Jeffrey D. Keith, Chair
S-389 ESC, (801) 422-3918
College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences Advisement Center
N-179 ESC, (801) 422-6270
Admission to Degree Program
All degree programs in the Department of Geological Sciences are
open enrollment. However, special limitations apply for teaching
majors.
The Discipline
Geological sciences consist of a number of disciplines aimed at
understanding the Earth's origin and development and the
natural processes that have operated upon it and within it from
the time of formation of the solar system. With the development
of remote sensing technology and the exploration of the solar
system by spacecraft, geological sciences have become
increasingly important for understanding not only the Earth but
the moon, other planets and their moons, and small bodies that
orbit the sun.
Understanding the dynamic processes of Earth and other
planets is relevant to many societal needs, such as assessment and
forecasting of natural hazards, environmental change, and
discovery of energy and mineral resources. Some of the diverse
disciplines that can be studied in this department include general
geology, plate tectonics, geochemistry, geophysics, paleontology,
environmental geology, petroleum geology, hydrogeology,
paleoclimatology, and planetary geology.
Career Opportunities
Graduates have the opportunity to work both outdoors and in the
laboratory, pursuing careers in energy, mineral, and water
resources or in environmental evaluation with industry,
government, or consulting firms. The substantial preparation in
basic sciences and mathematics also leads to a broad spectrum of
teaching opportunities. Some scholarship money is available for
those who pursue a geological sciences degree as a prelaw track.
The most marketable terminal degree in geological sciences is the
MS. Starting salaries for this degree are often very competitive
with those of other disciplines.
Graduation Requirements
To receive a BYU bachelor's degree a student must complete, in
addition to all requirements for a specific major, the following
university requirements:
- The university core, consisting of requirements in general and
religious education. (See the University Core section of this
catalog for details. For a complete listing of courses that meet
university core requirements, see the current class schedule.)
- A minimum of 30 credit hours in residence
- A minimum of 120 credit hours
- A cumulative GPA of at least 2.0
Undergraduate Programs and Degrees
BA Earth and Space Science Education
BS Geology
Emphasis (optional):
Environmental Geology
Minors Geology
Geology Teaching
Students should see their college advisement center for help or
information concerning the undergraduate programs.
Graduate Programs and Degrees
MS Geology
For more information see the BYU 2006–2007
Graduate Catalog.
Global Geology Program
Each year the department provides opportunities for advanced
undergraduates and graduate students to examine rocks and
geological processes at some premier localities around the world.
These one- to two-week field trips allow students to do mentored
research projects and develop field expertise rarely available to
undergraduate students. Programs that are run every four to five
years include:
- Active volcanism of Hawaii
- Carbonate formation in Florida and the Bahamas
- Tectonism and plutonism in the northeast Appalachians.
Trips to more distant localities (e.g., Italy, Great Britain, Alaska) are
interspersed with these recurring trips. Scholarships are available
that greatly reduce the cost to students.
