B.S. Geology Program Map
Environmental Concentration
The Environmental Geology concentration prepares students to work in conservation, management and remediation of natural resources. Students have the option of pursuing coursework in Sustainability, Geographic Information Systems and Environmental Policy.
Stats
60
Core Credit Hours
39
Major Credit Hours
21
Elective Credit Hours
- Plan Your Degree
- Crush Your Course
- Find Your Place
- Broaden Your Perspectives
- Connect Off-Campus
- Take Care of Yourself
- Pave Your Path
Plan Your Degree
Disclaimer: This program map is intended ONLY as a guide for students to plan their course of study. It does NOT replace any information in the Undergraduate Catalog, which is the official guide for completing degree requirements.
| Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
|
A1: ENGL 1101
English Composition 1 |
3 |
|
MATH 1111
College Algebra |
3 |
|
F: GEOL 1121 + Lab
Introduction to Geosciences 1 |
4 |
|
D1: BIOL 1107 + Lab
Principles of Biology 1 |
4 |
| B2: Other Institutional Options | 2 |
Milestones:
- Complete ENGL 1101 with a C or better.
- Complete MATH 1111 with a B or better.
- Target: 15 credit hours completed (This example = 16).
| Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
|
A1: ENGL 1102
English Composition 2 |
3 |
|
A2: MATH 1113
Precalculus |
4 |
|
F: GEOL 1122 + Lab
Introduction to Geosciences 2 |
4 |
|
D1: BIOL 1108 + Lab*
Principles of Biology 2 |
4 |
Milestones:
- Complete ENGL 1102 & MATH 1113 with a C or better.
- Complete GEOL 1121/1122 sequence.
- Target: 30 credit hours completed (31).
16 Fall Credit Hours + 15 Spring Credit Hours = 31 Credit Hours
(*) = This is a required course.
| Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
|
F: CHEM 12 11 + Lab*
Principles of Chemistry 1 |
4 |
|
GEOL 3004
Field Geology and Geologic Mapping |
4 |
|
MATH 1634*
Calculus 1 |
4 |
|
GEOL 3603
Environmental Geology |
3 |
Milestones:
- Complete CHEM 1211/1211 with a C or better.
- Complete Field Geology (GEOL 3004) with a C or better.
- Plan for courses offered only alternate years.
- Target: 45 credit hours completed (46).
| Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
|
F: CHEM 1212 + Lab*
Principles of Chemistry 2 |
4 |
|
GEOL 4093
Risk Assessment |
3 |
|
D2: MATH 1401*
Elementary Statistics |
3 |
| B1: Written and Oral Communication | 3 |
| E: History, Government, OR Social Science | 3 |
Milestones:
- Complete CHEM 1212/1212L.
- Plan for courses offered only alternate years.
- Target: 60 credit hours completed (62).
15 Fall Credit Hours + 16 Spring Credit Hours = 31 Credit Hours
Additional Information:
- Speak with Advisor and Faculty Mentor about GEOL 4082 before Year 3.
(*) = This is a required course.
| Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
|
GEOL 3014
Mineralogy and Crystallography |
4 |
|
GEOL 4082
Geological Problems |
1 |
|
CHEM 2411 OR 3310*
Organic Chemistry I or Analytical Chemistry |
3/4 |
| C: Humanities OR Fine Arts | 3 |
| E: History, Government, OR Social Science | 3 |
Milestones:
- Complete Mineralogy (GEOL 3014).
- Research (GEOL 4082) okay any semester.
- Plan for courses offered only alternate years.
- Target: 75 credit hours completed (77).
| Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
|
GEOL 4084
Hydrogeology |
3 |
|
GEOL 4083 OR 4014
Geochemistry |
4/3 |
| C: Humanities OR Fine Arts | 3 |
| E: History, Government, OR Social Science | 3 |
Milestones:
- Plan for courses offered only alternate years.
- Target: 90 credit hours completed (90/91).
