At which campus can I study this program?
Entrance to Major
In addition to the minimum grade point average (GPA) requirements described in the University Policies, the Geosciences entrance-to-major requirement must also be completed with a minimum grade of C: MATH 140.
Degree Requirements
For the Bachelor of Science degree in Geosciences, a minimum of 121 credits is required:
Requirement | Credits |
---|---|
General Education | 45 |
Requirements for the Major | 97 |
21 of the 45 credits for General Education are included in the Requirements for the Major. This includes: 9 credits of GN courses, 6 credits of GQ courses, 6 credits of GWS courses.
General Education
Connecting career and curiosity, the General Education curriculum provides the opportunity for students to acquire transferable skills necessary to be successful in the future and to thrive while living in interconnected contexts. General Education aids students in developing intellectual curiosity, a strengthened ability to think, and a deeper sense of aesthetic appreciation. These are requirements for all baccalaureate students and are often partially incorporated into the requirements of a program. For additional information, see the General Education Requirements section of the Bulletin and consult your academic adviser.
The keystone symbol appears next to the title of any course that is designated as a General Education course. Program requirements may also satisfy General Education requirements and vary for each program.
Foundations (grade of C or better is required.)
- Quantification (GQ): 6 credits
- Writing and Speaking (GWS): 9 credits
Knowledge Domains
- Arts (GA): 6 credits
- Health and Wellness (GHW): 3 credits
- Humanities (GH): 6 credits
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 6 credits
- Natural Sciences (GN): 9 credits
Integrative Studies (may also complete a Knowledge Domain requirement)
- Inter-Domain or Approved Linked Courses: 6 credits
University Degree Requirements
First Year Engagement
All students enrolled in a college or the Division of Undergraduate Studies at University Park, and the World Campus are required to take 1 to 3 credits of the First-Year Seminar, as specified by their college First-Year Engagement Plan.
Other Penn State colleges and campuses may require the First-Year Seminar; colleges and campuses that do not require a First-Year Seminar provide students with a first-year engagement experience.
First-year baccalaureate students entering Penn State should consult their academic adviser for these requirements.
Cultures Requirement
6 credits are required and may satisfy other requirements
- United States Cultures: 3 credits
- International Cultures: 3 credits
Writing Across the Curriculum
3 credits required from the college of graduation and likely prescribed as part of major requirements.
Total Minimum Credits
A minimum of 120 degree credits must be earned for a baccalaureate degree. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 credits. Students should consult with their college or department adviser for information on specific credit requirements.
Quality of Work
Candidates must complete the degree requirements for their major and earn at least a 2.00 grade-point average for all courses completed within their degree program.
Limitations on Source and Time for Credit Acquisition
The college dean or campus chancellor and program faculty may require up to 24 credits of course work in the major to be taken at the location or in the college or program where the degree is earned. Credit used toward degree programs may need to be earned from a particular source or within time constraints (see Senate Policy 83-80). For more information, check the Suggested Academic Plan for your intended program.
Requirements for the Major
To graduate, a student enrolled in the major must earn a grade of C or better in each course designated by the major as a C-required course, as specified by Senate Policy 82-44.
