Geology Major

All of the Following

• GEOL 190 - Evolution of Planet Earth and
  GEOL 190L
     (ideally taken before the end of sophomore year)
• GEOL 201 - Mineralogy and Geochemistry and
  GEOL 201L
    
• GEOL 215 - Paleontology of Marine Life and
  GEOL 215L
    
• GEOL 225 - Sedimentology and Surficial Processes and
  GEOL 225L
    
• GEOL 235 - Tectonics and Earth Structure and
  GEOL 235L
    
• Five (5) additional full-credit GEOL courses of which one can be at any level, at least 2 must be at the 300 level as listed below, at least 2 must be at the 400 level as listed below.

Two Additional Courses

Two full-credit courses in biology, chemistry, mathematics, or physics. 

Capstone Experience

The two required 400-level courses provide a capstone experience for the geology major, as all such courses involve a significant project that integrates hypothesis testing, data collection and/or analysis of existing data, literature review, and a final project that synthesizes this work. A senior thesis conducted with a geology faculty member as an adviser through GEOL 441  may count as one of the required 400–level courses and is required for all geology honors candidates. Students can initiate a senior research project of interest by speaking directly to a faculty member about ideas for a research project or by consulting with a faculty member about a project that might arise from a summer internship, a summer employment experience, or be based on research initiated in a geology course.

GPA Requirement

A GPA of 2.00 in the major is necessary for graduation. The ten full-credit courses that carry the highest grade are used to compute this average. A passing grade must be received in all courses counted toward the major.

Honors and High Honors

Students interested in pursuing honors can find the additional requirements on the Geology  department page.