Geology, Geosciences, B.S.

1. University Core Curriculum Requirements

A. Communication

Three hours from:

ENG 131 - Rhetoric and Composition Credit(s): 3
or
ENG 133 - Honors Composition: Analysis, Argument and Research Credit(s): 3

Three hours from:

COM 111 - Public Speaking Credit(s): 3
COM 170 - Interpersonal Communication I Credit(s): 3
COM 215 - Teamwork and Group Communication Credit(s): 3

B. Mathematics

Three hours from:

MTH 233 - Calculus I Credit(s): 3

C. Life and Physical Sciences

Six hours from:

BIO 131 - Principles of Botany Credit(s): 3
BIO 133 - Principles of Zoology Credit(s): 3
or
PHY 131 - Mechanics and Heat Credit(s): 3
PHY 132 - Electricity, Sound and Light Credit(s): 3

D. Language, Philosophy and Culture

Three hours from:

ENG 200 - Introduction to Literature Credit(s): 3
ENG 209 - Introduction to Mythology Credit(s): 3
ENG 211 - World Literature to 1650 Credit(s): 3
ENG 212 - World Literature from 1650 Credit(s): 3
ENG 221 - British Literature to 1800 Credit(s): 3
ENG 222 - British Literature from 1800 Credit(s): 3
ENG 229 - American Literature to 1865 Credit(s): 3
ENG 230 - American Literature from 1865 Credit(s): 3
ENG 233H - Literary Genres Credit(s): 3
HIS 151 - Western Civilization to 1500 Credit(s): 3
HIS 152 - Western Civilization Since 1500 Credit(s): 3
HIS 161 - World History to 1500 Credit(s): 3
HIS 162 - World History Since 1500 Credit(s): 3
PHI 153 - Introduction to Philosophy Credit(s): 3
PHI 223 - Introduction to Ethics Credit(s): 3

E. Creative Arts

Three hours from:

ART 280 - Art Appreciation Credit(s): 3
ART 281 - Art History Survey I Credit(s): 3
ART 282 - Art History Survey II Credit(s): 3
DAN 140 - Dance Appreciation Credit(s): 3
MHL 245 - Intro to Music Literature Credit(s): 3
MUS 140 - Music Appreciation Credit(s): 3
THR 161 - Theatre Appreciation Credit(s): 3
THR 163 - Film and Culture Credit(s): 3

F. American History

Six hours from:

HIS 133 - U.S. History Survey, 1000-1877 Credit(s): 3
HIS 134 - U.S. History Survey, 1877-Present Credit(s): 3

G. Government/Political Science

Six hours from:

PSC 141 - Introduction to American Government: Theory and Politics Credit(s): 3
PSC 142 - Introduction to American Government: Structure and Functions Credit(s): 3

H. Social and Behavioral Sciences

Three hours from:

ANT 231 - Cultural Anthropology Credit(s): 3
ECO 231 - Principles of Macroeconomics Credit(s): 3
ECO 232 - Principles of Microeconomics Credit(s): 3
GEO 131 - World Regional Geography Credit(s): 3
PSY 133 - General Psychology Credit(s): 3
SOC 137 - Introduction to Sociology Credit(s): 3

I. Component Area Option

Six hours from:

ENG 132 - Research and Argument Credit(s): 3
and
ENG 273 - Technical and Scientific Writing Credit(s): 3

2. Foundation of Knowledge

MTH 220 - Introduction to Probability and Statistics Credit(s): 3
CHE 133 - General Chemistry I Credit(s): 3
CHE 133L - General Chemistry I Lab Credit(s): 1
CHE 134 - General Chemistry II Credit(s): 3
CHE 134L - General Chemistry II Lab Credit(s): 1
CSC 101 - Introduction to Computing Credit(s): 3
or
CSC 121 - Introduction to Information Processing Systems Credit(s): 3
MTH 233L - Calculus I Lab Credit(s): 1
PHY 131L - Mechanics and Heat Laboratory Credit(s): 1
PHY 132L - Electricity, Sound and Light Laboratory Credit(s): 1
or
BIO 131L - Principles of Botany Lab Credit(s): 1
or
BIO 133L - Principles of Zoology Lab Credit(s): 1

