Geology (GEOL)

Geology Major

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 Option

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 Option

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 Meteorology 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 credits 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 and 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 Forest Restoration Management 3 cr.
    • ESM 345 Prairie Restoration and Fire Ecology 3 cr.
    • ESM 347 Restoration of Aquatic Systems 3 cr.
    • ESM 351 Planning for Sustainable Communities 3 cr.
Earth and Space Science and General Science Education

Earth and Space Science and General Science Education degree requirements.

Minor

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