COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Arts in Geology offers a flexible curriculum designed to prepare students for careers in geology, earth science education, environmental management, and related fields, while also providing options for interdisciplinary study. The program’s lower-division requirements total 37 to 38 units and begin with an introductory geology lecture-lab combination, which can include courses such as Physical Geology, Natural Disasters, or Geology of Mexico. Students also take foundational courses in astronomy, biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics to build a broad scientific understanding that supports geological study. Specifically, courses include Introduction to Stars, Galaxies, and Cosmology with a lab, Biodiversity, Evolution and Ecology or Introduction to the Science of Biology, General Chemistry I, Calculus I for the Social and Life Sciences, and General Physics sequences. Historical Geology and its lab component provide further grounding in earth history.Upper-division coursework, totaling 26 units, focuses on more specialized geology and geoscience topics. Required courses include Elements of Meteorology, Sedimentology and Stratigraphy, Field Geology, Field Techniques, and Oceanography. Students then select six units from a range of advanced geology courses, such as Paleontology, Structural Geology and Tectonics, Volcanology, Surficial Processes, Geology of California, Geology and the Environment, or Geological Field Trip. In addition, students choose six units from related courses in anthropology, geography, environmental science, philosophy of science, writing, and professional or applied fields, allowing for interdisciplinary perspectives. Finally, students complete three to five additional upper-division geology courses with instructor permission to tailor their studies to specific interests or career goals. The total program requires 63 to 64 units, providing a balanced mix of scientific foundations, specialized geological knowledge, field experience, and interdisciplinary exposure that equips graduates for diverse career paths or further graduate study.