Common Requirements for the Major (All Options)
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Prescribed Courses | ||
BIOL 110 | Biology: Basic Concepts and Biodiversity ![]() | 4 |
CHEM 110 | Chemical Principles I ![]() | 3 |
CHEM 111 | Experimental Chemistry I ![]() | 1 |
CHEM 112 | Chemical Principles II ![]() | 3 |
CHEM 113 | Experimental Chemistry II ![]() | 1 |
EMSC 100S | Earth and Mineral Sciences First-Year Seminar ![]() | 3 |
GEOSC 1 | Physical Geology 2 | 3 |
GEOSC 204 | Geobiology | 4 |
GEOSC 472A | Field Geology I (Introduction to Field Methods | 3 |
GEOSC 472B | Field Geology II (Advanced Field Methods) | 3 |
GEOSC 494W | Senior Thesis | 3 |
GEOSC 496 | Independent Studies | 1 |
MATH 141 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry II ![]() | 4 |
PHYS 211 | General Physics: Mechanics ![]() | 4 |
PHYS 213 | General Physics: Fluids and Thermal Physics ![]() | 2 |
Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
GEOSC 201 | Earth Materials | 4 |
GEOSC 202 | Chemical Processes in Geology | 4 |
GEOSC 203 | Physical Processes in Geology | 4 |
GEOSC 310 | Earth History | 4 |
GEOSC 465 | Structural Geology | 4 |
MATH 140 | Calculus With Analytic Geometry I ![]() | 4 |
Additional Courses | ||
ENGL 15 | Rhetoric and Composition ![]() | 3 |
or ENGL 30H | Honors Rhetoric and Composition ![]() | |
Requirements for the Option | ||
Select an option | 28 |
1 | The following substitutions are allowed for students attending campuses where the indicated course is not offered: CAS 100 or ENGL 202C can be substituted for EMSC 100S. |
2 |
Requirements for the Option
General Option (28 credits)
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Additional Courses | ||
Select 14 credits of the following 300- and 400-level GEOSC courses: | 14 | |
Introduction to Environmental Geology | ||
Geomorphology | ||
Natural Disasters | ||
Stable and Radioactive Isotopes in Geosciences: Introduction | ||
Vertebrate Paleontology | ||
Paleontology and Fossils | ||
Volcanology | ||
Principles of Stratigraphy | ||
Marine Geology | ||
Natural Resources: Origins, Economics and Environmental Impact | ||
Hydrogeology | ||
Geology of Oil and Gas | ||
Introduction to Field Geology | ||
Dynamics of the Earth | ||
Supporting Courses and Related Areas | ||
Select at least 2 credits in physics from approved departmental list | 2 | |
Select 3 credits of computer science, mathematics1, or statistics | 3 | |
Select 9 credits, in consultation with adviser, supportive of the student's interest (students may apply 6 credits of ROTC) | 9 |
1 | Above the level of MATH 141 |
Hydrogeology Option (28 credits)
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Prescribed Courses | ||
GEOSC 452 | Hydrogeology | 3 |
Additional Courses | ||
Select one of the following: | 3 | |
Programming for Engineers with C++ ![]() | ||
CMPSC 202 | ||
Introduction to Spreadsheets and Databases ![]() | ||
Introduction to Biostatistics ![]() | ||
Select one of the following: | 3 | |
Soil and Water Resource Management | ||
Wetland Conservation | ||
Introductory Soil Science ![]() | ||
Select 9 credits from options A and B, with at least 3 credits from A and 3 credits from B: | 9 | |
Option A | ||
Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry I | ||
Physical Chemistry - Thermodynamics | ||
Transformation of Pollutants in Soils | ||
Techniques in Environmental Geochemistry | ||
The Organic Geochemistry of Natural Waters and Sediments | ||
Option B | ||
Contaminant Hydrology | ||
Image Analysis | ||
Geomorphology | ||
Principles of Stratigraphy | ||
Geology of Oil and Gas | ||
Environmental Geophysics | ||
Supporting Courses and Related Areas | ||
Select at least 2 credits in Physics from approved departmental list | 2 | |
Select 8 credits, in consultation with advisor, supportive of the student's interest (students may apply 6 credits of ROTC) | 8 |
1 |
Integrated B.S in Geosciences and M.S. in Geosciences
Requirements for the Integrated B.S in Geosciences and M.S. in Geosciences can be found in the Graduate Bulletin.
Program Learning Objectives
- To produce graduates who possess a broad understanding of the origin and evolution of the Earth, including the geosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and atmosphere.
- To produce graduates who can apply knowledge of the mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology of Earth processes to the solution of geologic problems.
- To produce graduates who can interpret Earth’s history and dynamics by observing and measuring minerals, rocks, fluids, fossils, landforms, and structures.
