1. Nine and 1⁄2 departmental units:
- a. Geology 100 or 110, 105, 200, 215 (11⁄2), 380 (1⁄4), 381 (1⁄4), and 385 (1⁄2).
b. Four units from Geology 205, 210, 220, 230, 235, and 240.
2. Supporting courses (3 units):
- a. Mathematics 110 and Physics 101.
b. One chemistry course from 117, 220, 230, or 250.
3. Thesis.
4. Strongly recommended:
- a. proficiency in a spoken foreign language.
b. summer internship or field-intensive program incorporating aspects of geology.
5. In preparation for graduate study and professional work in geology, and in consultation with the major advisor,
students should elect additional courses in geology and mathematics. In addition, and depending on interests, students should elect additional courses in biology, chemistry, computer science, and physics.
6. Writing/Communication requirement: The department of geology strives to develop the communication skills of our students. We recognize that complete understanding of any discipline requires the ability to express that understanding in both oral and written form. Geology is a highly visual science; consequently, we also train students to design effective illustrations and figures to convey complex information. Our majors learn the skills necessary to compose oral presentations, which are typically accompanied by high-quality slides or computer-generated illustrations; in addition, they learn to write papers using conventions appropriate to geologic inquiry. Many students employ these skills to communicate research findings at professional conferences in the form of oral or poster presentations.
All 200- and 300-level courses include assignments fashioned to help students communicate professionally through oral presentations and written reports. Such skills are cultivated to a significant degree in our WL courses:
- 230: Sedimentology
235: Geomorphology
325: Tectonics
Our thesis requirement is designed to develop disciplinary expertise in communication. The following courses support the thesis requirement and are designated LW:
- 380 and 381: Departmental Seminar
385: Thesis Research
Environmental Geology Major (13 1⁄2 units)
1. Six and 1⁄2 departmental units:
- a. Geology 100 or 110, 200, 215 (11⁄2), 380 (1⁄4), 381 (1⁄4), and 385 (1⁄2).
b. Two from Geology 230, 235, 240.
2. Supporting courses (7 units):
- a. Two from Biology 121, 151, 206, or Geology 105.
b. One from Chemistry 117, 220, 230, 250, or Physics 101.
c. One from Biology 247, Mathematics 106 or 110.
d. Three from appropriate courses in environmental studies, economics, and political science; such courses must be chosen in consultation with the major advisor.
3. Thesis.
4. Strongly recommended:
a. Proficiency in a spoken foreign language.
b. Summer internship or field-intensive program incorporating aspects of environmental geology.
5. In preparation for graduate study and professional work in environmental geology, and in consultation with the major advisor, students should elect additional courses in geology and mathematics. In addition, and depending on interests, students should elect additional courses in biology, chemistry, computer science, physics, and public policy.
6. Writing/Communication requirement: See geology major.
Geology Minor (5 1⁄2 - 6 units)
1. Five and 1⁄2 or 6 departmental units:
- a. Geology 100 or 110 and 105.
b. Four units from 200-level courses. If Geology 215 is taken, a total of 3 1⁄2 units from 200-level geology courses will satisfy this requirement.
2. Declared minors in geology are invited to elect Geology 171 and are encouraged to participate in the spring field excursion.