Undergraduate Program

Bachelors Degree

The Department offers two undergraduate degrees: B.S. in Geology and B.S. in Earth Science. Either degree will prepare you for careers or graduate study in the geosciences. Our undergraduate programs are designed with the conviction that, in an ever-changing and technologically-oriented industry and research environment, a student must have a strong geological background. As such, he/she needs a program that explores the fundamental geological processes, cultivates skills in integrative three-dimensional geological thinking, provides laboratory and field experience, and stimulates interest in the many subdisciplines of the geological sciences.

Within the B.S. in Geology (2009-2010) degree program, students may elect to follow any one of five emphases:

• General Geology [.pdf]
• Petroleum Geology [.pdf]
• Stratigraphy/Sedimentology [.pdf]
• Geochemistry/Mineralogy-Petrology [.pdf]
• Structural Geology/Tectonics [.pdf].

Within the B.S. in Earth Science (2009-2010) degree program, students may choose one of the following emphases:

• Geohydrology/Environmental Geology [.pdf]
• Engineering Geology [.pdf]
• Exploration Geophysics [.pdf]
• Marine Geology/Oceanography [.pdf].

Each degree and emphasis call for a different set of classes that will require a different number of total course units. Although there is a considerable amount of variability between these programs, they all share much of the same core curriculum of geology, math, and other science courses (i.e., chemistry, physics, and biology).

Minor in Geology

Many students with an interest in the planet Earth choose to earn a Minor in Geology. This Minor in Geology is available to any non-Geology major.
To earn the minor, you must declare it (can be done at a meeting with the undergraduate advisor). You must complete a total of 20 units in geology (GEOL) courses that must include: GEOL 102 (3 units), 104 (1 unit), 240 (4 units) and at least 9 additional units of upper division (300 or 400-level) GEOL courses approved in advance by the Undergraduate Advisor. That leaves 3 units that can either be upper or lower division.

For further information, please visit the links above and contact the Department Office or the Undergraduate Advisor.