Geology is the study of the Earth, including its water and atmosphere, and its relationship to humans and other living things. Geology applies chemistry, physics, mathematics and biology to answer questions about the Earth. Geologists conduct studies in the field, in the laboratory using advanced analytical equipment, and in the office using specialized computer software. Geology is particularly focused on the Earth’s history, resources, hazards and resources including groundwater. Sub-disciplines of geology include economic geology, geochemistry, geologic hazards, geomorphology, hydrogeology, petrology, and tectonics. A B.S. in geology is preparation for a variety of career paths, including hazard assessment with government or private companies, ground and surface water monitoring and development, oil and gas, mining, and many other careers that draw on a background in the natural earth, including law, public policy, and public health; the program is also excellent preparation for graduate school.
Total Program Credits: 120
General Education Requirements: | 37 Credits | ||
ENGL 1010 | Introduction to Academic Writing CC | 3 | |
or | ENGH 1005 | Literacies and Composition Across Context CC (5) | |
ENGL 2010 | Intermediate Academic Writing CC | 3 | |
MATH 1210 | Calculus I QL | 4 | |
Complete one of the following: | 3 | ||
HIST 2700 | US History to 1877 AS (3) | ||
and | HIST 2710 | US History since 1877 AS (3) | |
HIST 1700 | American Civilization AS (3) | ||
HIST 1740 | US Economic History AS (3) | ||
POLS 1000 | American Heritage SS (3) | ||
POLS 1100 | American National Government AS (3) | ||
Complete the following: | |||
PHIL 205G | Ethics and Values IH | 3 | |
HLTH 1100 | Personal Health and Wellness TE (2) | ||
or | EXSC 1097 | Fitness for Life TE | 2 |
Distribution Courses | |||
BIOL 1010 | General Biology BB | 3 | |
GEO 1010 | Introduction to Geology PP | 3 | |
or | GEO 1030 | Natural Disasters and the Environment PP | |
or | GEO 1040 | The Dinosaurian World PP | |
or | GEO 1050 | Geology of National Parks PP | |
CHEM 1210 | Principles of Chemistry I PP | 4 | |
Humanities Distribution | 3 | ||
Fine Arts Distribution | 3 | ||
Social/Behavioral Science | 3 | ||
Discipline Core Requirements: | 83 Credits | ||
CHEM 1215 | Principles of Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 | |
CHEM 1220 | Principles of Chemistry II PP | 4 | |
CHEM 1225 | Principles of Chemistry II Laboratory | 1 | |
GEOG 3600 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 4 | |
GEO 1015 | Introduction to Geology Laboratory | 1 | |
GEO 1220 | Historical Geology | 3 | |
GEO 1225 | Historical Geology Laboratory | 1 | |
GEO 2500 | Introduction to Field Geology | 3 | |
GEO 3080 | Earth Materials WE | 3 | |
and | GEO 3085 | Earth Materials Laboratory | 1 |
GEO 3200 | Geologic Hazards | 4 | |
and | GEO 3205 | Geologic Hazards Laboratory (either hazards or geomorphology can be taken as core requirement) | |
or | GEO 3500 | Geomorphology WE | |
or | GEOG 3500 | Geomorphology WE | |
GEO 3700 | Structure and Tectonics | 4 | |
GEO 4500 | Sedimentary Geology WE | 4 | |
GEO 4790 | Hydrogeology (Recommended) | 4 | |
or | ENVT 3790 | Applied Hydrology WE | |
GEO 4600 | Field Experience | 6 | |
MATH 1220 | Calculus II | 5 | |
STAT 2040 | Principles of Statistics QL | 4 | |
GEO 480R | Earth Science Seminar (Must be taken twice) | 1 | |
PHYS 2210 | Physics for Scientists and Engineers I PP | 4 | |
PHYS 2220 | Physics for Scientists and Engineers II PP | 4 | |
Complete 22 credits from the following list (at least 12 credits must be Upper Division) | 22 | ||
BIOL 3800 | Conservation Biology (3) | ||
ENVT 2730 | Introduction to Soils (4) | ||
ENVT 3280 | Environmental Law (3) | ||
ENVT 3790 | Applied Hydrology WE (3) | ||
GEO 202R | Science Excursion (1) | ||
GEO 204R | Natural History Excursion BB (3) | ||
GEO 3000 | Environmental Geochemistry (3) | ||
GEO 3100 | Isotope Geochemistry (3) | ||
GEO 3105 | Isotope Geochemistry Laboratory (1) | ||
