BS in Geology: Environmental Geology Emphasis (76–79 hours*)

Increasing concern with environmental degradation and natural geologic hazards has led to a demand for geologists who are both well grounded in the fundamentals of the science of geology and specifically prepared to address environmental problems. This degree prepares students for careers either in the environmental services industry or government or for advanced studies.

Program Requirements    |    View MAP

1. No D credit is allowed in major courses.
2. Complete the following:
   GEOL 111 : Physical Geology. (4:3:2) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   GEOL 111 : Physical Geology. (4:3:2) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F, W
   DESCRIPTION:	Materials, structure, and surface features of the earth and the geologic processes involved in their development. Field trips and lab studies, use of aerial photos.
   
   
   GEOL 112 : Historical Geology. (4:3:2) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   GEOL 112 : Historical Geology. (4:3:2) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	W, Su
   PREREQUISITE:	Geol 111.
   DESCRIPTION:	Developmental history of the earth, its landforms, and life forms, emphasizing the North American continent. Field trips and lab studies.
   
   
   GEOL 210 : Field Studies. (3:0:9) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   GEOL 210 : Field Studies. (3:0:9) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F
   PREREQUISITE:	Geol 111, 112.
   DESCRIPTION:	Procedures in observing, collecting, and recording field data concerning properties of rock units.
   NOTE:	Contact Geological Sciences Department before April 15 for dates of upcoming August trip.
   
   
   GEOL 230 : Geological Communications. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   GEOL 230 : Geological Communications. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F, Su
   PREREQUISITE:	Geol 111; 210 or concurrent enrollment.
   DESCRIPTION:	Introduction to writing within the discipline and designing and creating publishable geologic maps and illustrations. Tools include ArcGIS, Adobe Illustrator, and Photoshop. Online portfolio initiated.
   
   
   GEOL 351 : Mineralogy. (4:2:4) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   GEOL 351 : Mineralogy. (4:2:4) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F
   PREREQUISITE:	Math 112; Chem 105 or 111 or concurrent enrollment.
   DESCRIPTION:	Principles of crystallography and crystal chemistry. Physical, chemical, and crystallographic properties of minerals.
   
   
   GEOL 352 : Petrology. (3:3:2) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   GEOL 352 : Petrology. (3:3:2) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	W
   PREREQUISITE:	Geol 210, 351, Chem 105 or 111.
   DESCRIPTION:	Compositions, fabrics, and field relations of igneous and metamorphic rocks; behavior of rock-forming systems. Field trips.
   
   
   GEOL 370 : Sedimentology and Stratigraphy. (3:3:3) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   GEOL 370 : Sedimentology and Stratigraphy. (3:3:3) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	W
   PREREQUISITE:	Geol 111, 112.
   DESCRIPTION:	Erosion; sediment entrainment, transport, and deposition; depositional systems and facies analysis; principles of stratigraphy. Field trips.
   
   
   GEOL 375 : Structural Geology. (3:3:2) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   GEOL 375 : Structural Geology. (3:3:2) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F
   PREREQUISITE:	Geol 111, 112, 351, 352; Phscs 121 or concurrent enrollment.
   DESCRIPTION:	Geometric, kinematic, and dynamic analysis of tectonic features. Practical exercises. Using aerial photos. Field trips.
   
   
   GEOL 410 : Geological Field Methods. (6:0:46) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   GEOL 410 : Geological Field Methods. (6:0:46) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	Sp
   PREREQUISITE:	Geol 352, 370, 375.
   DESCRIPTION:	Methods used to observe, collect, and interpret field data in geologic and environmental investigations.
   NOTE:	Fee.
   
   
   GEOL 435 : Introduction to Groundwater. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   GEOL 435 : Introduction to Groundwater. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F
   PREREQUISITE:	Geol 111 or 330; Math 110 or equivalent.
   DESCRIPTION:	Introduction to the occurrence, movement, and properties of subsurface water; surface and groundwater relationships.
   
   
   GEOL 445 : Geochemistry. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   GEOL 445 : Geochemistry. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	W
   PREREQUISITE:	Chem 106, 107; or 112; Geol 352.
   DESCRIPTION:	Applying elementary chemical principles to understand geologic processes and materials.
   
   
   GEOL 446 : Applied Geochemical Studies. (3:2:2) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   GEOL 446 : Applied Geochemical Studies. (3:2:2) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F
   PREREQUISITE:	Geol 445.
   DESCRIPTION:	Applied problem solving through development of geochemical modes. Using mass balance, equilibrium thermodynamics, and kinetic processes to understand environmental systems.
   
   
3. Complete two hours (four enrollments) of the following:
   GEOL 491R : Geology Seminar. (.5:1:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   GEOL 491R : Geology Seminar. (.5:1:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F, W
   DESCRIPTION:	Seminar on various geologic topics by guest speakers.
   
   
4. Complete two courses from the following:
   CE EN 351 : Environmental Engineering. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   CE EN 351 : Environmental Engineering. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	W, Su even years; F, Sp odd years.
   PREREQUISITE:	Chem 105, Stat 221.
   DESCRIPTION:	Environmental concerns, problems, and evaluation methodology; pollution control and engineering management approaches.
   
   
   GEOL 411 : Geomorphology and Remote Sensing. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   GEOL 411 : Geomorphology and Remote Sensing. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F
   PREREQUISITE:	Geol 111.
   DESCRIPTION:	Interpretive analysis of landforms and their geologic significance. Use of aerial/satellite images of Earth and other planets, topographic/bathymetric maps, multi-wavelength image data. Field trips.
   
   
   GEOL 440 : Solid Earth Geophysics. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   GEOL 440 : Solid Earth Geophysics. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	W
   PREREQUISITE:	Phscs 123.
   DESCRIPTION:	Physics of the earth, including earthquake seismology. Gravity, seismic, magnetic, electrical, and heat flow properties and methods.
   
   
   GEOL 535 : Contaminant Hydrogeology. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   GEOL 535 : Contaminant Hydrogeology. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	W
   PREREQUISITE:	Geology 435 or equivalent.
   DESCRIPTION:	Principles, tools, and applications used to solve heavy metal, organic, and radionuclide groundwater contamination problems. Topics include regulations, mass transport, multiphase flow, transformation, retardation, and attenuation.
   
   
   PWS 303 : Soils Conservation and Resources. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   PWS 303 : Soils Conservation and Resources. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F
   PREREQUISITE:	PWS 100 or equivalent; PWS 282, Chem 105 (or 101), Math 110 or equivalent.
   RECOMMENDED:	Geol 111.
   DESCRIPTION:	Taxonomy of world soils; conservation and management of agricultural, wildland, wetland, and urban soils.
   
   
5. Complete the following:
   ENGL 316 : Technical Communication. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   ENGL 316 : Technical Communication. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F, W, Sp, Su; Honors also.
   PREREQUISITE:	Engl 150 or equivalent; junior or senior status.
   DESCRIPTION:	Effective processes of written, oral, and visual technical communication, including collaborative processes. Writing for academic and professional audiences.
   NOTE:	Carries GE Advanced Written and Oral Communication credit.
   
   
   MATH 112 : Calculus 1. (4:5:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   MATH 112 : Calculus 1. (4:5:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F, W, Sp, Su
   PREREQUISITE:	Math 110 and 111 or equivalent.
   DESCRIPTION:	Differential and integral calculus: limits; continuity; the derivative and applications; extrema; the definite integral; fundamental theorem of calculus; L'Hopital's rule.
   NOTE:	Honors also.
   
             : Honors Calculus 1.
   