- To produce graduates who possess the ability to pose questions, collect and interpret data, and solve geologic problems, communicating the results of this scientific inquiry through writing and speaking.
Academic Advising
The objectives of the university’s academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.
Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee’s unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.
READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY
University Park
Jacob Hoover
Undergraduate Program Coordinator
542 Deike Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-7791
undergrad@geosc.psu.edu
Suggested Academic Plan
The suggested academic plan(s) listed on this page are the plan(s) that are in effect during the 2020-21 academic year. To access previous years' suggested academic plans, please visit the archive to view the appropriate Undergraduate Bulletin edition (Note: the archive only contain suggested academic plans beginning with the 2018-19 edition of the Undergraduate Bulletin).
General Option: Geosciences, B.S. at University Park Campus
The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.
First Year | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
MATH 140 or 140G (GQ)*‡#† | 4 | MATH 141 or 141G (GQ)‡† | 4 | ||
CHEM 110 (GN)† | 3 | CHEM 112 | 3 | ||
CHEM 111 (GN)† | 1 | CHEM 113 | 1 | ||
GEOSC 1 | 3 | GEOSC 201* | 4 | ||
EMSC 100S (GWS)‡†1 | 3 | ENGL 15, 30H, or ESL 15 (GWS)‡† | 3 | ||
14 | 15 | ||||
Second Year | |||||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
PHYS 211 (GN)† | 4 | PHYS 212 or 213 and 214 | 4 | ||
GEOSC 202* | 4 | GEOSC 310* | 4 | ||
BIOL 110 (GN)† | 4 | General Education knowledge domain | 3 | ||
General Education knowledge domain | 3 | General Education Health and Wellness (GHW) | 1.5 | ||
General Education Health and Wellness (GHW) | 1.5 | Advanced MATH/CMPSC/STAT selection2 | 3 | ||
16.5 | 15.5 | ||||
Third Year | |||||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
GEOSC 203* | 4 | GEOSC 465* | 4 | GEOSC 472A | 3 |
Advanced GEOSC elective3 | 3 | GEOSC 204 | 4 | GEOSC 472B | 3 |
Supporting Course4 | 3 | Advanced GEOSC elective3 | 3 | ||
General Education knowledge domain | 3 | General Education knowledge domain3 | 3 | ||
13 | 14 | 6 | |||
Fourth Year | |||||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
GEOSC 496 | 1 | GEOSC 494W | 3 | ||
Advanced GEOSC elective3 | 3 | Advanced GEOSC elective3 | 2 | ||
Advanced GEOSC elective3 | 3 | Supporting Course4 | 3 | ||
Supporting Course4 | 3 | General Education knowledge domain | 3 | ||
General Education Foundation selection (GWS)‡ | 3 | General Education knowledge domain | 3 | ||
13 | 14 | ||||
Total Credits 121 |
* | Course requires a grade of C or better for the major |
‡ | Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education |
# | Course is an Entrance to Major requirement |
† | Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement |
University Requirements and General Education Notes:
US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy University Requirements (United States and International Cultures).
W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.
GWS, GQ, GHW, GN, GA, GH, and GS are abbreviations used to identify General Education program courses. General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ) and Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS, and Integrative Studies). Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of ‘C’ or better.
Integrative Studies courses are required for the General Education program. N is the suffix at the end of a course number used to designate an Inter-Domain course and Z is the suffix at the end of a course number used to designate a Linked course.
All incoming Schreyer Honors College first-year students at University Park will take ENGL 137H/CAS 137H in the fall semester and ENGL 138T/CAS 138T in the spring semester. These courses carry the GWS designation and replace both ENGL 30H and CAS 100. Each course is 3 credits.
