COURSE CURRICULUM

Students earning the Bachelor of Science in Geology (BSG) degree must complete all University, College, and departmental requirements, including general education courses, major coursework, and additional credits to reach a minimum of 128 semester hours. The program is designed to provide a strong scientific and technical foundation in Earth systems, beginning with core courses such as The Dynamic Earth and Foundations of Earth Science, along with a choice of introductory geology topics including Earth through time, oceanography, hazardous Earth systems, or sustainable Earth. Students then progress into more advanced and specialized coursework such as mineralogy, igneous and metamorphic petrology, structural geology, sedimentology and stratigraphy, and field geology, which together develop a deep understanding of Earth materials, processes, and geological history. A significant portion of the degree is dedicated to geology electives, allowing students to tailor their studies or follow a concentration, with at least 12 credits required at the upper-division level. The program also emphasizes strong preparation in supporting sciences through ancillary coursework in mathematics, chemistry, physics, and quantitative methods, including options such as calculus, statistics, geochemistry, geophysics, and advanced chemistry or physics sequences. A minimum GPA of 2.0 in the major is required, and all GEO courses must be completed with a grade of C- or higher. Students must also complete at least 12 hours of upper-level geology courses on campus to satisfy residency requirements. Unlike some programs, the BSG degree does not require a minor. Overall, the curriculum is structured to prepare students for professional careers in geology, environmental consulting, energy and natural resources, or advanced graduate study in Earth and planetary sciences.