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2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog
Geology B.S. (R) or (R, L)*
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The Geology Department offers training for students interested in the Earth - its processes, materials, history, environment, human interactions, and in earth science education. Students gain the knowledge and skills in the methods and reasoning needed for a professional career in geology, for graduate school, and for earth science education.
Students have a choice of three concentrations. The General Geology Concentration reflects the broad range of geology careers that includes field studies, minerals, stratigraphy, tectonics, earth history, and energy. The Engineering and Environmental Geosciences Concentration focuses on human interactions with the Earth and its consequences such as geologic hazards, rock mechanics, water, and soil and prepares students for careers in environmental geology. The Earth Science Concentration, in conjunction with coursework in the School of Teacher Education and Leadership, provides the scientific and practice knowledge needed for licensure in secondary Earth Science Education.
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REAL Curriculum
All concentrations - students fulfill the R area through examination of samples, maps, and field experience while using scientific and quantitative reasoning to solve geological problems from both theoretical and practical points of view.
In the General Geology and Engineering and Environmental Geosciences Concentrations, students fulfill the L area through classes requiring students to develop professional skills and to critically reflect on how their skills, abilities, and experiences apply in a profession. Skills include data presentation, oral and written communication, and working in collaborative situations. Students fulfill the A and E areas of REAL by selecting minors outside of the geology curriculum.
In the Earth Science Concentration, students fulfill the A and L areas through coursework in the School of Teacher Education and Leadership. Students fulfill the E area by selecting a minor outside of the geology curriculum.
REAL Foundational Requirements
Foundational Writing (3 credits)
Foundational Math (3 credits)
REAL Cornerstone Requirements
Writing Intensive (WI) Courses (6 credits)
Writing Intensive courses are denoted below with a (WI). Two writing intensive courses are required to graduate, with at least one at the 300- or 400-level.
General Education Requirements
General Education courses will be denoted below with a (GE). Students are required to take at least 30 credit hours of general education designated courses within their degree requirements. The Geology major includes 31-36 general education credits.
Major Requirements (74-80 credits)
Required Major Core Courses (28 credits)
Note(s):
* Students who have successfully completed GEOL 103 may not take GEOL 100 for credit. Students who have successfully completed GEOL 101 may not take GEOL 105 for credit.
Concentrations
(Majors must choose one of the three concentrations shown below). General Geology Concentration (R, L)
The General Geology Concentration is designed for students who wish a broad, traditional overview of geology as an academic discipline. Students are encouraged to use electives to gain competency in particular topics. The concentration is appropriate for students interested in pursuing graduate studies in geology. In order to receive a B.S. in Geology with the General Geology Concentration, students must complete the 28 credits of Geology Required Core Courses above and fulfill the additional Geology and related area requirements listed below.
Total required hours for the concentration (38-40 credits)
Additional Required Courses (23 credits)
Plus any three from the following:
Related Requirements (15-17 credits)
B.S. Requirements (8 credits)
Bachelor of Science students must take eight hours of physics courses.
Total Credits Needed for Degree (120)
(Includes Core Curriculum courses, required courses, and electives.) Engineering and Environmental Geosciences Concentration (R, L)
The Engineering and Environmental Geosciences concentration is designed for students wishing to emphasize the engineering and hydrological aspects of geology as they pertain to addressing practical problems in society. In order to receive a B.S. in Geology with the Engineering and Environmental Geosciences Concentration, students must complete the 28 credits of Geology Required Core Courses above and fulfill the additional Geology and related area requirements listed below.
Total required hours for the concentration (42-44 credits)
Required Courses (27 credits)
Related Requirements (15-17 credits)
B.S. Requirements (8 credits)
Bachelor of Science students must take eight hours of physics courses.
Total Credits Needed for Degree (120)
(Includes Core Curriculum courses, required courses, and electives.) Earth Sciences Concentration (R)
This concentration is primarily for students who desire to attain certification as a secondary school earth science teacher in Virginia. In order to receive a B.S. in Geology with the Earth Sciences Concentration, students must fulfill all Geology and related area requirements listed below, and must complete the 28 credits of Geology Required Core Courses above and fulfill all requirements in the Secondary Licensure Option in Earth Sciences. Please refer to the College of Education and Human Development, School of Teacher Education and Leadership for details.
Teaching Licensure (57-61 semester hours)
Additional Required Courses (8 credits)
Plus any one of the following:
Other Required Courses (6-7 credits)
An additional six to seven semester hours from the following:
Related Requirements (4 credits)
An additional four semester hours selected from the following: B.S. Requirements (8 credits)
Bachelor of Science students must take the following two courses: Education Courses (39-42 credits)
(See the Secondary Education page and contact the associate dean of the College of Education and Human Development for information concerning these courses.)
Total Credits Needed for Degree (120)
Additional Degree Requirements
To graduate with a major in geology, a student must attain an overall grade point average of 2.0 or higher in all courses in geology, and in the required courses in chemistry, mathematics, and geospatial science.
Open Credit Hours (23-46 credits)
These credits can be used to fulfill additional courses, majors, minors, and/or REAL Curriculum requirements, including Foundational Writing and Foundational Math.
Total Credits Needed for Degree 120
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