2010-2011 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog
Bachelor of Science in Geology
Requirements for a Major in Geology
Completion of a B.S. in Geology requires the following:
1. General Education Requirements
As identified in the General Academic Regulations section of the Grand Valley State University Graduate and Undergraduate Catalog.
2. Geology Courses
4550 semester hours of Geology courses with a minimum GPA of C (2.0):
- An approved Summer Field Camp in Geology (taught by another college or university) Credits: 5-8
- GEO electives - Two courses at the 300 or 400 level (geology theme courses cannot count toward the geology major) Credits: 6-8
- GEO 111 - Exploring the Earth (4 credits)
- GEO 112 - Earth History (5 credits)
- GEO 211 - Mineralogy (4 credits)
- GEO 212 - Petrology (5 credits)
- GEO 311 - Structural Geology (3 credits)
- GEO 312 - Sedimentation-Stratigraphy (4 credits)
- GEO 320 - Geomorphology (Earth Science Capstone) (4 credits)
- GEO 485 - Geology Seminar (1 credit)
- GEO 495 - Global Tectonics (Geology Capstone) (3 credits)
3. Cognate Science Courses
3235 semester hours of cognate Science courses in chemistry, physics, and mathematics, statistics, and computer science as outlined below:
a. Two Chemistry courses:
- CHM 115 - Principles of Chemistry I Credits: 5
- CHM 116 - Principles of Chemistry II Credits: 5
b. Two Physics courses
(one of the following pairs)
EITHER
OR
c. Two basic Mathematics courses:
- MTH 122 - College Algebra Credits: 3
- MTH 123 - Trigonometry Credits: 3
d. Two additional Mathematics, Statistics, or Computer Science courses
(one of the following pairs)
EITHER
OR
- STA 215 - Introductory Applied Statistics (3 credits)
- STA 216 - Intermediate Applied Statistics (3 credits)
OR
Suggested Order of Coursework for a Major in Geology
First Year
Fall Semester Credits: 15
- CHM 115 - Principles of Chemistry I Credits: 5
- GEO 111 - Exploring the Earth Credits: 4
- MTH 122 - College Algebra Credits: 3
- WRT 150 - Strategies in Writing Credits: 4
Winter Semester Credits: 16
- General education courses Credits: 6
- CHM 116 - Principles of Chemistry II (5 credits)
- GEO 112 - Earth History (5 credits)
Second Year
Fall Semester Credits: 16
- General education courses Credits: 6
- Geology elective Credits: 3
- GEO 211 - Mineralogy (4 credits)
- MTH 123 - Trigonometry (3 credits)
Winter Semester Credits: 14
- General education courses Credits: 9
- GEO 212 - Petrology (5 credits)
Third Year
Fall Semester Credits: 15
- General education course Credits: 3
- GEO 311 - Structural Geology (3 credits)
- GEO 320 - Geomorphology (Earth Science Capstone) (4 credits)
- MTH 201 - Calculus I (5 credits)
Winter Semester Credits: 16
- General education course Credits: 3
- GEO 312 - Sedimentation-Stratigraphy (4 credits)
- MTH 202 - Calculus II (4 credits)
- PHY 230 - Principles of Physics I (5 credits)
Summer Field Course Credits: 5-8
Fourth Year
Fall Semester Credits: 12-14
- Geology elective Credits: 3-5
- General education course Credits: 3
- GEO 485 - Geology Seminar (1 credit)
- PHY 231 - Principles of Physics II (5 credits)
Winter Semester Credits: 16
- General education course Credits: 3
- Geology elective Credits: 3
- Electives Credits: 6
- GEO 485 - Geology Seminar (1 credit)
- GEO 495 - Global Tectonics (Geology Capstone) (3 credits)