Major and Minor in Geology
The department seeks to make students more aware of the physical world around them and of its development througt time. The subject includes a study of the materials of which the Earth is made; of the physical processes which have formed the Earth, especially near the surface; of the history of the Earth and its organisms; and of the various techniques necessary to
investigate Earth processes and history.
Each introductory course is designed to cover a broad group of topics from a different perspective. Students may elect any of the 100-level courses. Fieldwork is an essential part of geologic training and is part of all our introductory courses, most other classes and most independent research projects.
Major Requirements
Thirteen courses are required for the major: GEOL 101 and 102 or 103; 202, 203,
204, and 205; MATH 101 and 102, or alternates approved by the adviser; a two-semester
sequence of CHEM (101/103-104) or PHYS (101-102); GEOL 403; and either
two advanced geology courses or one advanced geology course and an additional
upper-level course in biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, or computer science.
Additional courses in the allied sciences are strongly recommended and are required
by most graduate schools. A student who wishes to follow a career in geology should
plan to attend a summer field course, usually following the completion of the 200-
level courses.
All geology majors undertake a research project (GEOL 403) in the senior year. Most students complete a one-semester project in the fall semester; a two-semester project may be undertaken with approval of the department.
Minor Requirements
A minor in geology consists of two of the 100-level Geology courses, and any four of
the 200- or 300-level courses offered by the department.