Geosciences, B.S.: Concentration in Geophysics

Program Overview

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The Bachelor of Science in Geosciences at Texas Tech University provides a comprehensive foundation in the study of Earth's systems, including geology, geophysics, and geochemistry. The program emphasizes field work, communication skills, and a minor in a related field. Graduates are prepared for careers in the geosciences industry, research, and education.

Program Outline

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Outline:

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First Year (Fall)

• GEOL 1303: Our Planet Earth: Principles of Geology (3 credit hours)
• GEOL 1101: Our Planet Earth: Principles of Geology Laboratory (1 credit hour)
• MATH 1451: Calculus I with Applications (4 credit hours)
• CHEM 1307: Principles of Chemistry I (3 credit hours)
• CHEM 1107: Experimental Principles of Chemistry I (1 credit hour)
• Personal Fitness and Wellness (1 credit hour)

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First Year (Spring)

• GEOL 2401: History of the Earth through Deep Time (4 credit hours)
• PHYS 1408: Principles of Physics I (4 credit hours)
• MATH 1452: Calculus II with Applications (4 credit hours)
• ENGL 1301: Essentials of College Rhetoric (3 credit hours)

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Second Year (Fall)

• GEOL 3401: Mineralogy (4 credit hours)
• GPH 3300: Geophysics (3 credit hours)
• GEOL 2101: Undergraduate Seminar (1 credit hour)
• MATH 2450: Calculus III with Applications (4 credit hours) (Minor)
• PHYS 2401: Principles of Physics II (4 credit hours)

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Second Year (Spring)

• GCH 3303: Introduction to Geochemistry (3 credit hours)
• GEOL 3321: Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology (3 credit hours)
• GPH 4323: Environmental Geophysics (3 credit hours)
• MATH 2360: Linear Algebra (3 credit hours)
• ENGL 1302: Advanced College Rhetoric (3 credit hours)

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Third Year (Fall)

• GPH 4321: Seismic Exploration Methods (3 credit hours)
• GPH 3310: Introduction to Data Science for Geophysics (3 credit hours)
• GEOL 3325: Sedimentary Petrology (3 credit hours)
• Oral Communication Elective (3 credit hours)
• POLS 2306: Texas Politics and Topics (3 credit hours)

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Third Year (Spring)

• GEOL 4327: Depositional Systems and Stratigraphy (3 credit hours)
• GPH 4322: Solid-Earth Geophysics (3 credit hours)
• MATH 3350: Higher Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists I (3 credit hours)
• POLS 1301: American Government (3 credit hours)
• English Literature 2000-Level (3 credit hours)

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Fourth Year (Fall)

• GEOL 3402: Structural Geology (4 credit hours)
• **Minor Elective (3 credit hours) (Jr./Sr.
• )
• HIST 2300: History of the United States to 1877 (3 credit hours)
• Foreign Language (3 credit hours) (See below)
• **Minor Elective (3 credit hours) (Jr./Sr.
• )

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Fourth Year (Spring)

• Geosciences or STEM Elective (3 credit hours) (Minor)
• Geosciences or STEM Elective (3 credit hours) (Minor)
• Social & Behavioral Sciences (3 credit hours) (Choose a course that also meets the Multicultural requirement)
• HIST 2301: History of the United States since 1877 (3 credit hours)

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Other:

• Field Work: The context mentions that field work is a requirement for the B.S.
degree in Geosciences. Students who are not comfortable with field work are advised to consider the B.A. in Geosciences instead.
• Communication Literacy Plan: The program requires students to complete the Communication Literacy Plan, which focuses on developing written and oral communication skills, as well as the ability to illustrate data and concepts through graphics.
The courses included in this plan are GEOL 2101, GEOL 3401, and GEOL 3402.
• Minimum GPA requirement: Students are required to maintain a TTU GPA of 2.5 to remain in the program.
If their cumulative GPA falls below 2.5, they will be given a one-semester probationary period to improve their GPA. Internal transfers must also have a TTU GPA of 2.5 to declare into the B.S. in Geosciences program.
• Minor: The text mentions that students can choose to minor in a variety of fields, including mathematics, the physical sciences, engineering, or a composite of courses from these fields.
• Foreign Language Requirement: Students must complete 3 hours at the sophomore level or above in a single language.
They also have the option of choosing a Creative Arts or Social and Behavioral Sciences course that also satisfies this requirement.