satisfies Liberal Arts elective) or pass oral presentation requirement in GEOL 3441 or 3443.
General Requirements
The University requires at least 120 total credit hours, of which 36 must be upper division hours.
Environmental Science Option
Geology Requirements for the Major
GEOL 1425 (Earth Systems)
GEOL 1426 (Earth History) or 2411 (Global Environmental Issues)
GEOL 2445 (Mineralogy)
GEOL 2446 (Petrology)
GEOL 4405 (Meteorology)
GEOL 3442 (Sedimentology)
GEOL 3443 (Structure)
GEOL 3387 and GEOL 3388 (Field Geology)
GEOL 4308 (Environmental Geochemistry)
GEOL 4320 (Hydrology)
GEOL 4330 (Geographic Information Systems)
Requirements for the Minor
18 hours in Biology or Chemistry. Six hours must be upper division (3000/4000) courses approved by the advisor. A double minor requires 36 hours in both of the aforementioned departments.
Natural Science other than Geology
A year of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics that includes BIOL 1441 and 1442; CHEM 1441 and 1442; PHYS 1441 and 1442.
Mathematics
MATH 1426 (Calculus I) and MATH 2425 (Calculus II) and MATH 3316 (Statistics). The Math Department requires a placement exam before enrolling in Calculus I. Depending on the results of the placement exam, students may be required to take one or more of the following: College Algebra, Trigonometry, and Precalculus.
Computer Literacy
Any computer related course such as GEOL 4330, Understanding GIS.
Oral Communication
COMM 3302 (also satisfies Liberal Arts elective) or pass oral presentation requirement in GEOL 3441 or 3443.
General Requirements
The University requires at least 120 total credit hours, of which 36 must be upper division hours.
Engineering Geology Option
Civil Engineering classes CE 2311 (Statics), CE 2210 (Dynamics), and 17 more hours of advisor-approved courses.
Geology Requirements for the Major
GEOL 1425 (Earth Systems)
GEOL 1426 (Earth History)
GEOL 2445 (Mineralogy)
GEOL 2446 (Petrology)
GEOL 3442 (Sedimentology)
GEOL 3443 (Structure)
GEOL 3387 and GEOL 3388 (Field Geology)
GEOL 4308 (Environmental Geochemistry)
GEOL 4320 (Hydrology)
GEOL 4330 (Geographic Information Systems)
18 hours of advisor-approved Civil Engineering courses including CE 2312 (Statics and Dynamics), CE 3305 (Fluids), and CE 2313 (Materials). Six hours must be upper division (CE 3000/4000) courses.
No minor is required for this option.
Natural Science other than Geology
A year of Chemistry and Physics that includes CHEM 1441 and 1442; PHYS 1443 and 1444.
Mathematics
MATH 1426 (Calculus I) and MATH 2425 (Calculus II). The Math Department requires a placement exam before enrolling in Calculus I. Depending on the results of the placement exam, students may be required to take one or more of the following: College Algebra, Trigonometry, and Precalculus.
Computer Literacy
Any computer related course such as GEOL 4330, Understanding GIS.
Oral Communication
COMM 3302 (also satisfies Liberal Arts elective) or pass oral presentation requirement in GEOL 3441 or 3443.
General Requirements
The University requires at least 120 total credit hours, of which 36 must be upper division hours.
Typical Course Sequence
(For students who are well-prepared for college level work at the time of admission, and who can devote 50-60 hours per week to study. All students are expected to see their academic advisor prior to enrollment each term.)
Freshman Year
First Semester: ENGL 1301; MATH 1323; GEOL 1425, 1391; HIST 1311 - 16 hours.
Second Semester: ENGL 1302; MATH 1426; CHEM 1441; GEOL 1426; HIST 1312 - 18 hours.
Sophomore Year
First Semester: English (literature), 3 hours; MATH 2425; CHEM 1442; GEOL 2445 - 15 hours.
Second Semester: BIOL 1441; POLS 2311; GEOL 2446; Social Science, 3 hours - 14 hours.
Junior Year
First Semester: PHYS 1441 or 1443; GEOL 3441; MATH 3316; POLS 2312 - 14 hours.
Second Semester: GEOL 3442 and 3443; PHYS 1442 or 1444; BIOL 1442 - 16 hours.
Summer Session
GEOL 3387 and 3388 (Summer Field Course) 6 hours.
Senior Year
First Semester: Minor, 6 hours; Geology (elective), 3 hours; Fine Arts, 3 hours; Other Social Science or Fine Arts, 3 hours - 15 hours.
Second Semester: Minor, 6 hours; Geology Electives, 6 hours; Free Electives, 3 hours - 15 hours.
