Geosciences, B.S.G.S.

Program Overview

This program offers a comprehensive education in geosciences, with a focus on geology, environmental science, petroleum engineering, and geophysics. Students complete a core curriculum in mathematics, chemistry, physics, and geology, and then choose a specialization in one of these areas. The program prepares students for careers in the geosciences industry, including exploration, production, environmental consulting, and research.

Program Outline

Outline:

• Geosciences Core (55 hours)
• - MATH 2014 Calculus I
• - MATH 2024 Calculus II
• - MATH 4503 Introduction to Numerical Methods
• - CHEM 1011 General Chemistry I Laboratory
• - CHEM 1013 General Chemistry I
• - CHEM 1021 General Chemistry II Laboratory
• - CHEM 1023 General Chemistry II
• - PHYS 2051 General Physics I Laboratory
• - PHYS 2053 General Physics I
• - PHYS 2061 General Physics II Laboratory
• - PHYS 2063 General Physics II
• - GEOL 1014 Physical Geology
• - GEOL 2034 Minerals and Rocks
• - GEOL 3151 Sedimentary Rocks and Processes Laboratory
• - GEOL 3153 Sedimentary Rocks and Processes
• - GEOL 4111 Structural Geology Laboratory
• - GEOL 4113 Introduction to Structural Geology
• - GEOL 4083 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
• - GEOG 3053 Geomorphology
• - GPHY 2503 Physics of the Earth
• - GPHY 4053 Applied Geophysics
• Geosciences Electives (15 hours)
• - Five courses selected from the following, including two at the 3000 level or above:
• -- GEOL 1003 Introduction to Oceanography
• -- GEOL 1043 Geology of the National Parks
• -- GEOL 2003 History of the Biosphere
• -- GEOL 2043 Energy, Environment and Climate Change
• -- GEOL 2063 Geological Hazards and Catastrophes
• -- GPHY 4003 Petroleum Seismology
• -- GPHY 4023 Field Methods for Geophysics and Geology
• -- GPHY 4033 Seismic Data Processing and Interpretation
• -- GPHY 4063 Rock Physics for Geoscientists and Engineers
• -- GEOL 4513 Hydrogeology
• -- GEOL 4523 Environmental Geochemistry
• -- GPHY 5023 Seismic Inversion
• -- Any 3000- or 4000-level geology, geography, or geophysics elective selected with approval of advisor
• Technical Electives (15-27 hours)
• - Students choose one of the following options:
• Geology Option (24 hours)
Students who pursue the geology option must complete
• - 18 credit hours in petroleum engineering, chemistry, physics, mathematics, or statistics; and
• - GEOL 4016 Field Geology, which is taken during the summer after the student’s junior or senior year.
• Environmental Science Option (15 hours)
Students who pursue the environmental science option must complete
• - 6 credit hours in biology;
• - 3 credit hours in statistics; and
• - 6 credit hours in anthropology, business law, business, chemical engineering or energy management.
• Petroleum Engineering Option (27 hours)
Students who pursue the petroleum engineering option must complete
• - 6 credit hours of mathematics beyond MATH 2024;
• - 6 credit hours in geophysics beyond the core requirements; and
• - 15 credit hours in petroleum engineering.
• Geophysics Option (21 hours)
Students who pursue the geophysics option must complete
• - 6 credit hours of mathematics beyond MATH 2024;
• - 12 credit hours in geophysics beyond the core requirements; and
• - 3 credit hours in electrical engineering.
• General Electives (3-15 hours)
• - Students who pursue the geology option complete 12 credit hours of general electives.
• - Students who pursue the environmental science option complete 15 credit hours of general electives.
• - Students who pursue the petroleum engineering option complete three credit hours of general electives.
• - Students who pursue the geophysics option complete nine credit hours of general electives.