Geology, B.S.

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Requirements for the Major:

A minimum of eleven courses in the department including:

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:

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

All students must complete two courses from the following list:

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:

MTH 113 - Accelerated Single-Variable Calculus

Chemistry

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

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.

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.