   
   MATH 113 : Calculus 2. (4:5:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   MATH 113 : Calculus 2. (4:5:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F, W, Sp, Su
   PREREQUISITE:	Math 112 or equivalent.
   DESCRIPTION:	Techniques and applications of integration; sequences, series, convergence tests, power series; parametric equations; polar coordinates.
   NOTE:	Honors also.
   
   
   PHSCS 105 : Introductory Applied Physics. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   PHSCS 105 : Introductory Applied Physics. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F, W, Sp
   PREREQUISITE:	High school algebra and trigonometry.
   RECOMMENDED:	Concurrent enrollment in Phscs 107.
   DESCRIPTION:	Applied physics course not requiring calculus. Topics include mechanics, heat, wave motion, sound.
   
   
   PHSCS 106 : Introductory Applied Physics. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   PHSCS 106 : Introductory Applied Physics. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F, W, Su
   PREREQUISITE:	Phscs 105 or equivalent.
   RECOMMENDED:	Concurrent enrollment in Phscs 108.
   DESCRIPTION:	Continuation of Phscs 105. Topics include electricity and magnetism, atomic and nuclear physics, and optics.
   
   
   STAT 221 : Principles of Statistics. (3:3:2) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   STAT 221 : Principles of Statistics. (3:3:2) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F, W, Sp, Su; Independent Study also; Honors also.
   PREREQUISITE:	Math 110 or equivalent.
   DESCRIPTION:	Stemplots, boxplots, histograms, scatterplots; central tendency, variability; confidence intervals and hypothesis testing involving one and two means and proportions; contingency tables, simple linear regression.
   
             : Honors Principles of Statistics.
   
   
6. Complete one of the following options:
   Either
   CHEM 105 : General College Chemistry. (4:5:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   CHEM 105 : General College Chemistry. (4:5:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F, W, Sp, Su
   PREREQUISITE:	Math 110 (or equivalent) or concurrent enrollment.
   DESCRIPTION:	Atomic and molecular structure including bonding and periodic properties of the elements; reaction energetics, electrochemistry, acids and bases, inorganic and organic chemistry.
   NOTE:	Primarily for students in engineering and biological sciences. Three lectures and two recitation sections per week.
   
   
   CHEM 106 : General College Chemistry. (3:4:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   CHEM 106 : General College Chemistry. (3:4:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F, W, Su
   PREREQUISITE:	Chem 105 or equivalent.
   DESCRIPTION:	Continuation of Chem 105 but covering most of the topics in a more quantitative way. Detailed treatment of thermodynamics and equilibria.
   NOTE:	Three lectures and one recitation section per week.
   
   
   CHEM 107 : General College Chemistry Laboratory. (1:0:3) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   CHEM 107 : General College Chemistry Laboratory. (1:0:3) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F, W, Sp, Su
   PREREQUISITE:	Chem 106 or concurrent enrollment.
   DESCRIPTION:	Chemical properties, chemical reactions, collection and interpretation of data, preparation of reports.
   NOTE:	Required for most students needing one year of general chemistry.
   
   
   Or
   CHEM 111 : Principles of Chemistry. (3:3:1) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   CHEM 111 : Principles of Chemistry. (3:3:1) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F
   PREREQUISITE:	Math 110 (or equivalent) or concurrent enrollment.
   RECOMMENDED:	High school chemistry, physics, and introductory calculus or concurrent enrollment in Math 112.
   DESCRIPTION:	Stoichiometry, kinetic-molecular theory, thermodynamics, states of matter, solutions and equilibria, electrochemistry, structure and bonding, chemical reactions, kinetics.
   NOTE:	Tutorial included.
   
             : Honors Principles of Chemistry.
   
   
   CHEM 112 : Principles of Chemistry. (3:3:2) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   CHEM 112 : Principles of Chemistry. (3:3:2) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	W
   PREREQUISITE:	Chem 111 or equivalent.
   DESCRIPTION:	Continuation of Chem 111.
   NOTE:	Tutorial included.
   
   

*Hours include courses that may fulfill university core requirements.

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