Program Overview
Geology, BS
The Geology Program at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the Earth's physical structure, composition, and processes. The program offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology, with four tracks: General Geology, Geochemistry, Environmental Geology, and Energy Resources.
Program Description
The mission of the Geology Program is to provide integrated and process-oriented curricula, based on fundamental scientific principles and processes that enable graduates to pursue challenging careers and maintain lifelong learning. The program is designed to serve students majoring in geology and environmental science, as well as students in other fields who are interested in adding to their knowledge of the Earth.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students who complete the Geology Program will be able to:
- Show competence in scientific inquiry, writing, and oral presentation
- Demonstrate a broad understanding of major concepts central to the geological sciences
- Demonstrate competency and be able to apply field and laboratory methods, perform data analysis, and utilize computer applications relevant to the geological sciences
- Be employable in geology-related fields, or able to continue their education in graduate programs
- Be able to evaluate and critically discuss issues related to geology that impact society
Fast Track from Bachelor's to Master's Degree
The university allows high-achieving students to count a select number of graduate credits toward their undergraduate degree, enabling them to obtain a graduate degree at an accelerated pace.
General Requirements
The minimum requirement for a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geology is 120 hours, divided among the following areas:
- Core Curriculum Program: 42 hours
- First-Year Seminars: 0-2 hours
- Supporting Courses: 8 hours
- Geology Core: 42 hours
- Geology Tracks: 28 hours
Program Requirements
The program requires students to complete the following courses:
- UNIV 1101: First-Year Seminar I
- UNIV 1102: First-Year Seminar II
- MATH 2413: Calculus I
- CHEM 1411: General Chemistry I
- CHEM 1412: General Chemistry II
- PHYS 1401: General Physics I
- PHYS 1402: General Physics II
- GEOL 1403: Physical Geology
- GEOL 1404: Historical Geology
- GEOL 2102: Undergraduate Seminar in Geology-Careers in the Geosciences
- GEOL 2103: Undergraduate Seminar in Geology-Research in the Geosciences
- GEOL 3411: Mineralogy
- GEOL 3326: Introduction to Geological Field Methods
- GEOL 3414: Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
- GEOL 4411: Sedimentation and Stratigraphy
- GEOL 4421: Structural Geology
- GEOL 4422: Geophysics
- GEOL 4650: Field Geology
Geology Tracks
The program offers four tracks:
- General Geology Track
- Geochemistry Track
- Environmental Geology Track
- Energy Resources Track
General Geology Track
The General Geology track is designed to serve students majoring in geology and environmental science, as well as students in other fields who are interested in a broad overview of geologic processes. Students in this track must complete 15 hours of designated electives and 13 hours of approved science electives.
Geochemistry Track
The Geochemistry track focuses on the relationships between aqueous solutions, equilibrium thermodynamics and kinetics, acid-base equilibria, redox reactions, carbon chemistry, organic compounds, biogeochemical cycles, microbial influences, and geological processes. Students in this track must complete 24 hours of designated electives.
Environmental Geology Track
The Environmental Geology track is designed to provide students with a broad training for careers in different aspects of the environmental geosciences, including water resources, water quality, and the hydrogeochemistry of natural waters. Students in this track must complete 24 hours of designated electives.
Energy Resources Track
The Energy Resources track offers the engineering and geology background for exploration and production of hydrocarbons, gas hydrates, and renewable resources such as geothermal energy. Students in this track must complete 20-21 hours of designated electives.
Optional Minor in Another Subject
Geology majors may choose to complete a minor in an approved subject, which requires at least 18 semester hours of coursework.
Course Sequencing
The program provides a suggested course sequence for students to follow, which includes:
- First Year: GEOL 1403, MATH 2413, UNIV 1101, ENGL 1302, COMM 1311
- Second Year: GEOL 1404, CHEM 1411, PHYS 1401, UNIV 1102, GEOL 2102
- Third Year: GEOL 3411, CHEM 1412, PHYS 1402, POLS 2305, GEOL 2103
- Fourth Year: GEOL 4411, GEOL 4421, GEOL 4444, PSYC 2301, GEOL 4650
Courses
The program offers a variety of courses, including:
- GEOL 1303: Essentials of Geology
- GEOL 1403: Physical Geology
- GEOL 1404: Historical Geology
- GEOL 2102: Undergraduate Seminar in Geology-Careers in the Geosciences
- GEOL 2103: Undergraduate Seminar in Geology-Research in the Geosciences
- GEOL 2222: Karst Geology and Paleoclimatology
- GEOL 2490: Selected Topics
- GEOL 3326: Introduction to Geological Field Methods
- GEOL 3329: Geology of National Parks
- GEOL 3411: Mineralogy
- GEOL 3414: Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
- GEOL 3441: Invertebrate Paleontology
- GEOL 3442: Geomorphology
- GEOL 3443: Environmental Geology
- GEOL 3490: Selected Topics
- GEOL 4050: Geology Field Safety Seminar
- GEOL 4311: Paleoclimatology
- GEOL 4316: Marine Geoscience
- GEOL 4321: Introduction to Soil and Groundwater Restoration
- GEOL 4326: Field Seminar in Geology
- GEOL 4411: Sedimentation and Stratigraphy
- GEOL 4415: Economic Geology
- GEOL 4416: Introduction to Geochemistry
- GEOL 4421: Structural Geology
- GEOL 4422: Geophysics
- GEOL 4423: Seismic Methods
- GEOL 4424: Environmental and Engineering Geophysics
- GEOL 4430: Internship in Geology
- GEOL 4436: Introduction to Petroleum Geology
- GEOL 4444: Hydrogeology
- GEOL 4490: Selected Topics
- GEOL 4496: Directed Independent Study
- GEOL 4649: Karst of the Yucatan Peninsula
- GEOL 4650: Field Geology