B.S. Option B Geology Major

This option is designed for students who desire the curricular freedom of selecting a minor. Students choose between a geology major or hydrogeology/environmental concentration. With an appropriate minor, this curriculum will adequately prepare a student for graduate school or a career in the geological or environmental sciences.

STUDENTS SHOULD CONSULT THE CURRENTCMU BULLETIN FOR THE MOST RECENT "OFFICIAL" REQUIREMENTS.

Core:

1) Any one of the following sequences of Introductory Geology with laboratory (3-4 hours):

A. GEL 101 (3) Physical Geology AND GEL 102 (1) Physical Geology Laboratory
B. GEL 105 (3) Environmental Geology AND GEL 102 (1) Physical Geology Laboratory
C. GEL 100 (3) Introduction to Earth Systems
D. GEL 130 (3) Earth Processes

2) Majors Courses (25 hours):

GEL 201 (3) Earth History
GEL 290 (3) Introduction to Geological Investigation
GEL 310 (4) Introductory Mineralogy
GEL 321 (4) Petrology
GEL 370 (3) Structural Geology
GEL 430 (3) Invertebrate Paleontology
GEL 440 (3) Stratigraphy and Sedimentology
GEL 450 (5) Geology Field Camp

Option B - Geology Concentration:

GEL 430 (3) Invertebrate Paleontology
GEL 372 (3) Introduction to Geophysics
OR GEL 380 (3) Hydrogeology
OR GEL 460 (3) Geochemistry

 

AND

 

3 semester hours of approved 300+ electives EXCLUDING GEL 301, GEL 304, and GEL 320

AND

 

A Minor in an appropriate subject area is required.

THE FOLLOWING SCIENCE COURSES ARE ALSO REQUIRED:

MTH 132 (4) Calculus I

 

CHM 131 (4) Introduction to Chemistry I and CHM 132 (4) Introduction to Chemistry II

PHY 130 (4) College Physics I

 

We also strongly recommend that students complete MTH 133, and PHY 131 or 146 as a full year of these cognate sciences are often required for admission to graduate school or by prospective employers.

These courses are NOT officially required by the major.

Suggested Course Flow Chart
Curriculum: Geology, Option B

COMPLETION IN FOUR YEARS (degree partners plan) Fall Semester - Year 1 GEL 101 or GEL 202 GEL 102 CHM 131 (Prerequisite) Competency elective UP elective Spring Semester - Year 1 GEL 201 UP (MTH 132) (elective/comp/prereq.) Competency elective UP elective Degree Requirement Fall Semester - Year 2 GEL 290 GEL 310 PHY 130 or 145 (Prerequisite) Competency elective Minor Spring Semester - Year 2 GEL 321 Minor Degree Requirement UP elective UP elective Fall Semester - Year 3 GEL 430 GEL 370 UP elective UP Elective Minor Spring Semester - Year 3 GEL 440 Degree Requirement Elective Minor Minor Summer Semester - Year 3 GEL 450 Fall Semester - Year 4 GEL 372 or 380 or 460 Minor Minor Degree Requirement Elective Spring Semester - Year 4 GEL elective (300 level or above) Minor Elective Elective Elective

COMPLETION IN THREE YEARS* Fall Semester - Year 1 GEL 101 or GEL 202 GEL 102 CHM 131 (Prerequisite) Spring Semester - Year 1 GEL 201 UP (MTH 132) elective and competency Fall Semester - Year 2 GEL 290 GEL 310 GEL 430 MTH 133 or 137 Spring Semester - Year 2 GEL 321 GEL elective (300 level or above) PHY 130 or 145 Fall Semester - Year 3 GEL 372 or 380 or 460 GEL 370 Spring Semester - Year 3 GEL 440 GEL elective (300 level or above) Summer Semester - Year 3 GEL 450 * The three year plan applies to students who become interested in a geology major after their freshman year. This track IS NOT GUARANTEED to allow the student to complete the requirements for the Geology degree in three years. Instead, this is a recommended seqence that will work PROVIDED that students 1) have, by the beginning of their sophmore year, completed some required UP, competency, and/or cognate science courses in addition to some courses required by their particular degree program and 2) continue to complete required courses in their minor throughout the three year sequence.

Notes

CHM 131 or 161 is a prerequisite or corequisite for GEL 310.
MTH 132 or 136 and PHY 130 or 145 are prerequisites for GEL 372.