Geology, B.S.

The geology curriculum gives students an understanding of Earth history, the processes that shape our dynamic planet, and a geologic perspective on how to make human interactions with the planet clean, safe, and sustainable. The Bachelor of Science degree is registered as a Licensure-Qualifying Geology Program with the New York State Education Department and is designed for those who wish to earn a graduate degree in geology or to immediately pursue a career in geology. Students in this degree program must complete 39-40 credits of required geology courses, four credits of a capstone experience, six credits of electives, and 23-24 credits of cognate sciences (typically a year of chemistry, calculus, and physics/biology).

Program Requirements

Required Courses: 39-40 Credits

GEOL 101 - Environmental Geology 1 and 3 Credit(s) (taken for 4 total credits: lecture & lab)
or
GEOL 103 - Physical Geology 1 or 3 Credit(s) (taken for 4 total credits: lecture & lab)
or
GEOL 125 - Earth Systems 1 and 3 Credit(s) (taken for 4 total credits: lecture & lab)
GEOL 200 - Historical Geology 1 and 3 Credit(s) (taken for 4 total credits: lecture & lab)
GEOL 201 - Field Methods in Geology 2 Credit(s)
GEOL 301 - Sedimentary Geology 1 and 3 Credit(s) (taken for 4 total credits: lecture & lab)
GEOL 302 - Principles of Paleontology 1 and 3 Credit(s) (taken for 4 total credits: lecture & lab)
GEOL 311 - Mineralogy & Optical Mineralogy 1 and 3 Credit(s) (taken for 4 total credits: lecture & lab)
GEOL 320 - Geochemistry 3 Credit(s)
GEOL 350 - Geomorphology 1 and 3 Credit(s) (taken for 4 total credits: lecture & lab)
GEOL 405 - Structural Geology 1 and 3 Credit(s) (taken for 4 total credits: lecture & lab)
GEOL 425 - Scientific Communication 3 Credit(s)
GEOL 445 - Igneous & Metamorphic Petrology 1 and 3 Credit(s) (taken for 4 total credits: lecture & lab)

Capstone Requirement: 4 Credits

one or more of the following

GEOL 480 - Geology Research 1-3 Credit(s) (taken for 4 total credits)
INTD 491 - Geology Internship (variable credits)
A preapproved geology field camp (generally 4-6 credits; offered by other institutions); see comprehensive list at https://www.usgs.gov/science-support/osqi/youth-education-science/survey-geoscience-field-camps

Electives: 6 Credits

two or more of the following for a minimum of six credits:

GEOL 306 - Geology of our National Parks 3 Credit(s)
GEOL 380 - Climate Change: Past & Present 3 Credit(s)
GEOL 407 - Geophysics 3 Credit(s)
GEOL 410 - Hydrogeology 1 and 2 Credit(s) (taken for 4 total credits: lecture & lab)
GEOL 440 - Economic Geology 3 Credit(s)
GEOL 452V - Regional Geology 3 Credit(s)

Cognate Requirements: 23-24 Credits

CHEM 105 - General Chemistry 1 1-3 Credit(s) (taken for 4 total credits: lecture & lab)
CHEM 106 - General Chemistry 2 1-3 Credit(s) (taken for 4 total credits: lecture & lab)
MATH 151 - Calculus I 4 Credit(s)
MATH 152 - Calculus II 4 Credit(s)
or
MATH 125 - Probability and Statistics I 3 Credit(s)
or
STAT 100 - Statistics 3 Credit(s)
PHYS 101 - College Physics I 4 Credit(s)
or
PHYS 103 - University Physics I 4 Credit(s)
PHYS 104 - University Physics II 4 Credit(s)
or
PHYS 202 - College Physics II 4 Credit(s)
or
BIOL 151 - Gen Bio: Cells & Genetics 4 Credit(s)
or
BIOL 152 - Gen Bio: Organisms & Ecology 4 Credit(s)

Grade Requirements

Minimum grade of 2.0 is required for all courses in the major and for cognates. Students may not S/P/U geology courses.