Geology, B.S.

The Bachelor of Science in Geology (BS-GEOL) provides students with the tools and skills necessary to observe, interpret, understand, and be stewards of the natural world, including the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. The program offers opportunities for hands-on experience in a variety of topics including plate tectonics, sedimentary processes, paleontology, mineralogy, petrology, geochemistry, structures, geomorphology, (paleo)climatology, and hydrology. The program is by nature interdisciplinary, integrating and applying concepts from physics, chemistry, statistics, and other quantitative subjects to questions about earth and planetary science and their interactions with humans, society, and the environment. The program prepares students for graduate programs in earth and environmental sciences, and careers in environmental and geotechnical consulting, geologic engineering, resource management, education and outreach, state and federal government agencies, and energy and mineral resource exploration.

Program Requirements

Graduation Requirements

1. Completion of a minimum of 120 semester credits, with a minimum of 40 upper-division credits.
2. Overall grade point average of 2.0 (C) or above.
3. Grade of C- or better in every ENVT, GEO, GEOG, and METO course.
4. Residency hours--minimum of 30 credit hours through course attendance at UVU, with at least 10 hours earned in the last 45 hours.
5. Completion of an exit interview with the department chair and a Qualtrics Exit Survey prior to graduation.
6. Completion of GE and specified departmental requirements.
7. Successful completion of at least one Global/Intercultural course.
8. Successful completion of at least two Writing Enriched (WE) courses.

Graduation Plan

This graduation plan is a sample plan and is intended to be a guide. Your specific plan may differ based on your Math and English placement and/or transfer credits applied. You are encouraged to meet with an advisor and set up an individualized graduation plan in Wolverine Track.

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
Semester 1		Credit Hours
ENGL 1010	Introduction to Academic Writing CC	3
GEO 1010 or GEO 1030 or GEO 1040 or GEO 1050	Introduction to Geology PP or Natural Disasters and the Environment PP or The Dinosaurian World PP or Geology of National Parks PP	3
GEO 1015	Introduction to Geology Laboratory	1
American Institutions		3
MATH 1210	Calculus I QL	4
	Credit Hours	14
Semester 2
GEO 1220	Historical Geology	3
GEO 1225	Historical Geology Laboratory	1
ENGL 2010	Intermediate Academic Writing CC	3
Fine Art		3
MATH 1220	Calculus II	4
	Credit Hours	14
Second Year
Semester 3
CHEM 1210	Principles of Chemistry I PP	4
CHEM 1215	Principles of Chemistry I Laboratory	1
HLTH 1100 or EXSC 1097	Personal Health and Wellness TE or Fitness for Life TE	2
Geology Elective		3
BIOL 1010	General Biology BB	3
PHIL 205G	Ethics and Values IH GI	3
	Credit Hours	16
Semester 4
GEO 2500	Introduction to Field Geology	3
CHEM 1220	Principles of Chemistry II PP	4
CHEM 1225	Principles of Chemistry II Laboratory	1
Geology Elective		3
PHYS 2210	Physics for Scientists and Engineers I PP	4
	Credit Hours	15
Third Year
Semester 5
PHYS 2220 & PHYS 2225	Physics for Scientists and Engineers II PP and Physics for Scientists and Engineers II Lab	5
GEO 3080	Earth Materials WE	3
GEO 3085	Earth Materials Laboratory	1
GEO 3200 & GEO 3205 or GEO 3500 and GEO 3505 or GEOG 3500 and GEOG 3505	Geologic Hazards or Geomorphology WE and Geomorphology Lab or Geomorphology WE and Geomorphology Lab	4
Geology Elective		3
	Credit Hours	16
Semester 6
STAT 2040	Principles of Statistics QL	4
GEOG 3600	Introduction to Geographic Information Systems	4
GEO 4790	Hydrogeology	4
GEO 480R	Earth Science Seminar	0.5
Humanities		3
	Credit Hours	15.5
Fourth Year
Semester 7
GEO 3700	Structure and Tectonics	4
GEO 4500	Sedimentary Geology WE	4
Geology Elective		3
Geology Elective		3
	Credit Hours	14
Semester 8
Geology Elective		4
Geology Elective		2
Social/Behavioral Science Course		3
GEO 480R	Earth Science Seminar	.5
GEO 4600	Field Experience	6
	Credit Hours	15.5
	Total Credit Hours	120

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Apply the processes encompassed within the rock cycle to geologic questions, including identifying and interpreting Earth materials.
2. Interpret Earth processes within the unifying theory of plate tectonics and other scientific laws and theories.
3. Evaluate geologic processes within the context of deep time using the geologic time scale and dating tools.
4. Employ modern scientific methods to address relevant Earth science problems.
5. Communicate Earth science findings orally, visually, and in writing to a wide audience including laypeople and scientific peers.