1 | first year should substitute CAS 100 (GWS), CAS 100A, CAS 100B, or CAS 100C; or ENGL 202C (GWS) for EMSC 100S (GWS). EMSC 100S Earth and Mineral Sciences First year Seminar (3) is a required course only for students who begin their studies at UP in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. |
2 |
|
3 | Select 14 credits from 300- and 400-level GEOSC courses from GEOSC 303(3), GEOSC 340(3), GEOSC 402Y(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). |
4 | Select 9 credits supportive of student's interest, in consultation with an adviser (students may apply 6 credits of ROTC). |
General Option: Geosciences, B.S. at Commonwealth Campuses
The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.
First Year | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
MATH 140 (GQ)*‡#† | 4 | MATH 141 (GQ)†‡ | 4 | ||
CHEM 110 (GN)† | 3 | CHEM 112 | 3 | ||
CHEM 111 (GN)† | 1 | CHEM 113 | 1 | ||
ENGL 15, 30H, or ESL 15 (GWS)‡†1 | 3 | General Education Foundation selection (GWS)‡1 | 3 | ||
General Education knowledge domain | 3 | General Education knowledge domain | 3 | ||
14 | 14 | ||||
Second Year | |||||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
PHYS 211 (GN)† | 4 | PHYS 212 or 213 and 214 | 4 | ||
BIOL 110 (GN)† | 4 | Advanced MATH/CMPSC/STAT selection2 | 3 | ||
General Education knowledge domain | 3 | General Education Foundation selection (GWS)‡1 | 3 | ||
General Education knowledge domain | 3 | General Education knowledge domain | 3 | ||
General Education Health and Wellness (GHW) | 1.5 | General Education Health and Wellness (GHW) | 1.5 | ||
15.5 | 14.5 | ||||
Third Year | |||||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
GEOSC 1 or 20 | 3 | GEOSC 203* | 4 | GEOSC 472A | 3 |
GEOSC 201* | 4 | GEOSC 204 | 4 | GEOSC 472B | 3 |
Supporting Course4 | 3 | GEOSC 310* | 4 | ||
General Education knowledge domain | 3 | GEOSC 465* | 4 | ||
13 | 16 | 6 | |||
Fourth Year | |||||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
GEOSC 202* | 4 | GEOSC 494W | 3 | ||
GEOSC 496 | 1 | Advanced GEOSC elective3 | 2 | ||
Advanced GEOSC elective3 | 3 | Advanced GEOSC elective3 | 3 | ||
Advanced GEOSC elective3 | 3 | Advanced GEOSC elective3 | 3 | ||
Supporting Course4 | 3 | Supporting Course4 | 3 | ||
14 | 14 | ||||
Total Credits 121 |
* | Course requires a grade of C or better for the major |
‡ | Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education |
# | Course is an Entrance to Major requirement |
† | Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement |
University Requirements and General Education Notes:
US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy University Requirements (United States and International Cultures).
W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.
GWS, GQ, GHW, GN, GA, GH, and GS are abbreviations used to identify General Education program courses. General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ) and Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS, and Integrative Studies). Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of ‘C’ or better.
Integrative Studies courses are required for the General Education program. N is the suffix at the end of a course number used to designate an Inter-Domain course and Z is the suffix at the end of a course number used to designate a Linked course.
1 | first year should substitute CAS 100 (GWS), CAS 100A, CAS 100B, or CAS 100C; or ENGL 202C (GWS) for EMSC 100S (GWS). EMSC 100S Earth and Mineral Sciences First year Seminar (3) is a required course only for students who begin their studies at UP in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. |
2 |
|
3 | Select 14 credits from 300- and 400-level GEOSC courses from GEOSC 303(3), GEOSC 340(3), GEOSC 402Y(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). |
4 | Select 9 credits supportive of student's interest, in consultation with an adviser (students may apply 6 credits of ROTC). |
Hydrogeology Option: Geosciences, B.S. at University Park Campus
The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.
