Geology, Minor
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.
Required Credit Hours: 21
| 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 | ||
| 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 at least one course from Group C: | 4 | |
| Earth Structure & Dynamics | ||
| Rock-Forming Minerals | ||
| Elective Courses | ||
| Select six credits from the following: 1 | 6 | |
| Age of Dinosaurs | ||
or GEOL 207 | Planetary Geology | |
or GEOL 212 | Global Climate Change | |
| Sedimentology Seminar | ||
| Structural Geology Seminar | ||
| Paleobiology Seminar | ||
| Geochemistry Seminar | ||
| Hydrology Seminar | ||
| Special Topics Seminar | ||
| Environmental Geology | ||
| Regional Field Geology | ||
| Field Methods in the Earth Sciences | ||
| Watershed Dynamics | ||
| Coastal and Marine Geology | ||
| Total Hours | 20-23 | |