Program Overview

Geology B.S.

With 4.54 billion years of Earth’s history to understand, rock out with a degree grounded in the more traditional aspects of geology with room to specialize in the subdiscipline of your choice.

Geology explores what what lies beneath the Earth's crust--and what happens when it emerges as lava.

About this Program

• Synthesize your classroom learning in the real world through a required six-week field experience as part of a semester study abroad in New Zealand or through a domestic summer program chosen with the guidance of a faculty advisor.
• Learn from expert faculty with expertise across solid Earth sciences, paleoclimatology, paleobiology and water resources.
• Students engaged in research use state-of-the-art laboratory and computing facilities for sophisticated analytical and numerical study of Earth systems.
• Earn a special distinction in geology by maintaining a strong GPA and completing a research-based senior thesis project under the supervision of a faculty member.
• Participate in an active, thriving undergraduate geosciences club, UGoGeo, to build camaraderie with fellow students and connect with faculty.
• Conquer abstract reasoning about time and space by connecting geologic processes that span microscopic to planetary in scale and from seconds to tens of millions of years in time.
• Learn the field’s latest developments through classes taught by research-active faculty.
• Take advantage of department-led field trips to unique geological locales.
• Students have the option to join the Environment and Sustainability Living Learning Community.

Program Information

• Degree Type: Major
• Outcome: B.S.
• Modality: In-person
• College or School: College of Arts and Sciences

Curriculum

Start with courses in introductory Earth science, chemistry, physics and mathematics. Subsequent core courses in geology prepare students to dive into divisional courses spanning four major areas within the field: solid Earth, water science, paleoclimate and paleobiology.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Explain process-based linkages among tectonics, climate and life as illustrated by the Earth system over time.
• Analyze and interpret general patterns in the history of the Earth-life system using geological records and analytical and/or numerical tools.
• Infer depositional processes and environments from field and lab observations of sedimentary systems.
• Describe tectonic processes and their manifestations in Earth’s crust, including seismicity, volcanism and deformation.
• Effectively synthesize published literature related to geological sciences in a written report and/or a data product.
• Develop written and verbal communication skills required to effectively convey science to a wide range of audiences.

Sample Courses

• Applications of GIS in Earth Sciences
• Global Change: Geologic Record
• Geomorphology
• Geophysical Field Methods
• Sedimentary Processes and Systems

Extracurricular Opportunities

• Campus facilities: Heroy Geology Laboratory
• Research: K.D. Nelson Lecture Series
• Study abroad opportunity: Frontiers Abroad: Earth Science

Related Programs

• Applied Mathematics B.A.
• Applied Mathematics B.S.
• Earth Sciences B.A.
• Environmental Geoscience B.S.
• Environment, Sustainability and Policy B.A.
• Environment, Sustainability and Policy B.S.