2012-2013 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 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog.
2. Geology Courses
37-42 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 towards the geology major) Credits: 6-8
- GEO 111 - Exploring the Earth (4 credits)
- GEO 112 - Earth History (4 credits)
- GEO 175 - Research Tools for Geosciences (1 credit)
- GEO 311 - Structural Geology (4 credits)
- GEO 312 - Sedimentation-Stratigraphy (4 credits)
- GEO 320 - Geomorphology (Earth Science Capstone) (4 credits)
- GEO 485 - Geology Seminar (1 credit) (taken two semesters in one academic year)
- GEO 495 - Global Tectonics (Geology Capstone) (3 credits)
3. B.S. Degree Cognate Courses
11 semester credit hours of general education B.S. degree cognate courses with a minimum GPA of 2.0.
4. Cognate Science Courses
32-35 semester hours of cognate science courses in chemistry, physics, and mathematics, statistics, and computer science as outlined below:
a. Two Chemistry Courses:
b. Two Physics Courses:
(one of the following pairs)
EITHER
OR
c. A Basic Mathematics Course:
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 (4 credits)
- GEO 175 - Research Tools for Geosciences (1 credit)
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: 13
- General education courses Credits: 9
- GEO 212 - Petrology (4 credits)
Third Year
Fall Semester Credits: 16
- General education course Credits: 3
- GEO 311 - Structural Geology (4 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)