BS in Geological Sciences

The BS in Geological Sciences is intended for students who wish to pursue graduate study in geology or entry level employment in a variety of fields, including geotechnical, hydrogeologic, and non-profit companies. The courses are more prescribed, and are intended to provide a strong foundation in the science.

Program Requirements and Policies

For the bachelor of science degree in Geological Sciences, a total of 13 courses are required.
The Chemistry and Physics courses must be taken with labs.
In addition to the course requirements below, the following are strongly recommended:
CHEM 2, PHY 2 or 12, MATH 21, MATH 34, research experience, and a six-week summer field camp.

Course Requirements - Class of 2024 and beyond

Students must complete the following 10 ECS courses:

ECS 1: Introduction to the Dynamic Earth w/Lab
ECS 4: Environmental Geology w/Lab (previously ECS 2)
ECS 11: Mineralogy w/Lab
ECS 12: Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology w/Lab
ECS 22: Structural Geology
ECS 32: Geomorphology or ECS 115: Quaternary and Glacial Geology
ECS 38: Paleontology & Historical Geology or EOS 52: Paleoclimate
Three additional ECS courses.

Students must also complete the following 3 courses:

CHEM 1: Chemical Fundamentals w/Lab or CHEM 11: General Chemistry
PHY 1: Introduction to Physics I w/Lab or PHY 11: General Physics I w/Lab
MATH 32: Calculus I

Course Requirements - Classes of 2021, 2022, and 2023

Students intending to continue with Earth and ocean sciences after graduation should complete the following courses:

ECS 1: Introduction to the Dynamic Earth w/Lab or ECS 4: Environmental Geology w/Lab (previously ECS 2)
ECS 11: Mineralogy w/Lab
ECS 22: Structural Geology

In addition, students must select a total of seven more courses from the following groups:

Three courses from the following:
- ECS 12: Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology w/Lab
- ECS 13: Isotope Geochemistry
- ECS 32: Geomorphology
- ECS 42: Sedimentology
- ECS 52: Paleoclimate
ECS 131: Groundwater or ECS 133: Field Methods in Hydrogeology
Three additional ECS or approved related fields courses.

In addition, students must complete

CHEM 1: Chemical Fundamentals w/Lab or CHEM 11: General Chemistry
PHY 1: Introduction to Physics I w/Lab or PHY 11: General Physics I w/Lab
One of the following courses: MATH 21 or 32, COMP 11, or BIO 132