Major in Geology
Geology is the study of past and present processes shaping the Earth’s surface, atmosphere, and interior. Geologists are responsible for understanding the fundamental tectonic processes operating on the Earth. They play important roles in sustainable critical minerals exploration, water resource management and protection, geologic hazard assessment, and understanding the evolution of life on our planet and beyond. Geology majors are prepared to enter successful careers in a range of geoscience industries (e.g., environmental consulting, state or federal scientific or regulatory agencies, resource exploration), to teach at the secondary level, or to attend graduate school. Students interested in the teaching certification in Earth and Space Sciences should investigate TU’s Earth-Space Sciences major.
The Geology major requires 47 units in geology and non-geology requirements, plus 17-20 additional units of electives for a total of 64-67 units.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Geology Courses | ||
| GEOL 121 | PHYSICAL GEOLOGY | 4 |
| or GEOL 122 | HONORS PHYSICAL GEOLOGY | |
| GEOL 123 | HISTORICAL GEOLOGY | 4 |
| GEOL 305 | ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGY | 4 |
| GEOL 321 | STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY | 4 |
| GEOL 331 | MINERALOGY | 4 |
| GEOL 333 | PETROLOGY OF IGNEOUS AND METAMORPHIC ROCKS | 4 |
| GEOL 443 | SEDIMENTOLOGY AND STRATIGRAPHY | 4 |
| Additional Required Courses | ||
| CHEM 131 & 131L | GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LECTURE and GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY | 4 |
| CHEM 132 & 132L | GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LECTURE and GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LABORATORY | 4 |
| MATH 211 | CALCULUS FOR APPLICATIONS | 3-4 |
| or MATH 273 | CALCULUS I | |
| Select one of the following sequences: | 8 | |
| GENERAL PHYSICS I; NON CALCULUS-BASED and GENERAL PHYSICS II; NON CALCULUS-BASED | ||
| GENERAL PHYSICS I CALCULUS-BASED and GENERAL PHYSICS II CALCULUS-BASED | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select minimum five courses from the following list. Minimum three courses must be from Geology (GEOL). 1 | 17-20 | |
| INTRODUCTION TO ASTROPHYSICS | ||
| PLANETARY ASTRONOMY | ||
| GENERAL BOTANY 2 | ||
| CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2 | ||
| INSTRUMENTAL ANALYSIS 2 | ||
| ESSENTIALS OF ORGANIC CHEM [LECTURE] and ESSENTIALS OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY | ||
| ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I [LECTURE] and INTRODUCTORY ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY | ||
| PRINCIPLES OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO GEOSPATIAL TECHNOLOGY | ||
| INTRO TO GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE | ||
| GEOMORPHOLOGY | ||
| SOILS AND VEGETATION | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO REMOTE SENSING AND PHOTOGRAMMETRY | ||
| CLIMATOLOGY | ||
| METEOROLOGY | ||
| APPLIED CLIMATOLOGY | ||
| ADVANCED REMOTE SENSING: DIGITAL IMAGE PROCESSING AND ANALYSIS | ||
| CLIMATE CHANGE: SCIENCE TO POLICY | ||
| SUSTAINABILITY AND THE USE OF NATURAL RESOURCES | ||
| PALEONTOLOGY | ||
| OCEANOGRAPHY | ||
| METHODS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY | ||
| HYDROGEOLOGY | ||
| TECTONICS | ||
| SPECIAL TOPICS IN GEOLOGY | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH 3 | ||
| INDEPENDENT RESEARCH IN GEOLOGY 4 | ||
| GEOLOGICAL FIELD METHODS | ||
| TRAVEL STUDY | ||
| RESEARCH PROBLEMS IN GEOLOGY 3 | ||
| BASIC STATISTICS | ||
| CALCULUS II | ||
| INTRODUCTORY MATHEMATICAL PHYSICS | ||
| MECHANICS | ||
| THERMODYNAMICS AND KINETIC THEORY 2 | ||
| Total Units | 64-68 | |
- 1
Other upper (300-400) level courses in Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Geography may substitute as electives, but must be approved by a student’s adviser prior to registration.
- 2
Course has prerequisite(s) not listed among the elective courses above.
- 3
Course requires department permission to be applied toward electives.
- 4
If selected as an elective, GEOL 490 must be taken for a minimum of 3 units with the experience culminating in a public oral or poster presentation or equivalent. The presentation should be given in the semester that the 3rd unit of GEOL 490 is taken. Maximum 3 units total of GEOL 490 may be applied toward electives.
Sample Four-Year Plan
The selected course sequence below is an example of the simplest path to degree completion. Based on course schedules, student needs, and student choice, individual plans may vary. Students should consult with their adviser to make the most appropriate elective choices and to ensure that they have completed the required number of units (120) to graduate.
(For students ready to take Calculus)
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| CHEM 131 & 131L (Core 7) | 4 | CHEM 132 & 132L (Core 8) | 4 |
| GEOL 121 or 122 | 4 | GEOL 123 | 4 |
| MATH 273 or 211 (Core 3) | 4 | PHYS 211 or 241 | 4 |
| Core 1 (or Core 2) | 3 | Core 2 (or Core 1) | 3 |
| Core 5 | 3 | ||
| 15 | 18 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| GEOL 331 | 4 | GEOL 305 | 4 |
| PHYS 212 or 242 | 4 | GEOL 333 | 4 |
| Geology Elective | 3 | Core 9 | 3 |
| Core 6 | 3 | Core 10 | 3 |
| 14 | 14 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| GEOL 321 | 4 | GEOL 443 | 4 |
| Geology Elective | 3 | Geology Elective | 4 |
| Core 4 | 3 | Core 13 | 3 |
| Core 11 | 3 | Core 14 | 3 |
| Core 12 | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 16 | 17 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| Geology Elective | 4 | Geology Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 1 | ||
| 13 | 13 | ||
| Total Units 120 | |||
- Each graduate shall demonstrate a general understanding of the physical constitution of the earth including the chemistry and origin of common earth materials.
- Each graduate shall demonstrate a general understanding of both the internal and external dynamic processes of the earth system.
- Each graduate will conduct and present a basic geological research project using appropriate tools, technologies and methodologies.