Bachelor's Program in Geoscience - Program Requirements

School of Arts and Sciences Utica College Bachelor's Degree

Major in Geoscience

Bachelor of Science Bachelor of Arts

Program Details

Two degree options are offered.

The bachelor of science option is designed to prepare students to work in applied earth and environmental science or pursue graduate studies in geoscience or related disciplines. A capstone experience such as a field course, directed research, or internship will be required of students receiving the B.S. to integrate liberal and professional study.

The bachelor of arts option is designed to provide substantial breadth in science preparation by also including coursework in biology, environmental issues, and astronomy, allowing students greater flexibility in tailoring the degree to meet their needs and interests.

Total credit hours required for degree: 120 (BA), 128 (BS)

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

(See also General Education Core)

Course		Credit Hours	Year Taken
Core		34-55
Major Course Requirements
Foundations of Geoscience
Geology 115	Elementary Oceanography	3	1,2
Geology 225	Physical Geology¹	4	1,2
Geology 226	Historical Geology	4	1,2
Geology 325	Mineralogy	4	2,3
Geology 373	Sedimentology and Stratigraphy	4	3,4
Geology 398	Structural Geology and Tectonics	4	3,4
Geology 410	Geoscience Seminar (taken twice)	1x2	3,4
One of the following:
Geology 313	Introduction to Paleobiology	4	2,3
Geology 323	Hydrology and Society	4	2,3
Geology 333	Weather and Climate	4	3,4
		29
Major-Related Course Requirements
Chemistry 211	General Chemistry I	4	1,2
Mathematics 112	Basic Statistics	3	1,2
Physics 151 or 261	General Physics I or Physics I²	4	2,3
		11
Total Credits:		40
Additional Course Requirements
B.S. in Geoscience
Chemistry 212	General Chemistry II	4	2,3
Geology 326	Petrology	4	2,3
Mathematics 201	Calculus I	3	2,3
Mathematics 202	Calculus II	3	2,3
Physics 152 or 262	General Physics II or Physics II²	4	3,4
Electives in CHE, ENV, GOL, MAT, or PHY at or above 300-level		6-8	3,4
Capstone Experience in Geoscience - Select one the following:
Geology 450	Research in Geoscience	3	4
Geology 460	Field Experience in Geoscience³	3	4
Geology 470	Internship in Geoscience	3	4
		27-29
B.A. in Geoscience
Biology 211	General Biology I	4	2,3
Environmental Science 201	Introduction to Environmental Issues	3	2,3
Physics 116	Astronomy: A Study of the Universe	3	2,3
		10
Electives
The student must complete sufficient elective courses to earn at least the minimum credit hours required for this degree, and at least 64 credit hours of the 128 required for the B.S. or at least 90 credit hours of the 120 required for the B.A. must be in the liberal arts and sciences.

¹ Some students may develop an interest in geoscience while taking GOL 105 for Core. In such instances, students may substitute GOL 105 for GOL 225 by also successfully completing GOL 225 Lab while registered for 1 credit of GOL 390.

² For students interested in continuing on to graduate studies in earth and environmental science, the calculus-based physics courses PHY 261 and 262, for which MAT 201 Calculus II is a pre-requisite, are highly recommended.

³ The field course may be taken external to the college and the credits transferred. The department will maintain a list of pre-approved field courses and will consider others by petition.

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