Undergrad Programs

Graduate Program

Faculty and Staff

Contact Info

Copyright 2004, University of Northern Colorado

Webmaster

 

Bachelor of Science in Earth Sciences

Emphasis in Geology

"Civilization exists by geological consent, subject to change without notice." (Anon)

The science of geology explores the physical makeup of the earth, the processes that shape it and the history of its development. The geology program at UNC provides a broad background in geology to give students a solid foundation on which to build a productive professional career.

Graduates of the geology program will be prepared for entry-level positions as geologists in the petroleum and mining industries, in local, state and federal governmental agencies and in a variety of engineering and geological consulting firms. The program provides the background necessary for admission to graduate programs in geology and related fields.

Employment opportunities in geology are now the strongest that they have been for over 15 years. Geologists are finding employment in the petroleum, minerals and environmental industries, and in various governmental agencies. We strongly encourage all students in the program to continue their education with a master's degree program at any of the excellent schools in the region. A graduate degree provides the best basis for a career in the geosciences.

All geology courses in the program include field trips to study the well displayed diverse geology of the northern Colorado. Upper division courses typically include substantial projects based on field work. By the time you complete the program you will know a great deal about the geology of northern Colorado and adjacent areas based on having observed and studied it in the field.

Program Requirements

This shows a summary of requirements.  Consult the Catalog for the official details.

Geology Program Credits
Required Geology 39
Required Supporting 33
Elective Geology 3
General Education (7 credits already included in above requirements)
Specified 4
Remaining 29
Elective 12
Total credits required for this degree 120

View Sample Plan of Study
Return to Top

Required Geology Credits - 39 semester hours

Course Title Credits
GEOL 201 Physical Geology
4
GEOL 202 Historical Geology
4
GEOL 320 Mineralogy
4
GEOL 340 Paleontology
4
GEOL 421 Optical Mineralogy and Petrography
4
GEOL 450 Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
4
GEOL 460 Geomorphology
3
GEOL 470 Structural Geology
4
GEOL 481 Geologic Field Techniques
2
GEOL 482 Geology Field Camp
6

Return to Top

Required Supporting Credits - 33 semester hours

Course Title Credits
BIO 111 Survey of Organismal Biology
5
CHEM 111 Principles of Chemistry I
5
CHEM 112 Principles of Chemistry II
5
MATH 131 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I
4
MATH 132 Calculus and Analytic Geometry II
4
PHYS 220 Introduction to Physics I
5
PHYS 221 Introduction to Physics II
5

Note that PHYS 240 and PHYS 241 may be taken in lieu of PHYS 220 and PHYS 221, and CHEM 114 and CHEM 115 may be taken in lieu of CHEM 111 and CHEM 112.

Return to Top

Elective geology Credits - 3 semester hours

Electives must be selected from courses with a GEOL prefix that are open to majors.

Select from:

Course Title Credits
GEOL 390 Colorado Geology
3
GEOL 464 Glacial and Quaternary Geology
3
GEOL 510 Groundwater Geology
2
GEOL 525 Economic Geology
3
GEOL 532 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
2
GEOL 533 Sedimentary Petrology
2
GEOL 535 Tectonics
3
GEOL 567 Volcanic Geology
3
GEOL 590 Rocky Mountain Geology Seminar
2
GEOL 595 Special Topics in Geology
1-4

Return to Top

General Education Credits, Specified - 4 semester hours

Category Course Title Credits
2 MATH 124 College Algebra 4

Return to Top

Notes

Science and mathematics courses approved for General Education that are taken as part of the major may also be used to satisfy General Education requirements.

A 2.0 grade point average in the major is required for graduation.

Return to Top

Page last updated: 04/12/2004