Department of
Physics, Physical Sciences
& Geology

Geology

The Bachelor of Science degree in Geology is designed to provide the kind of comprehensive background required for students who wish to seek additional training in graduate and/or professional schools. A concentration in Applied Geology serves as professional preparation for employment as hydrologist, engineering geologist, and environmental geologist.

Bachelor of Science in Geology with a concentration in Applied Geology

Liberal Studies degree concentration in Earth Sciences

Bachelor of Science in Geology

Requirements

1. Complete University General Education requirements for a Bachelor of Science degree (51 units minimum).
2. Complete the following prerequisites to the major (24 units):
   1. MATH 1070 College Algebra (3 units) and MATH 1080 Trigonometry (3 units)
      [or MATH 1100 Precalculus (4 units) or MATH 1410 Calculus 1 (4 units) in place of MATH 1070]
   2. CHEM 1100 Principles of Chemistry I (5 units)
   3. PHYS 2100 Basic Physics I (5 units)
   4. GEOL 2100 Principles of Geology (3 units) and GEOL 2102 Principles of Geology Lab (1 unit)
   5. GEOL 2200 History of Earth and Life (3 units) and GEOL 2202 History of Earth and Life Laboratory (1 unit)
3. Complete the major of not less than 51 upper-division units as specified for the Bachelor of Science degree. Some of these units can be counted toward completion of the Applied Geology concentration.
4. Completion of a minor or a concentration is not required.

The Major (51 units)

1. Complete the following required courses (39 units):
   GEOL 3250/3252 Mineralogy, 4 units
   GEOL 3810 Hydrogeology, 4 units
   GEOL 4100/4102 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology, 4 units
   GEOL 4350 Geophysical Exploration, 4 units
   GEOL 4360/4362 Structural Geology, 4 units
   GEOL 4380/4382 Sedimentary Rocks and Depositional Environments, 4 units
   GEOL 4390 Paleontology and Stratigraphy, 4 units
   GEOL 4400 Applied Geology, 3 units
   GEOL 4402 Applied Geology Laboratory, 1 unit
   GEOL 4500 Field Geology (WP), 4 units
   GEOL 4700 Plate Tectonics, 3 units
2. Select a minimum of 12 units from the following electives. No more than two courses from list b. can be used to satisfy this requirement. Substitution of courses
   is permitted by approval of adviser.
   1. GEOL 3050/3053 Environmental Geology, 4 units
      GEOL 3600 Physical Oceanography, 3 units
      GEOL 3800/3802 Optical Minerology, 3 units
      GEOL 3900 Soil Geology: Application to Agriculture and Hydrogeology, 3 units
      GEOL 4810/4813 Development and Management of Water Resources, 4 units
      CHEM 1110 Principles of Chemistry II, 5 units
      PHYS 2110 Basic Physics II, 5 units
      MATH 1410 Calculus I, 4 units
      MATH 1420 Calculus II, 4 units
   2. GEOL 2300 Numerical Analysis of Geologic Data, 3 units
      GEOL 2500 Dinosaurs, 3 units
      GEOL 3500 Earthquakes and Volcanoes, 3 units
      GEOL 4000 Geologic Field Excursions, 2 units
      GEOG 4750 Geographic Information Systems, 3 units
      GEOG 4120 Geomorphology, 3 units
      CHEM 3100 Environmental Chemistry, 3 units

Applied Geology Concentration
(10 units)

Students wishing to have the Applied Geology Concentration may do so by completing at least three of the following courses to satisfy the elective course requirements of the BS degree.

GEOL 3050 Environmental Geology, 4 units
GEOL 4810 Development and Management of Water Resources, 4 units
GEOG 4750 Geographic Information Systems, 3 units
CHEM 3100 Environmental Chemistry, 3 units

Minor in Geology

Requirements (18 units)

1. Complete the following lower-division courses:
   GEOL 2100 Principles of Geology, 3 units
   GEOL 2102 Principles of Geology Lab, 1 unit
   GEOL 2200 History of Earth and Life, 3 units
   GEOL 2202 History of Earth and Life Lab, 1 unit
   
   Note: Equivalent substitution permitted with approval of minor adviser.
2. Complete upper-division Geology courses as approved by minor adviser, 10 units.

Liberal Studies Concentration in Earth Sciences
Please refer to the Liberal Studies section of the catalog.

Teaching Credentials
Students interested in a single subject teaching credential in the sciences must consult with their adviser about the subject matter competency requirements.

Learning Objectives
Geology majors will be able to:

• Demonstrate literacy in Earth’s processes.
• Classify, identify and interpret geologic materials.
• Produce and interpret geologic maps and cross-sections.
• Collect and interpret quantitative scientific data related to earth processes.
• Apply fundamentals of chemistry, physics, math and computer science to solving geologic problems.
• Effectively communicate scientific ideas and results verbally and in writing.
• Retrieve, assimilate and evaluate factual data.
• Use, formulate and test multiple working hypotheses based on the scientific method.
• Use keen observational skills in the laboratory.
• Use keen observational skills in the field.
• Visualize subsurface structures and processes in 3 dimensions.
• Demonstrate depth and breadth of knowledge in one or more advanced specialty fields (advanced electives).
• Recognize, appreciate and communicate scientific uncertainty.
• Conduct independent field work.
• Understand geologic time, evolution, and global processes (e.g., plate tectonics).
• Propose workable solutions to societal problems related to resource exploration and development, construction with the Earth, and environmental issues related to Earth processes.
• Use up-to-date concepts when teaching Earth Science in the classroom.

Click here for Course Descriptions