GEO 3200 | Geologic Hazards (4) | ||
and | GEO 3205 | Geologic Hazards Laboratory (1) (if not taken as core requirement) | |
GEO 3500 | Geomorphology WE (4) (if not taken as core requirement) | ||
or | GEOG 3500 | Geomorphology WE (3) | |
GEO 4080 | Petrology (3) | ||
and | GEO 4085 | Petrology Laboratory(1) | |
GEO 4510 | Paleontology (4) | ||
GEO 4790 | Hydrogeology (3) | ||
GEO 482R | Geologic Environmental Internship (1) | ||
GEO 489R | Student Research (1-4) | ||
GEOG 3400 | Environmental Remote Sensing (3) | ||
GEOG 3650 | Advanced Geographic Information Systems (4) | ||
GEOG 3700 | Wetland Studies (3) | ||
GEOG 3705 | Wetland Studies Laboratory (3) | ||
GEOG 4100 | Geospatial Field Methods (3) | ||
METO 1010 | Introduction to Meteorology PP (3) | ||
METO 1060 | Fundamentals of Weather Forecasting PP (3) | ||
METO 3100 | Climate and the Earth System (3) | ||
PHYS 2215 | Physics for Scientists and Engineers I Lab (1) | ||
PHYS 2225 | Physics for Scientists and Engineers II Lab (1) | ||
Or other department approved electives |
Graduation Requirements:
This graduation plan is a sample plan and is intended to be a guide. Your specific plan may differ based on your Math and English placement and/or transfer credits applied. You are encouraged to meet with an advisor and set up an individualized graduation plan in Wolverine Track.
Semester 1 | Course Title | Credit Hours |
ENGL 1010 | Introduction to Academic Writing CC | 3 |
GEO 1010 | Introduction to Geology PP | 3 |
GEO 1015 | Introduction to Geology Laboratory | 1 |
American Institutions | 3 | |
MATH 1210 | Calculus I QL | 4 |
Semester total: | 14 | |
Semester 2 | Course Title | Credit Hours |
GEO 1220 | Historical Geology | 3 |
GEO 1225 | Historical Geology Laboratory | 1 |
ENGL 2010 | Intermediate Academic Writing CC | 3 |
Fine Art | 3 | |
MATH 1220 | Calculus II | 4 |
Semester total: | 14 | |
Semester 3 | Course Title | Credit Hours |
CHEM 1210 | Principles of Chemistry I PP | 4 |
CHEM 1215 | Principles of Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 |
HLTH 1100 or EXSC 1097 | Personal Health and Wellness TE or Fitness for Life TE | 2 |
Geology Elective | 3 | |
BIOL 1010 | General Biology BB | 3 |
PHIL 205G | Ethics and Values IH GI | 3 |
Semester total: | 16 | |
Semester 4 | Course Title | Credit Hours |
GEO 2500 | Introduction to Field Geology | 3 |
CHEM 1220 | Principles of Chemistry II PP | 4 |
CHEM 1225 | Principles of Chemistry II Laboratory | 1 |
Geology Elective | 3 | |
PHYS 2210 | Physics for Scientists and Engineers I PP | 4 |
Semester total: | 15 | |
Semester 5 | Course Title | Credit Hours |
PHYS 2220 | Physics for Scientists and Engineers II PP | 4 |
GEO 3080 and 3085 | Earth Materials WE and Earth Materials Laboratory | 4 |
GEO 3200 and GEO 3205 or GEO 3500 or GEOG 3500 | Geologic Hazards and Geologic Hazards Laboratory or Geomorphology or Geomorphology | 4 |
Geology Elective | 4 | |
Semester total: | 16 | |
Semester 6 | Course Title | Credit Hours |
STAT 2040 | Principles of Statistics QL | 4 |
GEOG 3600 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 4 |
GEO 4790 | Hydrogeology | 4 |
GEO 480R | Earth Science Seminar | 0.5 |
Humanities | 3 | |
Semester total: | 15.5 | |
Semester 7 | Course Title | Credit Hours |
GEO 3700 | Structure and Tectonics | 4 |
Geology Elective | 4 | |
Geology Elective | 3 | |
Geology Elective | 3 | |
Semester total: | 14 | |
Semester 8 | Course Title | Credit Hours |
GEO 4500 | Sedimentary Geology WE | 4 |
Geology Elective | 1 | |
Social/Behavioral Science Course | 3 | |
GEO 480R | Earth Science Seminar | 0.5 |
GEO 4600 | Field Experience | 6 |
Semester total: | 15.5 | |
Degree total: | 120 |
The Earth Science department is in the College of Science. To find the most up-to-date information, including Program Learning Outcomes for degree programs offered by the Earth Science department, visit their website.
Program Learning Outcomes | |
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