Program Overview

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Geology, BA

Overview

The Geology, BA program aims to provide students with both high-quality conceptual knowledge and hands-on training in geology in preparation for careers within the earth-science field or for graduate studies in geology.

Admissions

University-wide admissions policies can be found in the Undergraduate Admissions Policies section of this catalog.

To apply for this program, please complete the George Mason University Admissions Application.

Policies

Students must fulfill all Requirements for Bachelor's Degrees including the Mason Core.

GEOL 317 Geomorphology (Mason Core) fulfills the writing intensive requirement for this major.

For policies governing all undergraduate degrees, see AP.5 Undergraduate Policies.

Banner Code: SC-BA-GEOL

Degree Requirements

Total credits: minimum 120

This is a Green Leaf program.

Students should refer to the Admissions & Policies tab for specific policies related to this program.

Candidates for a degree in geology must complete all core courses with a minimum GPA of 2.30.

Geology Core

• GEOL 101 & GEOL 103: Physical Geology (Mason Core) and Physical Geology Lab (Mason Core) (4 credits)
• GEOL 102 & GEOL 104: Historical Geology (Mason Core) and Historical Geology Laboratory (Mason Core) (4 credits)
• GEOL 302: Mineralogy (4 credits)
• GEOL 304: Sedimentary Geology (4 credits)
• GEOL 308: Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology (4 credits)
• GEOL 312: Invertebrate Paleontology (4 credits)
• GEOL 317: Geomorphology (Mason Core) (4 credits)
• GEOL 401: Structural Geology (4 credits) Total Credits: 32

Geology Electives

• Students must select a minimum of 15 credits in geology or geology-related coursework from the following:
  • Option One:
    • GEOL 404: Geological Field Techniques
    • Select three courses from the Geology Electives list below
  • Option Two:
    • Select five courses from the Geology Electives list below
• Geology Electives:
  • GEOL 301: Geological Field Experience
  • GEOL 303: Field Mapping Techniques
  • GEOL 305: Environmental Geology (Mason Core)
  • GEOL 306: Soil Science
  • GEOL 309: Oceanography
  • GEOL 313: Hydrogeology
  • GEOL 320: Resource Geology
  • GEOL 325: Planetary Geology
  • GEOL 332: Paleoclimatology
  • GEOL 334: Vertebrate Paleontology (Mason Core)
  • GEOL 340: Modern Methods in Geology
  • GEOL 363: Coastal Morphology and Processes
  • GEOL 364: Marine Geology
  • GEOL 392: Geology and Earth Science Seminar
  • GEOL 403: Geochemistry
  • GEOL 404: Geological Field Techniques
  • GEOL 412: Physical Oceanography
  • GEOL 417: Geophysics
  • GEOL 420: Earth Science and Policy (Mason Core)
  • GEOL 441: Great Events in Earth History Total Credits: 15

Chemistry

• CHEM 211 & CHEM 213: General Chemistry I (Mason Core) and General Chemistry Laboratory I (Mason Core) (4 credits) Total Credits: 4

Physics

• Select one from the following:
  • PHYS 160 & PHYS 161: University Physics I (Mason Core) and University Physics I Laboratory (Mason Core)
  • PHYS 243 & PHYS 244: College Physics I (Mason Core) and College Physics I Lab (Mason Core) Total Credits: 4

Mathematics

• Select one from the following:
  • MATH 110: Introductory Probability (Mason Core)
  • MATH 111: Linear Mathematical Modeling (Mason Core)
  • MATH 113: Analytic Geometry and Calculus I (Mason Core)
  • or MATH 123 & MATH 124: Calculus with Algebra/Trigonometry, Part A and Calculus with Algebra/Trigonometry, Part B (Mason Core) Total Credits: 3-6

Computer Science

• Select one course from the following:
  • CDS 130: Computing for Scientists (Mason Core)
  • GGS 311: Geographic Information Systems Total Credits: 3

Mason Core and Elective Credits

• In order to meet a minimum of 120 credits, this degree requires an additional 56-59 credits, which may be applied toward any remaining Mason Core requirements, Requirements for Bachelor's Degrees, College Requirements for the BA Degree, and elective courses.
• Students are strongly encouraged to consult with their advisors to ensure that they fulfill all requirements.

