BS in Geological Sciences

The BS in Geological Sciences is intended for students who wish to pursue graduate study in geology or entry level employment in a variety of fields, including geotechnical, hydrogeologic, and non-profit companies. The courses are more prescribed, and are intended to provide a strong foundation in the science.

Program Requirements and Policies

For the bachelor of science degree in Geological Sciences, a total of 13 courses are required.
The Chemistry and Physics courses must be taken with labs.
In addition to the course requirements below, the following are strongly recommended:
CHEM 2, PHY 2 or 12, MATH 21, MATH 34, research experience, and a six-week summer field camp.

Course Requirements - Class of 2024 and beyond

Students must complete the following 10 EOS courses:

EOS 1: Introduction to the Dynamic Earth w/Lab
EOS 2: Environmental Geology w/Lab
EOS 11: Mineralogy w/Lab
EOS 12: Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology w/Lab
EOS 22: Structural Geology
EOS 32: Geomorphology or EOS 115: Quaternary and Glacial Geology
EOS 38: Paleontology & Historical Geology or EOS 52: Paleoclimate
EOS 131: Groundwater or EOS 133: Field Methods in Hydrogeology
Two additional EOS courses.

Students must also complete the following 3 courses:

CHEM 1: Chemical Fundamentals w/Lab or CHEM 11: General Chemistry
PHY 1: Introduction to Physics I w/Lab or PHY 11: General Physics I w/Lab
MATH 32: Calculus I

Course Requirements - Classes of 2021, 2022, and 2023

Students intending to continue with Earth and ocean sciences after graduation should complete the following courses:

EOS 1: Introduction to the Dynamic Earth w/Lab or EOS 2: Environmental Geology w/Lab
EOS 11: Mineralogy w/Lab
EOS 22: Structural Geology

In addition, students must select a total of seven more courses from the following groups:

Three courses from the following:
- EOS 12: Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology w/Lab
- EOS 13: Isotope Geochemistry
- EOS 32: Geomorphology
- EOS 42: Sedimentology
- EOS 52: Paleoclimate
EOS 131: Groundwater or EOS 133: Field Methods in Hydrogeology
Three additional EOS or approved related fields courses.

In addition, students must complete

CHEM 1: Chemical Fundamentals w/Lab or CHEM 11: General Chemistry
PHY 1: Introduction to Physics I w/Lab or PHY 11: General Physics I w/Lab
One of the following courses: MATH 21 or 32, COMP 11, or BIO 132