3. Geology Major

43 hours from:

GOL 131 - Introductory Geology Credit(s): 3
GOL 131L - Introductory Geology Lab Credit(s): 1
GOL 132 - Historical Geology Credit(s): 3
GOL 132L - Historical Geology Lab Credit(s): 1
GOL 241 - Mineralogy Credit(s): 3
GOL 242 - Igneous & Metamorphic Petrology Credit(s): 3
GOL 338 - Structural Geology Credit(s): 3
GOL 364 - Field Geology Credit(s): 6
GOL 408 - Stratigraphy and Sedimentation Credit(s): 3
GOL 420 - Geochemistry Credit(s): 3
GOL 432 - Petroleum Geology and Fossil Fuels Credit(s): 3
GOL 435 - Introduction to Geophysics Credit(s): 3
GOL 449 - Hydrogeology Credit(s): 3
GOL 472L - Field Methods Credit(s): 1
GOL 479 - Senior Seminar Credit(s): 1

Note:

A minimum grade of C is required in all geology courses numbered 200 or higher to receive the B.S. in geology. Students must complete CHE 133 and CHE 134 ; PHY 131 and PHY 132 or BIO 131 and BIO 133 ; and MTH 220 and MTH 233 with all co-requisite courses before then can register for GOL 338 , GOL 364 , GOL 408 , GOL 420 and GOL 443 .

4. Geosciences Concentration

GIS 201 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems Credit(s): 3
GOL 476 - Geoscience Research Credit(s): 1-3
and 3 hrs from:
CHE 231 - Quantitative Analysis Credit(s): 4
CHE 241 - Inorganic Chemistry Credit(s): 3
CHE 330 - Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry Credit(s): 3
CHE 331 - Organic Chemistry I Credit(s): 3
CSC 102 - Computer Science Principles Credit(s): 3
ENV 110 - Introduction to Environmental Science Credit(s): 3
ENV 310 - Environmental Health and Safety Credit(s): 3
ENV 349 - Environmental Soil Science Credit(s): 3
ENV 412 - Environmental Hydrology Credit(s): 3
ENV 450 - Air Quality Assessment Credit(s): 3
GIS 224 - Introduction to Spatial Science Credit(s): 3
GIS 301 - GIS Applications Credit(s): 3
GIS 410 - Landscape Modeling Credit(s): 3
GIS 425 - Mobile and Field GIS Credit(s): 3
MTH 234 - Calculus II Credit(s): 3
STA 320 - Statistical Methods Credit(s): 3
STA 321 - Nonparametric Statistics Credit(s): 3
and 9 hrs from:
GOL 303 - Oceanography Credit(s): 3
GOL 330 - Geomorphology Credit(s): 3
GOL 332 - North American Geology Credit(s): 3
GOL 342 - Planetary Geology Credit(s): 3
GOL 350 - Environmental Geology Credit(s): 3
GOL 361 - Invertebrate Paleontology Credit(s): 3
GOL 410 - Engineering Geology Credit(s): 3
GOL 422 - Geoenvironmental Characterization Credit(s): 3
GOL 430 - Fundamentals of Plate Tectonics Credit(s): 3
GOL 433 - Petroleum Exploration Techniques Credit(s): 3
GOL 440 - Earth Resources Credit(s): 3
GOL 444 - Geoanalytical Methods Credit(s): 3
GOL 445 - Geochronology Credit(s): 3
GOL 450 - Cave and Karst Systems Credit(s): 3

Grade Requirements

A grade of at least C in each freshman English course (ENG 131 , ENG 132 )
A C average in work completed in the major field
A C average in work completed in the minor field

The required averages are based on those SFA courses taken in each category that are included in the student’s official degree plan (CAPP). Transfer and advanced placement coursework are not included in GPA calculations.

Texas Success Initiative Program

All students must satisfy provisions of the Texas Success Initiative program. See TSI information elsewhere in this bulletin.