Program Overview

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Bachelor of Science in Geology

About

The undergraduate Bachelor of Science degree in Geology is a rigorous program that is designed to both prepare students for entry into the workforce as practicing geoscientists, and to provide them with the knowledge required to pursue an advanced degree. Students enrolled in the Geology program are afforded the opportunity to pursue interests in several areas of specialization, including: petrology, volcanology, structural geology, sedimentary geology, economic geology, hydrology, soil science, climate change, petroleum geology, and paleontology. A critical component of this degree program is a field-based capstone project in which students must demonstrate their ability to interpret a natural system and communicate their understanding in a professional manner.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the Geology program students will be able to demonstrate the ability to:

• Identify common rock-forming minerals and major rock types in hand specimen and thin section, and describe the conditions under which each of them formed. This will include being able to describe the chemical characteristics of various types of rocks.
• Identify the common types of fossils and how they are used to reconstruct the evolution of life on earth.
• Be able to recognize the major types of geologic structures and use these to reconstruct the tectonic history of a region.
• Describe the major processes and landforms of the earth’s surface.
• Describe the plate-tectonic history of the earth and the relationship between plate tectonic processes and mountain building.
• Reconstruct the sedimentological framework and stratigraphic history of a well-exposed stratigraphic record.
• Demonstrate sufficient quantitative and writing skills, and proficiencies in computers and multi-media systems for application in the analysis and presentation of geologic concepts.
• Apply the techniques of at least two specializations within the field of geology to the solution of appropriate research or applied problems.
• Demonstrate the ability to function independently, collaboratively, and ethically with others in the profession as colleagues and supervisors through project-based course work, participation in wider department functions.
• Complete a culminating experience in which students construct a geologic map on a topographic base and cross section, interpret the geologic history, and write a professional quality report on the geology of the area. Through the field geology course, students will also demonstrate the ability to recognize, formulate, employ, and interpret the scientific methodology, and employ critical thinking skills.
• Recognize the role of humans in Earth Systems, and our dependency and influence on the Earth Systems.

Career Possibilities

• Careers22.5 KB

Requirements

Geology (BS)

The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Geology is a rigorous program that is designed to both prepare students for entry into the workforce as practicing geoscientists, and to provide them with the knowledge required to pursue an advanced degree. Students enrolled in the Geology program are afforded the opportunity to pursue interests in several areas of specialization, including: petrology, volcanology, structural geology, sedimentary geology, economic geology, hydrology, soil science, climate change, petroleum geology, and paleontology. A critical component of this degree program is a field-based capstone project in which students must demonstrate their ability to interpret a natural system and communicate their understanding in a professional manner.

Please see the UNLV College of Sciences, Geoscience department web page for information about department programs, faculty and facilities. Degree worksheets and 4/5 year plan for the major are available on the UNLV Degrees Directory.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the Geology program students will be:

1. Identify common rock-forming minerals in hand specimen and thin section, major rock types and will be able to describe the conditions under which each of them formed. This will include being able to describe the chemical characteristics of various types of rocks, geologic influences on environmental pollutants, and the use of stable and radiogenic isotopes as environmental tracers and tools in dating rocks and water.
2. Identify the common types of invertebrate and vertebrate fossils, their approximate age, and the environments in which they lived, and have a grounding in the historical development of the field of geology.
3. Recognize, in the field, various types of geologic structures, and be able to use these to reconstruct the structural history of a region.
4. Describe the major processes that determine the characteristics of the earth's surface, and be able to examine a landscape and interpret its geomorphic history.
5. Describe the plate-tectonic history of the earth (when various supercontinents assembled and fragmented), the relationship between plate tectonic processes and mountain building, and the types of data that are used to reconstruct the position of a particular plate in the geologic past.
6. Describe the regional stratigraphic framework of the Southern Nevada region; they will also be able to go into a new region that has a well-exposed stratigraphic record, and reconstruct the sedimentological history of the region.
7. Be facile in computer applications in geology including spatial and imagery analysis applications, quantitative skills, and express themselves well in oral and written reports.
8. Apply the techniques of at least two specializations within the field of geology (e.g., geophysics, hydrogeology, GIS, geochronology, petroleum geology) to the solution of appropriate research or applied problems.
9. Able to demonstrate the ability to function independently, collaboratively, and ethically with others in the profession as colleagues and supervisors.
10. Demonstrate the ability to enter a new field area, construct a geologic map on a topographic base, interpret the geologic history of the area, and write a professional quality report on the geology of the area. This learning objective comprises the Capstone experience for this degree program and is fulfilled through the summer field geology course. It also includes the ability to recognize, formulate, employ, and interpret the scientific methodology, and employ critical thinking skills. Many other learning outcomes for this degree program are also reinforced through this capstone experience (For instance, outcomes 1-5, and 9).

Advising

Please see advising information at the UNLV College of Sciences Advising Center.

Accreditation

For information regarding accreditation at UNLV, please head over to Academic Program Accreditations.

