Program Overview
Geology BS Program
The Department of Earth and Environmental Science provides students with the opportunity to study the Earth through a variety of traditional and environmental geology coursework. The faculty work closely with students to provide a combination of field-based experience and current laboratory and computational techniques.
Overview
Students in the Bachelor of Science in Geology acquire a solid foundation in the Earth and Environmental Sciences. The program delves into the physical, chemical, and biological processes of Earth, from the remote past to the distant future. Students learn how humans are impacted by and are impacting the planet, exploring climate change, energy resources, and natural planetary forces.
Career Opportunities
Career opportunities for geologists span industry and government, including environmental planning, mitigation of natural hazards, resource assessment, monitoring and management of water resources. The BS program prepares students for graduate study and careers in research, teaching, industry, or government, and thoroughly prepares students for professional licensure examinations.
Program Code and Campus Location
- Program Code: ST-GEOL-BS
- Campus Location: Main
Distinction in Major
To graduate with distinction in this major, a student must satisfy the following criteria:
- Achieve a 3.5 GPA in EES and Upper-Level Science Electives for the major
- No grade below C in the remaining courses required for the major
Senior Research Project
Students whose cumulative GPA is at least 3.25 at the end of the first semester of their junior year are eligible to undertake a senior research project. The project involves field or laboratory work in the summer between the junior and senior years and leads to the presentation of results at a departmental seminar.
Accelerated Programs
Accelerated programs provide a pathway for students to pursue both an undergraduate degree and an advanced degree in a shorter amount of time. Available accelerated programs for students in the BS in Geology include:
- BS in Geology / MEd in Middle Grades Education with a Concentration in Science
- BS in Geology / MEd in Middle Grades Education with a Concentration in Mathematics and Science
- BS in Geology / MEd in Secondary Education with a Concentration in Science Education
Bachelor of Science Requirements
Summary of Requirements for the Degree
- University Requirements (123 total credit hours)
- Students must complete all University requirements, including those listed below.
- All undergraduate students must complete at least two writing-intensive courses for a total of at least six credits at Temple as part of their major.
- The specific writing-intensive course options for this major are:
- EES 2096: Climate Change: Oceans To Atmosphere (S)
- EES 2097: Process Geomorphology (F)
- EES 4696: Vertebrate Paleontology and Taphonomy
- EES 4796: Soils and Paleosols
- EES 4896: Planetary Geology (Fall of even years)
- Students must complete the General Education (GenEd) requirements.
- Students who complete CST majors receive a waiver for 2 Science & Technology (GS) and 1 Quantitative Literacy (GQ) GenEd courses.
- Students must satisfy general Temple University residency requirements.
- College Requirements
- A minimum of 90 total credits within the College of Science & Technology (CST), the College of Liberal Arts (CLA), and/or the College of Engineering (ENG).
- A minimum of 45 of these credits must be upper-level (courses numbered 2000 and above).
- Complete a one-credit first-year or transfer seminar.
- Major Requirements for Bachelor of Science (69-74 credit hours)
- At least 9 courses required for the major must be completed at Temple.
- At least 6 courses from EES 2002+, BIOL 2112/2912, CHEM 2201 & 2203 / CHEM 2211 & 2213 / CHEM 2921 & 2923, MATH 2043/2943 must be completed at Temple.
- Course requirements include:
- Chemistry: Select one of the following sequences
- CHEM 1031 & CHEM 1033: General Chemistry I and General Chemistry Laboratory I
- CHEM 1951 & CHEM 1953: Honors General Chemical Science I and Honors Chemical Science Laboratory I (F)
- Mathematics:
- MATH 1041: Calculus I
- or MATH 1941: Honors Calculus I
- Physics: Select one of the following sequences
- PHYS 1061: Elementary Classical Physics I
- PHYS 1961: Honors Elementary Classical Physics I (F)
- PHYS 2021: General Physics I (F)
- PHYS 2921: Honors General Physics I (F)
- Science Foundation Electives (SFE): Select two of the following
- BIOL 1111: Introduction to Organismal Biology
- or BIOL 1911: Honors Introduction to Organismal Biology
- BIOL 1112: Introduction to Biomolecules, Cells and Genomes
- or BIOL 1912: Honors Introduction to Biomolecules, Cells and Genomes
- or BIOL 2112: Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology
- or BIOL 2912: Honors Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology
- Earth and Environmental Science:
- EES 2001: Physical Geology
- EES 2011: Mineralogy I (F)
- EES 2021: Sedimentary Environments
- EES 2022: Paleontology and Stratigraphy (Spring of even years)
- EES 3001: Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology (F)
- EES Field electives: 5-6 credits
- Two Upper-Level (2002+) Writing-Intensive EES electives
- Science Upper Level Electives (SUE): Select two of the following
- Chemistry: Select one of the following sequences
Suggested Academic Plan
The suggested academic plan for the Bachelor of Science in Geology is outlined over four years, including coursework in Earth and Environmental Science, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, and General Education requirements.
Accelerated Programs Details
Accelerated +1 programs allow students to complete both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in less time than the traditional route. For Geology BS students, potential accelerated programs include those in the College of Education and Human Development, such as Middle Grades Education MEd with Mathematics and Science concentration, Middle Grades Education MEd with Science concentration, and Secondary Education MEd with Science Education concentration.