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William P. Anderson, Jr., Chair

The fundamental purpose of the Department of Geology is to promote a scientific understanding of earth systems - an awareness essential to an environmentally sound and sustainable future for the human race. The specific purposes of the Department of Geology are:

1. To provide all students with the opportunity to learn about the nature of science and basic scientific principles through the study of geology
2. To introduce students to the many ways in which geology is interwoven into the fabric of modern civilization
3. To provide students with an understanding of the interrelationships of the basic parts of Earth Systems
4. To provide students who seek a career in geology with the sound background for productive work in the profession and in graduate studies
5. To provide present and future teachers with the knowledge and methods necessary for competent instruction in the earth and environmental sciences
6. To provide members of the public with the opportunity to gain a better understanding of the Earth Systems of which they are a part

A major in geology leading to either the Bachelor of Arts degree or the Bachelor of Science (non-teaching) degree is appropriate for those students who intend to pursue graduate studies in Geology. The Bachelor of Science (non-teaching) degree is recommended for students who seek a career at the Bachelor degree level.

Honors Program in Geology

The Department of Geology offers an honors program in geology. Admission to the honors program requires completion of GLY 2250  (Evolution of the Earth lecture and lab) and a minimum grade-point average, both overall and in the major, of 3.40. To graduate with “honors in geology,” a student must have a minimum grade point average of 3.45, overall and in geology, and must take a total of nine semester hours of geology with honors at the 2000 level or above with a grade of “B” or better in each course. The required honors thesis in geology is the three-credit course GLY 4510  (Senior Honors Thesis). The Geology Honors Thesis must be approved by two readers, with the thesis director from the Department of Geology, in order to graduate with honors in geology.

Programs

• Geology - Environmental Geology Concentration, BS
• Geology - Paleontology Concentration, BS
• Geology - Quantitative Geoscience Concentration, BS
• Geology - Secondary Education Concentration, BS
• Geology, BS

• Geology, BA

• Geology Minor

Courses

• GLY 1010 - General Geology Laboratory (1)
• GLY 1101 - Introduction to Physical Geology (4)
• GLY 1102 - Introduction to Historical Geology (4)
• GLY 1103 - Environmental Change, Hazards, and Resources (4)
• GLY 1104 - Water: Mountains to Sea (4)
• GLY 1105 - Oceanography (4)
• GLY 1510 - Geological Science Honors-Physical (4)
• GLY 1511 - Geological Science Honors-Historical (4)
• GLY 1842 - Dinosaurs: Then and Now (3)
• GLY 2250 - Evolution of the Earth (4)
• GLY 2301 - The History of Coal from the Pennsylvanian to the Present (3)
• GLY 2500 - Independent Study (1-4)
• GLY 2745 - Preparation of Geologic Reports (4)
• GLY 3025 - Principles of Paleontology (3)
• GLY 3110 - Environmental Regulation and Enforcement (3)
• GLY 3131 - Geochemistry (3)
• GLY 3150 - Principles of Structural Geology and Tectonics (3)
• GLY 3160 - Introduction to Geophysics (3)
• GLY 3220 - Fundamentals of Mineralogy (3)
• GLY 3333 - Geomorphology (3)
• GLY 3455 - Quantitative Data Analysis for Earth and Environmental Scientists (3)
• GLY 3500 - Independent Study (1-4)
• GLY 3520 - Instructional Assistance (1)
• GLY 3521 - Secondary Science Field Experience (1)
• GLY 3530-3549 - Selected Topics (1-4)
• GLY 3680 - Geoarchaeology (3)
• GLY 3703 - Issues in Environmental Geology (3)
• GLY 3715 - Petrology and Petrography (3)
• GLY 3800 - Sedimentology and Stratigraphy (3)
• GLY 4110 - Environmental Management and Impact Analysis (3)
• GLY 4210 - Geology Seminar (1)
• GLY 4501 - Senior Research (1-3)
• GLY 4510 - Senior Honors Thesis (3)
• GLY 4630 - Hydrogeology (3)
• GLY 4705 - Advanced Environmental and Engineering Geology (3)
• GLY 4835 - Summer Field Geology (6)

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