First Year | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
MATH 140 or 140G (GQ)*‡#† | 4 | MATH 141 or 141G (GQ)‡† | 4 | ||
CHEM 110 (GN)† | 3 | CHEM 112 | 3 | ||
CHEM 111 (GN)† | 1 | CHEM 113 | 1 | ||
GEOSC 1 | 3 | GEOSC 201* | 4 | ||
EMSC 100S (GWS)‡†1 | 3 | ENGL 15, 30H, or ESL 15 (GWS)‡† | 3 | ||
14 | 15 | ||||
Second Year | |||||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
PHYS 211 (GN)† | 4 | PHYS 212 or 213 and 214 | 4 | ||
BIOL 110 (GN)† | 4 | GEOSC 202* | 4 | ||
General Education knowledge domain | 3 | GEOSC 310* | 4 | ||
General Education Health and Wellness (GHW) | 1.5 | General Education knowledge domain | 3 | ||
General Education knowledge domain | 3 | General Education Health and Wellness (GHW) | 1.5 | ||
15.5 | 16.5 | ||||
Third Year | |||||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
GEOSC 203* | 4 | GEOSC 465* | 4 | GEOSC 472A | 3 |
GEOSC 452 | 3 | HYDRO Option elective2 | 3 | GEOSC 472B | 3 |
Supporting Course4 | 3 | CMPSC 201, CMPSC 202, CMPSC 203, STAT 250, or STAT 200 | 3-4 | ||
HYDRO Option elective2 | 3 | General Education knowledge domain3 | 3 | ||
13 | 13-14 | 6 | |||
Fourth Year | |||||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
GEOSC 496 | 1 | GEOSC 494W | 3 | ||
SOILS 101, ASM 327, or ERM 450 | 3 | GEOSC 204 | 4 | ||
HYDRO Option elective2 | 3 | Supporting Course3 | 2 | ||
Supporting Course3 | 3 | General Education knowledge domain | 3 | ||
General Education Foundation selection (GWS)‡ | 3 | General Education knowledge domain | 3 | ||
13 | 15 | ||||
Total Credits 121-122 |
* | Course requires a grade of C or better for the major |
‡ | Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education |
# | Course is an Entrance to Major requirement |
† | Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement |
University Requirements and General Education Notes:
US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy University Requirements (United States and International Cultures).
W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.
GWS, GQ, GHW, GN, GA, GH, and GS are abbreviations used to identify General Education program courses. General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ) and Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS, and Integrative Studies). Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of ‘C’ or better.
Integrative Studies courses are required for the General Education program. N is the suffix at the end of a course number used to designate an Inter-Domain course and Z is the suffix at the end of a course number used to designate a Linked course.
All incoming Schreyer Honors College first-year students at University Park will take ENGL 137H/CAS 137H in the fall semester and ENGL 138T/CAS 138T in the spring semester. These courses carry the GWS designation and replace both ENGL 30H and CAS 100. Each course is 3 credits.
1 | first year should substitute CAS 100 (GWS), CAS 100A, CAS 100B, or CAS 100C; or ENGL 202C (GWS) for EMSC 100S (GWS). EMSC 100S Earth and Mineral Sciences First year Seminar (3) is a required course only for students who begin their studies at UP in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. |
2 | Select 9 credits from A and B. Students must select at least 3 credits from A and 3 credits from B. A. CHEM 202(3), CHEM 450(3), ERM 433(3), GEOSC 413W(3), GEOSC 419(3) (Sem: 3-8) |
3 | Select 8 credits supportive of student's interest, in consultation with an adviser (students may apply 6 credits of ROTC). |
Hydrogeology Option: Geosciences, B.S. at Commonwealth Campuses
The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.