Mason Core

• Some Mason Core requirements may already be fulfilled by the major requirements listed above.
• Students are strongly encouraged to consult their advisors to ensure they fulfill all remaining Mason Core requirements.

College Requirements for the BA Degree

• In addition to the program requirements and the Mason Core requirements, students pursuing a BA degree must complete the coursework below.
• Except where expressly prohibited, a course used to fulfill this college-level requirement may also be used simultaneously to satisfy other requirements such as Mason Core requirements, other college-level requirements, or requirements for the major.

Foundational Breadth

• Choose two courses from approved Mason Core: Arts, Mason Core: Literature, Mason Core: Global Contexts, and Mason Core: Social and Behavioral Sciences courses in addition to those required by the Mason Core.
• The two courses used to fulfill the college-level requirements must each be from different Mason Core categories.
• Additionally, they must be from different disciplines than the courses used to fulfill the University Mason Core requirements.

Natural Science

• Choose one credit in addition to the Mason Core: Natural Science requirement for a total of 8 credits.
• This combined college-level and university requirement must be fulfilled by completing two of any approved Mason Core: Natural Science courses that include a laboratory experience.

Foreign Language

• Intermediate-level proficiency in one foreign language is required and may be fulfilled via one of the options below:
  • 1. Completing a course in a foreign language numbered 202 (or its equivalent), or higher level courses taught in the language.
  • 2. Achieving a satisfactory score on an approved proficiency test.
  • 3. Completing a three course sequence in American Sign Language:
    • EDSE 115: American Sign Language (ASL) I
    • EDSE 116: American Sign Language (ASL) II
    • EDSE 219: American Sign Language (ASL) III
  • 4. Conferral of a baccalaureate degree.

Honors in the Major

• Earth science and geology majors who have completed 16 credits of math and science, including GEOL 302 Mineralogy with a GPA of 3.00 or higher are eligible to enter the departmental honors program.
• Transfer students who have an incoming GPA of 3.10 or higher in math and science and a grade of ‘B’ or better in GEOL 302 Mineralogy are also eligible.
• To graduate with honors in Earth Science, students are required to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.00 in math and science courses and complete one of the two following sets of courses with an average GPA of 3.50 or better:
  • First Set of Courses:
    • GEOL 410: Research Proposal Preparation
    • GEOL 411: Geological Research
    • GEOL 420: Earth Science and Policy (Mason Core)
  • Second Set of Courses:
    • CLIM 408: Senior Research (Mason Core)
    • CLIM 409: Research Internship
    • GEOL 420: Earth Science and Policy (Mason Core)

Bachelor's Degree (selected)/Environmental Science and Policy, Accelerated MS

Overview

• This bachelor's/accelerated master's degree program allows academically strong undergraduates with a commitment to advance their education to obtain a Green Leaf-designated bachelor's degree and the Environmental Science and Policy, MS degrees within an accelerated timeframe.
• Upon completion of this 141-credit accelerated program, students will be exceptionally well prepared for entry into their careers or into a doctoral program in the field or in a related discipline.

Admission Requirements

• Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in the Graduate Admission Policies section of this catalog.
• Important application information and processes for this accelerated master's program can be found here.
• The GRE exam is not required for this accelerated master's program.
• Students should submit three letters of recommendation (at least one from a former professor or someone with a PhD), a recent resume, a statement of interest/research goals and interests (including information on the candidate's proposed MS research), and a letter from their advisor (Perspective Advisor Form) stating that the advisor agrees to take on the candidate as an MS student, how the candidate would be a good fit for them and why candidate's research topic would be suitable.

