ARCHIVED FILE
Begin Date: Summer 2002
End Date: Spring 2005
University Park, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (GSCBS)
PROFESSOR DAVID M. BICE, Associate Head for Undergraduate Programs
The geosciences are concerned with understanding earth processes and the evolutionary history of the Earth. Geoscientists work to discover and develop natural resources such as groundwater, metals, and energy sources; to solve technology-generated environmental problems such as acid mine drainage and waste disposal; to predict geological events, such as the occurrence of earthquakes and volcanism; and to solve fundamental questions concerning the origin and evolution of Earth and life. Our degree programs stress data collection; investigation, analysis and synthesis of information related to complex natural problems; and rigor of thought and clarity of oral and written expression. The B.S. provides a broad foundation in the physical and natural sciences for students who seek immediate employment or post-graduate education in several areas of the geosciences. Examples of careers include the petroleum and mining industries; local or federal resource management; water resources, treatment and management; energy and environmental industries; and academia. A senior thesis involving independent research is required of all students.
For the B.S. degree in Geosciences, a minimum of 121 credits is required.
GENERAL OPTION: This option is designed to provide sufficient flexibility so that the student has the opportunity to prepare for graduate school by focusing on specialized areas in the geosciences. The option's flexibility also permits students to develop a broad background in the geosciences in preparation for post-graduate majors that require breadth, such as environmental law.
HYDROGEOLOGY OPTION: This option helps prepare the student for entry-level positions in environmental agencies and firms where a specialized knowledge of groundwater and related areas is required. The option is also appropriate for students wishing to pursue an advanced degree in the area of hydrogeology.
Scheduling Recommendation by Semester Standing given like (Sem:1-2)
GENERAL EDUCATION: 45 credits
(21 of these 45 credits are included in the REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR)
(See description of General Education in front of Bulletin.)
FIRST-YEAR SEMINAR:
(Included in REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR)
INTERCULTURAL AND INTERNATIONAL COMPETENCE:
(Included in GENERAL EDUCATION course selection)
WRITING ACROSS THE CURRICULUM:
(Included in REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR)
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR: 97 credits
(This includes 21 credits of General Education courses: 9 credits of GN courses, 6 credits of GQ courses, 6 credits of GWS courses.)
COMMON REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR (ALL OPTIONS): 69 credits
PRESCRIBED COURSES (66 credits)
BIOL 110 GN(4), EM SC 100S GWS(3)[71], MATH 140
GQ(4), MATH 141 GQ(4) (Sem: 1-2)
CHEM 012 GN(3), CHEM 013 GN(3), CHEM 014 GN(1), CHEM 015 GN(1), PHYS 211 GN(4),
PHYS 213 GN(2) (Sem: 1-4)
GEOSC 001(3) [if GEOSC 001 is not available, GEOSC 020 GN(3) may be substituted] (Sem: 1-6)
GEOSC 201(4)[1], GEOSC 202(4)[1],
GEOSC 204(4) (Sem: 3-6)
GEOSC 203(4)[1], GEOSC 310(4)[1], GEOSC 465(4)[1], GEOSC 472A(3), GEOSC 472B(3) (Sem: 5-6)
GEOSC 494W(3), GEOSC 496(1) (Sem: 7-8)
ADDITIONAL COURSES (3 credits)
ENGL 015 GWS(3) or ENGL 030 GWS(3) (Sem: 1-2)
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE OPTION: 28 credits
GENERAL OPTION: 28 credits
ADDITIONAL COURSES (14 credits)
Select 14 credits from 300- and 400-level GEOSC courses: GEOSC 303(3), GEOSC
340(3), GEOSC 402(3), GEOSC 416(3), GEOSC 421(3), GEOSC 422(3), GEOSC 423(4),
GEOSC 424(3), GEOSC 426(3), GEOSC 434(3), GEOSC 439(3), GEOSC 440(3), GEOSC
451(3), GEOSC 452(3), GEOSC 454(3), GEOSC 461(3), GEOSC 470W(3), GEOSC 471(3),
GEOSC 489(4) (Sem: 5-8)
SUPPORTING COURSES AND RELATED AREAS (14 credits)
Select at least 2 credits in physics from approved departmental list (Sem: 1-4)
Select 3 credits of computer science, mathematics [above the level of MATH
141 GQ(4)], or statistics (Sem: 3-6)
Select 9 credits, in consultation with adviser, supportive of the student's
interest (Students may apply 6 credits of ROTC.) (Sem: 3-8)
HYDROGEOLOGY OPTION: 28 credits
PRESCRIBED COURSE (3 credits)
GEOSC 452(3) (Sem: 5-8)
ADDITIONAL COURSES (15 credits)
Select 3 credits from CMPSC 201C GQ(3), CMPSC 201F GQ(3), CMPSC 203 GQ(4), or
STAT 250 GQ(3) [if STAT 250 is not available, STAT 200 GQ(4) may be substituted]
(Sem: 3-8)
Select 3 credits from SOILS 101 GN(3), SOILS 415(3), or A S M 327(3) (Sem: 5-8)
Select 9 credits from A and B. Students must select at least 3 credits from
A and 3 credits from B.
A. CHEM 034(3), CHEM 451(3), GEOSC 412(3), GEOSC 419(3), or GEOSC 457(3) (Sem:
3-8)
B. GEOSC 340(3), GEOSC 439(3), GEOSC 454(3), GEOSC 484(3), or GEOG 352(3) (Sem:
5-8)
SUPPORTING COURSES AND RELATED AREAS (10 credits)
Select at least 2 credits in physics from approved departmental list (Sem: 1-4)
Select 8 credits, in consultation with advisor, supportive of the student's
interest. (Students may apply 6 credits of ROTC) (Sem: 3-8)
[1] A student enrolled in this major must receive a grade of C or better, as specified in Senate Policy 82-44.
[71] The following substitutions are allowed for
students attending campuses where the indicated course is not offered: CAS 100
GWS or ENGL 202C GWS can be substituted for EM SC 100S GWS.
Last Revised by the Department: Summer Session 2002
Blue Sheet Item #: 30-04-026
Review Date: 03/11/05
Department Head Changed: 4/12/05
EM