14-to-15 Fall Credit Hours + 13-to-14 Spring Credit Hours = 27-to-29 Credit Hours
(*) = This is a required course.
| Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
|
GEOG 2202
Environmental Science |
3 |
| E: History, Government, OR Social Science | 3 |
| F: Major Course | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
Milestone:
- Target: 105 credit hours completed (106/105).
| Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
|
GEOL 4501
Geology Seminar |
1 |
| Elective | 4 |
| Elective | 4 |
| Elective | 4 |
| Elective | 3 |
Milestones:
- Complete GEOL 4064.
- Complete Seminar (GEOL 4501).
- Target: 120 credit hours completed (122/121).
15 Fall Credit Hours + 16 Spring Credit Hours = 31 Credit Hours
Additional Information:
GEOLOGY COURSES OFFERED ONLY ALTERNATE YEARS:
- Fall, odd-numbered years: GEOL 3603, Environmental Geology, GEOL 4003 Geomorphology, GEOL 4044, Engineering Geology.
- Spring, even-numbered years: GEOL 4083, Environmental Geochemistry.
- Spring, odd-numbered years: GEOL 4014, Geochemistry.
ELECTIVES OFFERED DURING SUMMER SESSIONS:
- GEOL 2503, Introduction to Oceanography.
- GEOL 2553, Geology of National Parks.
Crush Your Course
First Year:
- Take the Intro Geology sequence GEOL 1121+L, and GEOL 1122+L your first and second semesters.
- Enroll in CHEM 1211.
- Get confident with Wolf Watch and your Program Map.
Middle Years:
- Choose a track: Professional or Environmental.
- Explore courses in the core and follow the Geology Program Map for the geology track you choose.
- Love something outside of geology? Earn a minor or a certificate!
Last Year:
- Take upper-level electives to prepare you for your career/graduate programs.
- Study for the licensure exam (Professional Track students).
Find Your Place
First Year:
- Attend a Geoscience Club meeting or event such as River Cleanup, or a professional talk.
- Find other student organizations that match your interests.
Middle Years:
- Ask your professors about their research and seek out your own opportunities to do research.
- Start researching career paths.
- Become a TA for Physical Geology or Historical Geology.
Last Year:
- Be a leader in the Program by being a Club officer.
- Serve as a TA again or seek other employment/volunteering opportunities on campus.
Broaden Your Perspectives
First Year:
- Explore a new-to-you culture or language through your core courses.
- Make an effort to be inclusive of others as you meet new faces on campus.
Middle Years:
- Travel! Explore Travel Abroad opportunities or enroll in Regional Applications of Field Geology (offered summers) to see more of the US.
Last Year:
- Read books or listen to podcasts to expand your thinking about how geosciences affect people and society.
Connect Off-Campus
First Year:
- Meet our Alumni at the Geosciences Career Night (Spring).
- Go to events in the Carrollton Community.
Middle Years:
- Participate in an internship.
- Volunteer with a STEM school visit.
Last Year:
- Become a member of a geology professional organization and get involved as soon as you can!
Take Care of Yourself
First Year:
- Build friendships with other students.
- Learn about resources on campus such as the Counseling Center, Student Health Services, Center for Academic Success, and the Campus Center.
Middle Years:
- Take a break from studying once in a while to enjoy events on campus.
Last Year:
- Get organized with important dates! Graduation application, job application, grad school stuff, class projects, interviews...put all those dates in your phone so that you can stay on top of your busy schedule this final year.
Pave Your Path
First Year:
- Be proactive. Go to your professors’ office hours, even before you need help in the class. These conversations can lead to connections.
Middle Year:
- Apply for scholarships and REU opportunities.
- Attend a professional conference to network and connect with the scientific community.
- Research graduate school programs if you’re considering that pathway.
Last Year:
- Request letters of recommendation from professors (at least 2 weeks before you need them).
- Apply to graduate programs in the fall or early winter or apply to jobs in the spring.
Careers
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
This degree can help you get work as the following:
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Have any questions about your major?
Don't forget to check out Wolf Watch to explore degree requirements!