Geology, General Geology Concentration (BS in Geology)
The Geology Program
The program of the Department of Geology provides each major with a strong broad-based education in earth & environmental sciences with flexibility for students to pursue their own interests. The major may choose one of two options, either general geology or environmental geology. Independent research experiences are an integral part of both options designed as a capstone experience where students develop transferrable and marketable skills. The Geology curriculum stresses quantitative methods in the laboratory, data-driven approaches to problem-solving, and place-based learning and training. Geology majors have access to field class and research experiences historically ranging from Virginia’s coastline to the Blue Ridge, Hawaii, California, Alaska, and the Colorado Plateau in the United States, and Scotland, Norway, and Oman abroad.
Geology majors are prepared for careers in environmental consulting, water resources, oil, gas, & mineral exploration, geotechnical work, natural hazards, climate and sustainability, the renewable energy sector, GIS/data analysis, education, and government or nonprofit science agencies. This training also provides a strong foundation for graduate or professional study in geology, environmental science, engineering, risk management, public policy, law, science communication, or related applied fields.
Course Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Introductory Sequence | ||
| Select one of the following options: | 4-5 | |
| The Dynamic Earth: Physical Geology and Investigating the Earth: Introductory Geology Laboratory | ||
| Earth's Environmental Systems: Physical Geography and Investigating the Earth: Introductory Geology Laboratory | ||
| First-Year Seminar and Investigating the Earth: Introductory Geology Laboratory | ||
| Geologic Evolution of VA | ||
| Core Courses | ||
| GEOL 321 | Rock-Forming Minerals | 4 |
| GEOL 323 | Earth Structure & Dynamics | 4 |
| Select at least one course from Group A: | 3-4 | |
| Hydrology | ||
| Environmental Geochemistry | ||
| Earth Surface Processes | ||
| Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology | ||
| Select at least one course from Group B: | 3-4 | |
| The Sedimentary Record | ||
| Paleoclimatology & Paleoceanography | ||
| Paleontology | ||
| Select two to four additional credits from Group A and B: | 2-4 | |
| Paleoclimatology & Paleoceanography | ||
| Paleontology | ||
| Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology | ||
| Hydrology | ||
| Environmental Geochemistry | ||
| Earth Surface Processes | ||
| The Sedimentary Record | ||
| Research | ||
| GEOL 404 | Introduction to Geological Research | 1 |
| Select one of the following: | 4-6 | |
| Senior Research and Senior Research | ||
| Honors and Honors | ||
| Elective Courses | ||
| Select nine credits from the following: | 9 | |
| Age of Dinosaurs | ||
or GEOL 207 | Planetary Geology | |
or GEOL 212 | Global Climate Change | |
| Environmental Geology | ||
| Regional Field Geology | ||
| Field Methods in the Earth Sciences | ||
| Watershed Dynamics | ||
| Sedimentology Seminar | ||
| Structural Geology Seminar | ||
| Paleobiology Seminar | ||
| Geochemistry Seminar | ||
| Hydrology Seminar | ||
| Special Topics Seminar | ||
| Introduction to Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Analysis | ||
| Coastal and Marine Geology | ||
Additional courses from Group A and B can also be used for elective credits. 1 | ||
| Additional Requirements | ||
| Select two of the following: 2 | 8 | |
| General Chemistry I and General Chemistry Lab I | ||
| Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry Lab I | ||
| General Chemistry II and Introduction to Inorganic Chemistry and General Chemistry Laboratory II | ||
| General Physics-Lecture and General Physics-Lab | ||
| Gen Physics-Lecture and General Physics-Lab | ||
| Total Hours | 42-49 | |
Major Computing Requirement
Fulfilled by completing the Research requirement outlined below.
Major Writing Requirement
Fulfilled by completing the Research requirement outlined below.
- 1
nly one of the following courses can be used to count towards the major: GEOL 203 Age of Dinosaurs or GEOL 207 Planetary Geology or GEOL 212 Global Climate Change.
- 2
These courses are required but do not count towards the minimum 36 credits in Geology. Geology majors, especially those planning on pursuing advanced degrees, are strongly recommended to take one year of calculus, one year of chemistry, one year of physics, and a field camp.