Information for Geology Majors

PDFs

The Department of Geology offers programs leading to Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. Geology is one of the broadest of all sciences because of its dependence on fundamentals of biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics as applied to the study of the earth. As a result, undergraduate students are expected to obtain a broad background in the other sciences as well as a concentration in geology.

The Bachelor of Science degree program provides the student with a hands-on foundation in the fundamentals of geosciences. The Bachelor of Arts program is designed primarily for the liberal arts student who has an interest in the subject but who is not preparing for a career in the field, or for the pre-professional school student. A student who elects the B.A. program and decides to pursue the geology profession or attend graduate school will need at least physics and field geology in his/her program.

Requirements for the Bachelors of Science Degree in Geology

Geology courses (36 sem. Hours):

a) Introductory Sequence*:(4 sem. Hours)

1) One course chosen from GLY 2010, GLY 2030, GLY 2038, GLY 2040, GLY 2050, GLY 2100, and OCE 2001. 3 hours.

2)GLY 2000L. 1 hour.

* Transfer students who have taken GLY 2010Cand GLY 2100C or the equivalent will be deemed to have met the introductory sequence requirements. However, ALL students are strongly encouraged to take GLY 2000L, as this course will greatly facilitate success in the upper-level offerings.

b) Integrated Earth Science: 28 sem. Hours, all courses required.

· GLY 3311C (The Solid Earth: Petrology and Geochemistry) 4 hours.

· GLY 3402C (Plate Tectonics and Earth Structure) 4 hours.

· GLY 3552C (The Sedimentary Record) 4 hours.

· GLY 3720C (The Fluid Earth) 4 hours.

· GLY 4104C (Geologic Time) 4 hours.

· GLY 4554C (The Earth's Surface) 4 hours. [PR: GLY 3552]

· GLY 4822C (Fluid Earth 2: Hydrogeology) 4 hours. [PR: GLY 3720]

c) Tools of Geoscience: 12 sem. Hours.

· GLY 4866: Computational Geology (3 hours)

· GLY 4921: Geocommunications (3 hours)

and either:

· GLY 494XL: Practical and Applied Geology (6 hours required)

· A Geologic Mapping Course and/or Summer Research Experience, as defined and approved by the Department Undergraduate Committee. Non-traditional research experiences (i.e., NSF-supported Research Experiences for Undergraduates summer programs) are acceptable provided the student concurrently registers for six hours of Geologic Field Studies (GLY 4780) or appropriate Practical and Applied Geology (GLY 494XL) offerings to meet credit hour requirements, and their research supervisor provides the Undergraduate committee with an assessment of student activities during the program.

Supporting Courses for the BS Degree: 28 hours

· MAC 2281 and MAC 2282 (recommended) or MAC 2311 and MAC 2312

· BSC 2010 and 2010L, (4 hours)

· CHM 2045 and 2045L, CHM 2046 and 2046L (8 hours)

· PHY 2048 and 2048L and PHY 2049 and 2049L (recommended), or PHY 2053 and 2053L, and 2054 and 2054L.

Requirements for the Bachelors of Arts Degree in Geology

1) 38 sem. hours in Geology .

Required courses include the introductory requirement and Junior-level sequence (32 hours),

+ GLY 4866 and GLY 4921 (6 hours).

2) Supporting Courses for the B.A. Degree: 24 sem. hours

· CHM 2045 and 2045L, CHM 2046 and 2046L (8 hours)

· MAC 2233 and 2234, or MAC 2311 and 2312, or MAC 2281 and 2282 (8 hours)

· Two courses in biology or physics selected from the following: BSC 2010 and 2010L, BSC 2011 and 2011L, PHY 2053 and 2053L, PHY 2054 and 2054L, PHY 2048 and 2048L, PHY 2049 and 2049L

Liberal Arts Requirements

All students are required to complete the University's Liberal Arts Requirements.

Free Electives 19-25 sem. hrs.

The student will choose, in consultation with his/her Geology adviser, such courses in the natural sciences that support his/her major interest in the field of geology. Courses in computer programming and additional mathematics are of particular value. Those students who anticipate continuing for a doctorate in graduate school are encouraged to take a foreign language, preferably French, German, or Russian.

D and F grades earned in attempting to satisfy major requirements will be used in calculating the major GPA.

Geology Honors Program

The purpose of the Honors Program is to provide a select group of undergraduate Geology majors an opportunity to undertake an intensive, individualized research experience. The culmination of the program is the completion and presentation of an honor's thesis. To apply, interested students should contact the Geology undergraduate advisor during the second semester of the student's junior year. Admission to the program requires a GPA of 3.5 in the major and an overall GPA of 3.2.

Requirements for the Minor in Geology

16 credit hours are required, which must include the completion of the introductory sequence courses (4 hours) and any three 3000 or 4000 level courses which are part of the Geology Bachelors Degree programs (12 hours).

Teacher Education Programs

Prospective elementary and secondary school teachers desiring to teach science should include basic courses in Geology and related sciences as part of their curriculum.

State Mandated Common Prerequisites for Geology

Students wishing to transfer to USF should complete the A.A. degree at the community college. Some courses required for the major may also meet General Education Requirements thereby transferring maximum hours to the university. If students transfer without an A.A. degree and have fewer than 60 semester hours of acceptable credit, the students must meet the universityís entering freshman requirements including ACT or SAT test scores, GPA, and course requirements.

The transfer student should also be aware of the immunization, foreign language, and continuous enrollment policies of the university.

Students should complete the following prerequisite courses listed below at the lower level prior to entering the University. If these courses are not taken at the community college, they (or their equivalents) must be completed before the degree is granted. Unless stated otherwise, a grade of C is the minimum acceptable grade.

· CHM 1045/1045L General Chemistry I (with lab) or CHM 1040 & CHM 1041or CHM 1045C or CHM 1045E

· CHM 1046/1046L General Chemistry II (with lab) or CHM 1046C or CHM 1046E

· GLY 2010C Introduction to Physical Geology

· GLY 2100 History of the Earth and Life or other GLY course

· MAC 2311 Calculus I

· PHY 2048C General Physics and Laboratory I or PHY 2048/2048L

· PHY 2053C Physics

· PHY 2054C Physics

The choice of physics sequence depends on the area of geology specialization.