Geology Major
Supporting Natural Science
CHEM 111/116 General Chemistry I/Lab 5 cr.
PHYS 121 Algebra-based Physics 1 or PHYS 131 Calculus-based Physics 5 cr.
SOIL 120 Introduction to Soil Science 3 cr.
MATH 166 Calculus I 4 cr. (Geology Option Only)
BIOL 150 General Biology or BIOL 160 General Biology Freshman Research Focus 3 cr. (Earth Sci. Option Only)
MATH 147 College Algebra & Trigonometry or MATH 149 Precalculus 4 cr. (Earth Sci. Option Only)
Quantitative Reasoning
Select 1 of the following:
MATH 226 Fundamentals of Statistics 3 cr.
CIDS Introduction to Data Scenario 3 cr.
GIS 365 Quantitative Analysis 3 cr.
ENVN 430 Water Quality Modelling 3 cr.
MATH 231 Biostatistics 3 cr.
MATH 167 Calculus II 4 cr.
Spatial Reasoning
GIS 250 Introduction to Geographic Information Science 3 cr.
Select 1 of the following:
GIS 351 Map Design 3 cr.
GIS 360 Theory and Methods 3 cr.
GIS 366 Field Methods 3 cr.
GIS 368 Digital Image Processing 3 cr.
ESM 333 Remote Sensing of Natural Resources 3 cr.
ESM 363 GIS Applications in Resource Management 3 cr.
GENG 235 Surveying 3 cr.
ART 131 Drawing I 3 cr.
Professional Practice
Select 1 of the following:
ESM 220 Environmental Sustainability 3 cr.
ESM 303 Environmental Policies and Administration 3 cr.
ESM 305 Environmental Impact Assessment 2 cr.
AGEC 445 Land Use and Sustainable Agriculture Law 3 cr.
AGEC 450 Natural Resource Economics
BLAW 265 Business Law 3 cr.
Regional Field Course **Participating in several Regional Trips is recommended/encouraged!**
Select 1 of the following:
GEOL 371 Regional Geology Field Trip 1 cr.
GEOL 372 Southwest Regional 1 cr.
GEOL 373 Northwest Regional 1 cr.
GEOL 374 Lake Superior Regional 1 cr.
GEOL 375 Appalachian Regional 1 cr.
GEOL 376 Southeast Regional 1 cr.
GEOL 377 Northeast Regional 1 cr.
Capstone Experience
Complete 1 of the following:
GEOL 900X Field Camp 3 cr.
GEOL 490 Internship 3 cr.
GEOL 490 Research Experience 3 cr.
GEOL 378/490 Study Abroad 3 cr.
Professional Development
GEOL 485 Senior Seminar 1 cr.
Geology Professional Development Plan (see adviser)
Geology Core Courses:
GEOL 101 Introductory Geology 3 cr.
GEOL 102 Introductory Geology Lab 1 cr.
GEOL 150 Geological Perspectives of Global Change 3 cr.
GEOL 230 Mineralogy 4 cr.
GEOL 326 Structural Geology 4 cr.
GEOL 362 Stratigraphy & Sedimentation 4 cr.
Geology Technical Courses:
Select 18 credits from the following:
GEOL 231 Petrology 4 cr.
GEOL 305 Planetary Geology 2 cr.
GEOL 327 Geomorphology & Glacial Geology 4 cr.
GEOL 328 Geochemistry 3 cr.
GEOL 441 Geophysics 4 cr.
GEOL 445 Hydrogeology 3 cr.
GEOL 450 Paleontology 4 cr.
ESM 360 Hydrology & water Quality 4 cr.
SOIL 250 Soil Profile Descriptions 2 cr.
SOIL 350 Soil Development, Geography, and Classifications 2 cr.
Directed Electives:
Select 11 Credits from the following designators:
GEOL, ESM, SOIL, GIS, BIOL, CHEM, PHYS, PED, ENVN, MATH, CIDS
Earth Science Core Courses:
GEOL 101 Introductory Geology 3 cr.
GEOL 102 Introductory Geology Lab 1 cr.
GEOL 150 Geological Perspectives of Global Change 3 cr.
GEOL 230 Mineralogy 4 cr.
GEOL 327 Geomorphology & Glacial Geology 4 cr.
ESM 360 Hydrology & Water Quality
GEOL 330 Meterology 2 cr. or GEOG 212 Weather & Climate 3 cr.
Select 1 of the following:
GEOL 326 Structural Geology 4 cr.
GEOL 362 Stratigraphy & Sedimentation 4 cr.
GEOL 445 Hydrogeology 3 cr.
GEOL 450 Paleontology 4 cr.
Earth Science Technical Courses:
Select 18 creidts from the following:
GEOL 115 Oceanography 3 cr.
GEOL 231 Petrology 4 cr.
GEOL 269 Environmental Geology
GEOL 305 Planetary Geology 2 cr.
GEOL 326 Structural Geology 4 cr.
GEOL 328 Geochemistry 3 cr.
GEOL 330 Meteorology 2 cr.
GEOL 362 Stratigraphy & Sedimentation 4 cr.
GEOL 441 Geophysics 4 cr.
GEOL 445 Hydrogeology 3 cr.
GEOL 450 Paleontology 4 cr.
ESM 412 Fate & Transport 4 cr.
ESM 413 Environmental Analysis 4 cr.
SOIL 250 Soil Profile Descriptions 2 cr.
SOIL 325 Hydric Soils and Wetland Environments 3 cr.
SOIL 350 Soil Development, Geography, and Classification 2 cr.
SOIL 440 Soil & Water Conservation 4 cr.
SOIL 460 Soil Physical Properties & Environmental Quality 3 cr.
GEOG 212 Weather & Climate 3 cr.
ENVN 330 Applied Engineering Hydrology 4 cr.
ENVN 430 Water Quality Monitoring 4 cr.
ENVN 435 Hydrologic Analysis and Design 4 cr.
PLSC 161 Introductory Plant Science 3 cr.
BIOL 103 Fundamentals of Biological Evolution 3 cr.
BIOL 210 General Botany 3 cr.
BIOL 230 General Zoology 3 cr.
BIOL 360 Ecology 3 cr.
Environmental Quality & Land Management:
Select 1 of the following:
ESM 151 Introduction to Land Use Theory & Practice 3 cr.
ESM 245 Foundations of Ecological Restoration 2 cr.
ESM 318 Resilience Planning for Natural Hazards 3 cr.
ESM 343 Foreset Restoration Management 3 cr.
ESM 345 Prairie Resoration and Fire Ecology 3 cr.
ESM 347 Restoration of Aquatic Systems 3 cr.
ESM 351 Planning for Sustainable Communities 3 cr.
Earth & Space Science & General Science Education - click here to learn more!
Geology Minor: 21 Total Credits
Required Courses
GEOL 101 Introduction to Geology 3 cr.
GEOL 102 Introduction to Geology Lab 1 cr.
GEOL 150 Geological Perspectives of Global Change 3 cr.
Directed Electives in Geology
Select a minimum of 14 credits from the 200, 300 or 400 level
