Geology, B.S.

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A Geology B.S. provides students scientific and technical skills via hands-on courses, field, and lab experiences to develop critical economic and environmental solutions for use in graduate programs and professional careers.

Degree Requirements

This degree requires 120 credits, 42 of which must be upper division.

University Studies Program

This degree requires that The University Studies Program 2015 requirements are met before graduation. Some of the courses required for this major fulfill USP requirements, but not all. Students should check their degree evaluations and consult with their assigned academic advisor to discuss their specific course plan.

C 1 - Communication 1 Credits: 3
C 2 - Communication 2 Credits: 3
C 3 - Communication 3 Credits: 3
Q - - Quantitative Reasoning Credits: 3
PN - - Physical and Natural World (1) Credits: 3
PN - - Physical and Natural World (2) Credits: 3
H - - Human Culture (1) Credits: 3
H - - Human Culture (2) Credits: 3
V - - U.S. & WY Constitution Credits: 3
FYS or USP Elective - - Any 3-credit hour of FYS or 3-credit hours of USP electives Credits: 3

Required Courses

Note: This program represents a minimum proficiency. Students are strongly advised to elect additional courses in geology.

One of the Following:

GEOL 1005 - Earth History Credits: 4
GEOL 1100 - Physical Geology Credits: 4
GEOL 1200 - Historical Geology Credits: 4
GEOL 1330 - Water, Dirt, and Earth’s Environment Credits: 4

And Each of the Following:

GEOL 2000 - Geochemical Cycles and the Earth System Credits: 4
GEOL 2005 - Introduction to Geophysics Credits: 4
OR
GEOL 3005 - Principles of Geophysics Credits: 4
GEOL 2010 - Mineralogy Credits: 4
GEOL 2020 - Introduction to Petrology Credits: 4
GEOL 2100 - Stratigraphy and Sedimentation Credits: 4
GIST 2310 - Intro to Geographic Information Systems Credits: 4
GEOL 4140 - Diversity Inclusion Geoscience Credits: 1
(OR 1 course with an ASD-Diversity or ASG-Global Awareness Attribute)
GEOL 4610 - Structural Geology and Tectonics Credits: 4
GEOL 4717 - Field Course in Geology Credits: 1‑8
(6 credits of offered field camp courses are required, to be taken in 1 of the last 2 summers on campus).
GEOL 4820 - Capstone Credits: 3

Geology Electives

Additional 22 credit hours in Geology courses at 2000-level and above:

Allied Math and Sciences Credits

CHEM 1020 - General Chemistry I Credits: 4
OR
CHEM 1050 - Advanced General Chemistry I Credits: 4
CHEM 1030 - General Chemistry II Credits: 4
OR
CHEM 1060 - Advanced General Chemistry II Credits: 4
PHYS 1110 - General Physics I Credits: 4
OR
PHYS 1210 - Engineering Physics I Credits: 4

Option A: Fundamental Math

GEOL 2120 - Quantitative GeoMethods Credits: 3
AND
MATH 2200 - Calculus I Credits: 4

Option B: Advanced Math

MATH 2200 - Calculus I Credits: 4
AND
MATH 2205 - Calculus II Credits: 4
OR
MATH 2250 - Elementary Linear Algebra Credits: 3
OR
GEOL 4250 - Mathematical Geosciences Credits: 3
OR
GEOL 4525 - Environmental Data Analysis Credits: 4

Additional Requirements/Program Information

Grades of C or better are required for all courses used to satisfy program requirements