First Year | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
MATH 140 (GQ)*‡#† | 4 | MATH 141 (GQ)‡† | 4 | ||
CHEM 110 (GN)† | 3 | CHEM 112 | 3 | ||
CHEM 111 (GN)† | 1 | CHEM 113 | 1 | ||
ENGL 15, 30H, or ESL 15 (GWS)‡†1 | 3 | General Education knowledge domain | 3 | ||
General Education knowledge domain | 3 | General Education Foundation selection (GWS)‡1 | 3 | ||
14 | 14 | ||||
Second Year | |||||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
PHYS 211 (GN)† | 4 | PHYS 212 or 213 and 214 | 4 | ||
BIOL 110 (GN)† | 4 | General Education Foundation selection (GWS)‡1 | 3 | ||
General Education knowledge domain | 3 | General Education knowledge domain | 3 | ||
General Education knowledge domain | 3 | CMPSC 201, CMPSC 202, CMPSC 203, STAT 250, or STAT 200 | 3-4 | ||
General Education Health and Wellness (GHW) | 1.5 | General Education Health and Wellness (GHW) | 1.5 | ||
15.5 | 14.5-15.5 | ||||
Third Year | |||||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
GEOSC 1 | 3 | GEOSC 465* | 4 | GEOSC 472A | 3 |
GEOSC 201* | 4 | GEOSC 203* | 4 | GEOSC 472B | 3 |
Supporting Course3 | 3 | GEOSC 310* | 4 | ||
General Education knowledge domain | 3 | HYDRO Option elective2 | 3 | ||
13 | 15 | 6 | |||
Fourth Year | |||||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
GEOSC 452 | 3 | GEOSC 494W | 3 | ||
GEOSC 496 | 1 | GEOSC 204 | 4 | ||
GEOSC 202* | 4 | Supporting Course3 | 2 | ||
SOILS 101, ASM 327, or ERM 450 | 3 | Supporting Course3 | 3 | ||
HYDRO Option elective2 | 3 | HYDRO Option elective2 | 3 | ||
14 | 15 | ||||
Total Credits 121-122 |
* | Course requires a grade of C or better for the major |
‡ | Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education |
# | Course is an Entrance to Major requirement |
† | Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement |
University Requirements and General Education Notes:
US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy University Requirements (United States and International Cultures).
W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.
GWS, GQ, GHW, GN, GA, GH, and GS are abbreviations used to identify General Education program courses. General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ) and Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS, and Integrative Studies). Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of ‘C’ or better.
Integrative Studies courses are required for the General Education program. N is the suffix at the end of a course number used to designate an Inter-Domain course and Z is the suffix at the end of a course number used to designate a Linked course.
1 | first year should substitute CAS 100 (GWS), CAS 100A, CAS 100B, or CAS 100C; or ENGL 202C (GWS) for EMSC 100S (GWS). EMSC 100S Earth and Mineral Sciences First year Seminar (3) is a required course only for students who begin their studies at UP in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. |
2 | Select 9 credits from A and B. Students must select at least 3 credits from A and 3 credits from B. A. CHEM 202(3), CHEM 450(3), ERM 433(3), GEOSC 413W(3), GEOSC 419(3) (Sem: 3-8) B. ENVSE 408(3), GEOG 362(3), GEOSC 340(3), GEOSC 439(3), GEOSC 454(3), GEOSC 483(3) |
3 | Select 8 credits supportive of student's interest, in consultation with an adviser (students may apply 6 credits of ROTC). |
Career Paths
The versatile Geosciences degree provides a broad knowledge base that can be applied to professional careers in many industries, as well as graduate study in many Earth science-related disciplines.
Careers
Our degree offers a comprehensive background in traditional geology and is suitable for students who wish to work in the environmental or oil and gas industries, natural resource exploration, geothermal energy development, hydrogeology or geotechnical fields, or continue to graduate school. In the public sector, this degree is good preparation for future work in the National Park Service, the United States Geological Survey, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, and various state and local regulatory agencies.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT POTENTIAL CAREER OPTIONS FOR GRADUATES OF THE GEOSCIENCES PROGRAM
Opportunities for Graduate Studies
Graduates may be well suited to pursue graduate-level degrees in geophysics, geochemistry, mineralogy, paleontology, climate change modeling, oceanography, volcanology, environmental science, or other Earth science-related disciplines.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES FOR GRADUATE STUDIES
Professional Resources
Contact
University Park
DEPARTMENT OF GEOSCIENCES
503 Deike Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-6711
contact@geosc.psu.edu