a c a d e m i c p r o g r a m sCollege of Arts and Sciences - Curriculum Guide
Geology
Geology is an interdisciplinary science that deals with the study of the physical features, composition, history, and processes of the earth. Many geologists today are working to solve environmental problems, to develop and protect water resources, and to discover new deposits of minerals and fossil fuels.
Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts programs are offered in geology and in environmental geology. These programs require coursework in mathematics (through calculus), physics, and chemistry, and a set of required and elective geology courses. All students complete the College of Arts and Sciences core curriculum. Students in the Bachelor of Arts programs take a broader array of nonscience courses and must demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language (through intermediate II level). Courses in the geology major focus on the basic composition (mineralogy and petrology), structure (structural geology and stratigraphy), and surface of the earth (geomorphology and geochemistry). The environmental geology major has a greater emphasis on earth surface processes, human interactions, and land-use planning. Typical environmental geology courses include hydrogeology, geology and land-use planning, environmental planning, groundwater geochemistry, and coastal processes.
Fieldwork is an essential component of training in geology, and many of our courses utilize field sites throughout New England to demonstrate geological processes. In addition to these local trips, the department has taken students on longer field excursions to the Cascade Mountains of Washington, to the island of San Salvador in the Bahamas, to the Grand Canyon, and to the Black Hills of South Dakota. Students also have the option to complete undergraduate research courses with a faculty member. Undergraduate research projects usually involve substantial field and lab work completed under the guidance of the geology faculty. Honors students in geology have the opportunity to participate in special sections of geology courses and in special honors activities.
The geology program offers basic knowledge needed to work in almost any of the geologic professions in both industry and government, or to continue studies in graduate school. The major in environmental geology is particularly popular, and many of our recent graduates work for environmental or geotechnical firms. Students involved in the co-op plan typically work with local engineering, environmental consulting companies, or with government agencies. These jobs often involve assessing building sites, evaluating land use, and studying many problems concerned with groundwater contamination and remediation. See course descriptions for more information.
Bachelor of Arts in Geology Curriculum
GEO 1212, Physical Geology; GEO 1213, Physical Geology Lab; GEO 1222, Historical Geology; GEO 1223, Historical Geology Lab; GEO 1310, Descriptive Mineralogy; GEO 1308, Petrology; GEO 1440, Geomorphology; GEO 1418, Structural Geology; and five geology electives.
MTH 1106, Fundamentals of Mathematics and MTH 1107, Functions and Basic Calculus or MTH 1107, Functions and Basic Calculus and MTH 1108, Calculus; PHY 1221, Physics for Science and Engineering Students or PHY 1201, Physics for the Life Sciences 1; CHM 1111, CHM 1122, General Chemistry 1 and 2.
In addition, complete the arts and sciences core curriculum and the experiential education requirement.
Bachelor of Science in Geology Curriculum
GEO 1212, Physical Geology; GEO 1213, Physical Geology Lab; GEO 1222, Historical Geology; GEO 1223, Historical Geology Lab; GEO 1310, Descriptive Mineralogy; GEO 1311, Optical Crystallography; GEO 1308, Petrology; GEO 1418, Structural Geology; GEO 1440, Geomorphology; and eight geology electives.
MTH 1107, Functions and Basic Calculus and MTH 1108, Calculus or MTH 1123, MTH 1124, and MTH 1125, Calculus 1, 2, and 3; PHY 1221, PHY 1222, PHY 1223, Physics for Science and Engineering Students 1, 2, and 3; CHM 1111, CHM 1122, General Chemistry 1 and 2; CHM 1221, Analytical Chemistry or GEO 1412, Geochemistry; and two approved additional science electives.
In addition, complete the arts and sciences core curriculum and the experiential education requirement.
Minor in Geology Curriculum
GEO 1212, Physical Geology; GEO 1222, Historical Geology; GEO 1308, Petrology; GEO 1213, Physical Geology Lab; GEO 1223, Historical Geology Lab; plus four geology electives (GEO 1250 or higher number) chosen with the approval of the geology department.
Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Geology Curriculum
GEO 1212, Physical Geology; GEO 1213, Physical Geology Lab; GEO 1222, Historical Geology; GEO 1223, Historical Geology Lab; GEO 1308, Petrology; GEO 1440, Geomorphology; GEO 1438, Geology and Land-Use Planning; and five geology electives.
MTH 1107, Functions and Basic Calculus and MTH 1108, Calculus or MTH 1106, Fundamentals of Mathematics and MTH 1107, Functions and Basic Calculus; BIO 1100, BIO 1101, Principles of Biology 1 and 2; BIO 1600, BIO 1601, Principles of Biology 1 and 2 Labs; CHM 1111, CHM 1122, General Chemistry 1 and 2.
In addition, complete the arts and sciences core curriculum and the experiential education requirement.
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Geology Curriculum
GEO 1212, Physical Geology; GEO 1213, Physical Geology Lab; GEO 1222, Historical Geology; GEO 1223, Historical Geology Lab; GEO 1308, Petrology; GEO 1310, Descriptive Mineralogy; GEO 1440, Geomorphology; GEO 1438, Geology and Land-Use Planning; GEO 1442, Water in Environmental Planning; and eight geology electives.
MTH 1107, Functions and Basic Calculus; MTH 1108, Calculus; PHY 1221, PHY 1222, PHY 1223, Physics for Science and Engineering Students 1, 2, and 3 or BIO 1103, BIO 1104, BIO 1105, Principles of Biology 1, 2, and 3; CHM 1111, CHM 1122, General Chemistry 1 and 2; and CHM 1221, Analytical Chemistry or GEO 1412, Geochemistry; and two approved additional science electives.
In addition, complete the arts and sciences core curriculum and the experiential education requirement.
Minor in Environmental Geology Curriculum
GEO 1212, Physical Geology or GEO 1140, Environmental Geology; GEO 1213, Physical Geology Lab; GEO 1222, Historical Geology; GEO 1223, Historical Geology Lab; GEO 1438, Geology and Land-Use Planning or GEO 1442, Water in Environmental Planning; plus four geology electives (GEO 1250 or higher number) chosen with the approval of the geology department.