Accelerated Option Requirements

• After the completion of 75 undergraduate credits, students may complete 3 to 12 credits of graduate coursework that can apply to both the undergraduate and graduate degrees.
• In addition to applying to graduate from the undergraduate program, students in the accelerated program must submit a bachelor's/accelerated master's transition form (available from the Office of the University Registrar) to the College of Science's Office of Academic and Student Affairs by the last day to add classes of their final undergraduate semester.
• Students should enroll for courses in the master's program in the fall or spring semester immediately following conferral of the bachelor's degree, but should contact an advisor if they would like to defer up to one semester.
• Students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.00 or higher in all graduate coursework and should consult with their faculty advisor to coordinate their academic goals.

Reserve Graduate Credits

• Accelerated master's students may also take up to 6 graduate credits as reserve graduate credits.
• These credits do not apply to the undergraduate degree, but will reduce the master's degree by up to 6 credits.
• With 12 graduate credits counted toward the undergraduate and graduate degrees plus the maximum 6 reserve graduate credits, the credits necessary for the graduate degree can be reduced by up to 18.

Graduate Course Suggestions

• The following list of suggested courses is provided for general reference.
• To ensure an efficient route to graduation and post-graduation readiness, students are strongly encouraged to meet with an advisor before registering for graduate-level courses.
• EVPP 518: Conservation Biology
• EVPP 529: Environmental Science Communication
• EVPP 621: Overview of Biodiversity Conservation
• EVPP 635: Environment and Society

Geology, BA or BS/Secondary Education, Accelerated MEd (Secondary Education - Science Concentration)

Overview

• Highly-qualified undergraduates may be admitted to the bachelor's/accelerated master's program and obtain a BA or BS in Geology and an MEd in Secondary Education (Secondary Education - Science concentration) in an accelerated timeframe after satisfactory completion of a minimum of 143 credits.
• See AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degree for policies related to this program.
• This accelerated option is offered jointly by the Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Earth Sciences and the School of Education.
• Students in an accelerated degree program must fulfill all university requirements for the master's degree.
• For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.

BAM Pathway Admission Requirements

• Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions Policies and Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degree policies.
• For information specific to this accelerated master's program, see Application Requirements and Deadlines.
• Students will be considered for admission into the BAM Pathway after completion of a minimum of 60 credits, and additional unit-specific criteria.
• Students who are accepted into the BAM Pathway will be allowed to register for graduate level courses after successful completion of a minimum of 75 undergraduate credits and course-specific pre-requisites.

Accelerated Master’s Admission Requirements

• Students already admitted in the BAM Pathway will be admitted to the MEd program, if they have met the following criteria, as verified on the Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s Transition form:
  • 3.0 overall GPA
  • Completion of specific undergraduate coursework
  • Successfully meeting Mason’s requirements for undergraduate degree conferral (graduation) and completing the application for graduation.

Accelerated Pathway Requirements

• To maintain the integrity and quality of both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs, undergraduate students interested in taking graduate courses must choose from the following which can be taken as Advanced Standing or Reserve Graduate credit (to be determined by the student and their advisor):
  • EDRD 619: Literacy Across the Disciplines
  • EDUC 545: Teaching Science and Engineering Practices
  • SEED 522: Foundations of Secondary Education
  • SEED 540: Human Development and Learning: Secondary Education
  • SEED 573: Teaching Science in the Secondary School
  • SEED 673: Advanced Methods of Teaching Science in the Secondary School
  • One of the following:
    • SEED 507: Assessing Learning and Teaching in the Secondary Classroom
    • SEED 508: Creating Advocacy with Adolescent Learners
    • SEED 509: Perspectives on Extraordinary Teaching
    • SEED 510: Secondary Education in International Contexts

Related Programs

• Atmospheric Science Minor
• Atmospheric Sciences, BS
• Climate Resilience and Adaptation Minor (ATMS)
• Earth Science Minor
• Geology Minor
• Geology, BS
• Ocean and Estuarine Science Minor
• Paleontology Minor