Geosciences, B.A.

This program focuses on the scientific study of Earth; forces acting upon and within it; and the makeup and behavior of the solids, liquids, and gases comprising the planet. The B.A. in Geosciences is designed for students who desire a broad liberal arts education that prepares them for careers such as environmental consulting, energy and resource management, and Geoscience education.

The B.A. in Geosciences is a flexible option that allows students to concentrate their coursework in selected areas of geology, earth surface processes, weather and climate, geospatial science, or oceanography. Because of the flexible degree requirements, many students are able to pursue a second major or minor in addition to the B.A. Geosciences.

Oral Communication Requirement:

For the B.A. degree in Geosciences, a student must successfully complete GLY 395 or GGY 395 or OCN 395 .

Applied Learning Requirement:

For the B.A. degree in Geosciences, a student must successfully complete GLY 390 or GGY 390 or OCN 390 .

Core Requirements (20 hours)

Students must complete one of the following courses:
GLY 101 - Earth Revealed Credit Hours: 3 or
GLY 120 - Environmental Geology Credit Hours: 3 or
GLY 125 - Natural Disasters Credit Hours: 3 or
OCN 150 - Introduction to Oceanography Credit Hours: 3 or
EVS 195 - Introduction to Environmental Sciences Credit Hours: 3 or
GGY 130 - Geosystems Credit Hours: 4
Students must also complete at least 1 laboratory course from GLYL 100, GLYL 101, GLYL 120, GGY 130* or OCNL 150. *GGY 130 lecture includes the GGY 130 lab, therefore, an additional laboratory is not required.
GLYL 101 - Earth Revealed Laboratory Credit Hours: 1 or
GLYL 120 - Environmental Geology Lab Credit Hours: 1 or
GLYL 100 - Earth Systems Laboratory Credit Hours: 1 or
OCNL 150 - Introduction to Oceanography Laboratory Credit Hours: 1
In addition, students must complete the following courses:
GLY 132 - The Earth Through Time Credit Hours: 4
GLY 201 - Mineralogy Credit Hours: 4
GGY 230 - Introduction to Weather and Climate Credit Hours: 3
GLY 365 - Written Communications in the Geosciences Credit Hours: 2 or
GGY 365 - Written Communications in the Geosciences Credit Hours: 2 or
OCN 365 - Written Communications in Oceanography Credit Hours: 2
GLY 390 - Field Methods in Geosciences Credit Hours: 2 or
OCN 390 - Field Methods in Oceanography Credit Hours: 2 or
GGY 390 - Field Methods in Geography Credit Hours: 2
GLY 395 - Oral Communication in Geology Credit Hours: 1 or
GGY 395 - Oral Communication in Geography Credit Hours: 1 or
OCN 395 - Topics in Oral Communications in Oceanography Credit Hours: 1

Elective Courses (21 hours)

Students must complete 21 hours of electives, of which 12 hours must be above the 299-level. At least six hours above the 299-level must be in GLY, GGY, or OCN. Students may select electives from any GLY, GGY, or OCN courses above the 299-level, and from the following:

ANT 207 - Archaeology Credit Hours: 3
ANT 307 - Archaeology of the Americas Credit Hours: 3
ANT 309 - Environmental Anthropology Credit Hours: 3
ANT 311 - Field Methods in Archaeology Credit Hours: 3 To 6
ANT 312 - Collapse. The Fall of Complex Civilizations Credit Hours: 3 To 6
ANT 375 - Archaeological Sciences Credit Hours: 3
ANT 430 - Evolutionary Biology Credit Hours: 3
BIO 202 - Principles of Biology: Biodiversity Credit Hours: 0 To 4
BIO 378 - Global Environmental Problems Credit Hours: 3
BIO 430 - Evolutionary Biology Credit Hours: 3
BIO 460 - Limnology Credit Hours: 3
CHM 101 - General Chemistry I Credit Hours: 3
CHML 101 - General Chemistry Laboratory I Credit Hours: 1
ECN 330 - Natural Resource Economics Credit Hours: 3
EDN 337 - Inquiry–The Method of Science Credit Hours: 3
EDN 338 - The Teaching of Science (6-9) Credit Hours: 3
EDN 383 - Mathematics and Science for the Early Years Credit Hours: 3
EDN 406 - Theory and Practice in Teaching Secondary Science (9-12) Credit Hours: 3
EGN 310 - Fluid Mechanics for Engineers Credit Hours: 3
EGN 311 - Coastal Engineering and Fluids Lab Credit Hours: 1
EGN 320 - Water Resources Engineering Credit Hours: 3
EGN 330 - Coastal Wave Mechanics Credit Hours: 3
EGN 340 - Matlab for Engineering Analysis Credit Hours: 3
EGN 401 - Sediment Transport Processes Credit Hours: 3
EGN 402 - Dredging and Beach Nourishment Credit Hours: 3
EGN 410 - Field Methods in Coastal Engineering Credit Hours: 3
EGN 420 - Applied Coastal Modeling Credit Hours: 3
EGN 430 - Coastal Structures Credit Hours: 3
ENG 393 - Writing in the Scientific Disciplines Credit Hours: 3
EVS 195 - Introduction to Environmental Sciences Credit Hours: 3
EVS 205 - Global Environmental Issues Credit Hours: 3
EVS 441 - Advanced Environmental Field Methods Credit Hours: 3
EVS 477 - Environmental Site Assessment Credit Hours: 3
EVS 478 - Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Credit Hours: 3
GGY 222 - Quantitative Methods in Earth Sciences Credit Hours: 3
GLY 125 - Natural Disasters Credit Hours: 3
GLY 226 - Principles of Hydrology Credit Hours: 3
HST 190 - History Unlimited: A Short History of Nearly Everything Credit Hours: 3
HST 329 - History of Science and Technology in the Modern World Credit Hours: 3
HST 496 - Topics in the History of Science and Technology Credit Hours: 3
OCN 250 - Coasts and Society Credit Hours: 3
PAR 345 - Philosophy of Science Credit Hours: 3
PAR 360 - Philosophy of Evolution Credit Hours: 3
PHY 350 - Fluid Mechanics Credit Hours: 3
PHY 416 - Introduction to Material Science Credit Hours: 3
PHY 475 - Physical Oceanography Credit Hours: 3
PHY 478 - Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Credit Hours: 3
PHY 480 - Coastal And Estuarine Systems Credit Hours: 3
PLS 209 - Environmental Politics Credit Hours: 3
PLS 329 - Ocean and Coastal Law and Policy Credit Hours: 3
PLS 370 - Global Environmental Governance Credit Hours: 3
REC 366 - Coastal Recreation Resource Management Credit Hours: 3

Total: 41 hours

Additional Information:

A “C” (2.00) or better average is required on all courses taken within the department, and “C” (2.00) or better average on all required courses above the 199 level in the department.