Student ID:__________________________ Student Name:_______________________ Adviser Name:_______________________ Catalog: Academic Catalog 2020-2021 Program: Geology, B.S. Minimum Credits Required:__________________

Geology, B.S.

Requirements for the Major:

A minimum of eleven courses in the department including:

Course NameTerm TakenGradeGen Ed

Choose one from the following:

GEO 110 - Physical Geology
GEO 112 - Environmental Geology
GEO 117 - Natural Disasters

 

Take the following courses:

GEO 120 - The Earth and Life Through Time
GEO 201 - Stratigraphy and Depositional Environments of New York
GEO 202 - Geomorphology
GEO 220 - Mineral Science
GEO 307 - Structural Geology
GEO 320 - Origin of Igneous and Metamorphic Rocks
GEO 405 - Geology Senior Seminar

 

Senior Writing (WS) Requirement:  (Choose one option below)

 

One-Term Option:

GEO 498 - Geology Research and Writing

 

Two-Term Option:

GEO 495 - Geology Thesis Research 1
GEO 496 - Geology Thesis Research 2

Students in the Traditional Geology Track must choose two courses from the following:

Course NameTerm TakenGradeGen Ed
GEO 205 - Tectonics
GEO 206 - Volcanology
GEO 208 - Paleontology, Paleobiology, and Paleoecology
GEO 302 - Geochemical Systems and Modeling
GEO 303 - Geophysics
GEO 304 - Carbonate Sedimentology

Students in the Environmental Geology Track must choose two courses from the following:

Course NameTerm TakenGradeGen Ed
GEO 203 - Lakes and Environmental Change
GEO 207 - Stable Isotopes in Environmental Science
GEO 209 - Paleoclimatology
GEO 300 - Glacial and Quaternary Geology
GEO 305 - Biogeochemistry
GEO 302 - Geochemical Systems and Modeling

All students must complete two courses from the following list:

Course NameTerm TakenGradeGen Ed
  • Any elective courses from the geology curriculum
  • OR

    ENS 100 - Introduction to Environmental Studies
    ENS 204 - Geographic Information Systems

     

    BIO 320 - Ecology

    or

  • BIO 350T - Terrestrial Ecology of Australia
  •  

    CHM 231 - Organic Chemistry 1

    or

    CHM 240 - Analytical Chemistry

     

    Of these, no more than one may be at the 100-level; 100-level courses cannot count as an elective if taken after a student declares the Geology major.

    Also required are two terms each of the following:

    Advanced work or a minor is encouraged in chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics, economics, or engineering.

    Mathematics

    Any two courses numbered 100 or higher, or equivalent such as:

    Course NameTerm TakenGradeGen Ed
    MTH 113 - Accelerated Single-Variable Calculus

    Chemistry

     The following is required, and any CHM course numbered 102 or higher.

    Course NameTerm TakenGradeGen Ed
    CHM 101 - Introductory Chemistry 1

    Biology or Physics

    (any two courses numbered 100 or higher).

    Note: Advanced work or a minor is encouraged in chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics, economics, or engineering.

     

    All Geology courses at the 100 level are introductory and have no prerequisites

    Preference for the following will be given to first- and second-year students.

    Course NameTerm TakenGradeGen Ed
    GEO 110 - Physical Geology
    GEO 112 - Environmental Geology
    GEO 117 - Natural Disasters
    GEO 120 - The Earth and Life Through Time

    Additional Requirements

    Senior Geology majors may not take any introductory course for major credit. A senior thesis is required, and theses may either be 1 term (GEO 498) or 2-3 terms (GEO 495, GEO 496, GEO 497 ). Completion of a two-term senior thesis (GEO 495 & GEO 496) is required for honors, and only one senior level research credit may count toward the two geology electives. Students who intend on going to graduate school are strongly encouraged to do a research thesis and to take two courses in physics rather than biology, unless specifically interested in paleontology or geobiology, because most graduate programs require physics. A summer field course in the junior year is strongly recommended, particularly for those going on to graduate school or geological consulting work.

    Requirements for Honors in Geology:

    The major requirements as specified above are required, as are the GPA requirements of Union College described elsewhere in this catalog. A senior research thesis is required, consisting of at least two terms of GEO 495, GEO 496, or GEO 497 (independent research with a faculty member). Theses involving GEO 497 must be completed by the end of the 6th week of the Spring term.

    Requirements for Secondary School Certification:

    Students seeking certification in earth science should complete the normal Geology major described above, except that astronomy, planetary science, and meteorology may substitute for any Geology elective or physics/biology ancillary science course. For other requirements consult the Educational Studies Program elsewhere in this catalog.

    Notes: