Home > Academics > Geology
Geology
Welcome to the Geology Program.
Our program of study is designed to prepare you for a career as a practicing professional geologist or as an educator or scientist in a related field. The successful completion of this program will provide you with a sense of accomplishment and an exciting career.
Both general and advanced training is offered in most specializations in geology. The lower-division courses are designed to provide a strong foundation for those who major in geology as well as a stimulating introduction to earth science for the non-major. The 300-400-level courses provide training for professional geological work as well as preparation for postgraduate study.
Degree Requirements & Core Courses:
Bachelor of Science in GeologyCandidates for a B.S. Degree in Geology follow the curriculum outlined below. A minimum of 120 semester hours of credit is required for graduation, including a minimum of 40 semester hours of credit in 300-400 level course work with a 2.0 minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) overall and in the major.
Freshman Year:
First Term
- Chem 105 [P] - Principles of Chemistry I (GER)
- Engl 101 [W] - Introductory Writing (GER)*
- GenEd 110 [A] - World Civilizations I (GER)
- Geol 101 [P] or 102 [P] - Introduction to Geology or Physical Geology (GER)
- Math 107, if necessary - Elementary Functions
*: B or better required; if less than a B, Engl 402 is required.
Second Term
- Chem 106 [P] - Principles of Chemistry II (GER)
- ComSt 102 [C] - Public Speaking: Theory, Models, and Practice (GER)
- GenEd 111 [A] - World Civilizations II (GER)
- Math 140 [N] or 171 [N] - Mathematics for Life Scientists or Calculus I (GER)*
*: C or better required.
Sophomore Year:
First Term
- Geol 210 [P] - Earth's History and Evolution (GER)
- Geol 350 [M] - Mineralogy and Crystallography
- Geol 351 - Optical Mineralogy
- Phys 101 [P] or 201 [P] - General Physics I or Physics for Scientists and Engineers I (GER)
- Math 172, Cpt S 121, or Stat 412 - Calculus II, Program Design and Development, or Biometry
Second Term
- Arts & Humanities [H, G] - (GER)
- Biological Sciences [B] - (GER)
- Geol 356 - Igneous Petrology
- Phys 102 [P] or 202 [P] - General Physics II or Physics for Scientists and Engineers II (GER)
Summer Session
- Geol 307 [M] - Geology Field Camp
Junior Year:
First Term
- Arts & Humanities [H, G] or Social Sciences [S, K] - (GER)
- Geol 315 - Water and the Earth
- Geol 320 - Sedimentary Petrology and Sedimentation
- Intercultural [I, G, K] - (GER)
- Social Sciences [S, K] - (GER)
- Complete Writing Portfolio
Second Term
- Arts & Humanities [H, G], Intercultural [I, G, K], or Social Sciences [S, K] - (GER)
- Econ 102 [S] - (GER)
- Geol 340 [M] - Geologic Structures
- Geol 362 - Metamorphic Petrology
- Elective (may be selected from emphasis areas in geology, liberal arts, and sciences)
Summer Session
- Geol 308 [M] - Field Geology
Senior Year:
First Term
- Foreign Language, if necessary
- Electives (may be selected from emphasis areas in geology, liberal arts, and sciences)
Second Term
- Arts & Humanities [H, G], Intercultural [I, G, K], or Social Sciences [S, K] - (GER)
- Foreign Language, if necessary
- Electives (may be selected from emphasis areas in geology, liberal arts, and science)
- Tier III Course - (GER)
Preparation for Graduate Study:
As preparation for work toward an advanced degree in geology, a student should have completed, or plan to take without graduate credit, the following or their equivalents: Geol 102, 210, 308, 320, 340, 350, 355, 356, 362; one year of general physics; one year of general inorganic chemistry; mathematics through one semester of calculus.The M.S. is the professional working degree in Geology. Therefore, if you intend to become a practicing professional geologist, you should plan to attend graduate school. Your chances of acceptance into the graduate school at any university will be improved if you have an overall grade point average of 3.0 or above. Good grades in supporting science courses (math, chemistry, and physics) also increase your chances of acceptance. It should be pointed out that a B.S. in Geology is good training for many other careers ranging from education to business to agriculture.
Related Information:
- SEES Faculty List
- Geology Course Listing
- SEES Scholarships
- Just for Students (SEES)
- SEES Contact Info
- SEES Links/Resources
- WSU College of Sciences
- WSU Future Students: Academics
Back to top
