Program Overview

Program Overview

The Geology program at the University of Cincinnati is a four-year undergraduate degree that provides students with a comprehensive education in geology and paleontology. The program is designed to prepare students for careers in the geosciences, with a strong foundation in the principles of geology, as well as hands-on experience in field and laboratory settings.

Program Requirements

The Geology program requires a minimum of 120 credits, with a minimum GPA of 2.0 or higher in major courses. Each major course must be passed with a C- or better. The program includes a combination of required and elective courses, as well as a capstone experience.

Required Courses

• GEOL1001C: First Year Seminar I: Geology and Paleontology (C- min)
• GEOL1002C: Earth Surface Processes and Environmental Issues (C- min)
• GEOL1003L: Physical Geology Laboratory (C- min)
• GEOL2005C: Geomorphology and Surface Hazards (C- min)
• GEOL2008C: Mineralogy (C- min)
• GEOL2100: Careers in the Geosciences (C- min)
• GEOL3000-level courses (9 credits)
• GEOL4000-level courses (6 credits)

Elective Courses

• BIOL1081: Biology I: Molecules, Cells, and the Foundation of Life (C- min)
• BIOL1081L: Biology I Laboratory (C- min)
• CHEM1040: General Chemistry I (C- min)
• CHEM1040L: General Chemistry Laboratory I (C- min)
• CHEM1041: General Chemistry II (C- min)
• CHEM1041L: General Chemistry Laboratory II (C- min)
• PHYS1051: General Physics I (Algebra-based) (C- min)
• PHYS1051L: General Physics Lab I (Algebra-based) (C- min)
• PHYS2001: College Physics I (Calculus-based) (C- min)
• PHYS2001L: College Physics Lab I (Calculus-based) (C- min)

Optional Co-op Plan

The Geology program offers an optional co-op plan, which allows students to gain hands-on experience in the field. Students who choose to participate in the co-op plan must complete two courses in the Fall Semester of Year 2:

• GEOL2100: Careers in the Geosciences (C- min)
• PD2066: Professionalism and Purpose for Natural Science (C- min)

Capstone Experience

The capstone experience is a 3-6 hour field camp or related field or laboratory experience that fulfills the Experiential Learning and Culminating Career Education Touchpoint.

Credit Hours

The minimum number of credit hours required for the program is 120. However, the actual number of credit hours may vary based on previously earned credits and/or the level of placement into required coursework.

Geology 4000-level Course Requirement

Two out of the three required courses must be from the list of approved GEOL 4000-level courses, which includes:

• GEOL4001C
• GEOL4002C
• GEOL4003
• GEOL4004
• GEOL4007
• GEOL4010C
• GEOL4012C
• GEOL4013
• GEOL4018C
• GEOL4024
• GEOL4025C
• GEOL4028
• GEOL4029
• GEOL4036
• GEOL4037
• GEOL4038
• GEOL4040
• GEOL4042
• GEOL4044
• GEOL4048C
• GEOL4049C
• GEOL4050C
• GEOL4051C
• GEOL4053C/4054C
• GEOL4056
• GEOL4058
• GEOL4059

Program Details

The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in geology and paleontology, as well as hands-on experience in field and laboratory settings. The program includes a combination of required and elective courses, as well as a capstone experience. The minimum number of credit hours required for the program is 120, and the actual number of credit hours may vary based on previously earned credits and/or the level of placement into required coursework.