Transfer Policy

Biology, chemistry, physics, and math transfer courses will be accepted to fill specific degree requirements only with a grade of C or better.

University Graduation Requirements

Please see Graduation Policies for complete information.

Geology (BS) Degree Requirements - Total: 120 Credits

To develop a level of geologic competency in our graduates so they are equipped to compete successfully for entry-level jobs in the geological job market and/or for admission to graduate programs offered by accredited universities and colleges. To accomplish the above:

1. The B.S. in Geology degree is intended to recognize, formulate, employ, and interpret the scientific methodology that is appropriate to geological research.
2. All students will graduate with competency in correctly identifying the properties, characteristics, and behavior of earth materials.
3. Graduating students will be proficient in the production and interpretation of geologic maps.
4. All graduates will have a working knowledge of those scientific disciplines ancillary to the science of geology: chemistry, physics, and mathematics.
5. All students will have the ability to function independently, collaboratively, and ethically with others in the profession.
6. Each graduate will demonstrate the written and verbal communications skills required to convey the results of scientific research.

General Education Requirements - Credits: 32-42

First-Year Seminar - Credits: 2-3

1. It is strongly recommended that students take SCI 101 to satisfy the First Year Seminar requirement.

English Composition - Credits: 6

• ENG 101 - Composition I
• ENG 102 - Composition II

Second-Year Seminar - Credits: 3

Constitutions - Credits: 3-6

Mathematics

• Fulfilled by the major requirement - MATH 181 - Calculus I or higher

Distribution Requirement - Credits: 18

Please see Distribution Requirements for more information

Humanities and Fine Arts - Credits: 9

• Two courses 3 credits each from two different humanities areas - 6 credits
• One course in fine arts - 3 credits

Social Science - Credits: 9

• One course each from three different fields.

Life and Physical Sciences and Analytical Thinking - Credits: 0

• Automatically satisfied by Major requirements

Multicultural and International - Credits: 0-6

• Multicultural, one 3 credit course required
• International, one 3 credit course required

These courses may overlap with general education and major requirements. A single course may not meet the multicultural and international requirements simultaneously. Visit the Provost webpage for the list of approved Multicultural and International courses.

Major Requirements - BS in Geology - Credits: 58-61

Writing Requirement - Credits: 3

Select 3 credits from the following:

• ENG 405B - Research and Editing
• ENG 407A - Fundamentals of Business Writing
• ENG 407B - Fundamentals of Technical Writing
• ENG 407C - Advanced Professional Communication

Required Department Courses - Credits: 33-34

• Any GEOL/GEOG 100 level course for no more than 4 credits
• GEOL 102 - Earth and Life Through Time
• GEOL 220 - Mineralogy
• GEOL 327 - Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology/Petrography
• GEOL 333 - Principles of Geomorphology
• GEOL 362 - Principles of Stratigraphy and Sedimentation
• GEOL 442 - Structural Geology
• GEOL 448 - Field Geology I
• GEOL 472 - Advanced Field Geology

Related Required Courses - Credits: 25-27

Mathematics Courses

• MATH 181 - Calculus I
• and one of the following 3 courses:
  • MATH 182 - Calculus II
  • STAT 152 - Introduction to Statistics
  • STAT 491 - Statistics for Scientists I

Chemistry Courses

• CHEM 121A - General Chemistry I
• CHEM 121L - General Chemistry Laboratory I
• and either
  • GEOL 330 - Introduction to Geochemistry
  • or both
    • CHEM 122A - General Chemistry II
    • CHEM 122L - General Chemistry Laboratory II

Physics Courses

Choose 8 credits of Physics. Preferably 2 lecture courses with their respective labs in the same sequence.

• PHYS 151A - General Physics I and PHYS 151L - General Physics I Lab
• PHYS 152A - General Physics II and PHYS 152L - General Physics II Lab
• or
• PHYS 195 - Physics for Scientists and Engineers A and PHYS 195L - Physics for Scientists and Engineers Lab A
• PHYS 196 - Physics for Scientists and Engineers B and PHYS 196L - Physics for Scientists and Engineers Lab B
• or
• PHYS 180 - Physics for Scientists and Engineers I and PHYS 180L - Physics for Scientists and Engineers Lab I
• and one set from
  • PHYS 181 - Physics for Scientists and Engineers II and PHYS 181L - Physics for Scientists and Engineers Lab II
  • or
  • PHYS 182 - Physics for Scientists and Engineers III and PHYS 182L - Physics for Scientists and Engineers Lab III

General Electives - Credits: 17-30

Additional Electives in Geology and other topics (at least 9 must be 300 level or above in GEOL or GEOG.)

Total Credits: 120

Notes:

1. It is strongly recommended that students take SCI 101 to satisfy the First Year Seminar requirement.
2. Students must complete 40 upper-division credits (satisfied by the degree requirements in the major).
3. GEOL 220 is a Milestone Experience course for Geology B.S.
4. GEOL 472 is a Culminating Experience course for Geology B.S.