Geology and Earth Sciences Major
Angela Moore, Assistant Professor
Marlene L. McCauley, Professor
David M. Dobson, Associate Professor, Chair
Edward Stoddard, Visiting Professor of Geology
Geology, the study of the Earth, encompasses a variety of topics, including rocks, minerals, fossils, Earth history, plate tectonics, climate and weather, rivers, oceans and groundwater, mapping, sedimentology, natural hazards and environmental science. Geology is a firsthand experience at Guilford. Students are involved in hands-on field experiences, in laboratory work where answers are not known beforehand and in undergraduate research, which is presented to regional professional societies or to national conferences on undergraduate research. The program is centered on a core of courses that establish a firm academic foundation in geology as a science. In turn, this foundation serves as a springboard to graduate study, professional geology, teaching, art, environmental science, creative writing, law, resource management and geography.
Degrees Offered
The geology and earth sciences major is offered for either the Bachelor of Arts degree or the Bachelor of Science degree. The Bachelor of Science degree is for students with a professional interest in geology and earth sciences, who are interested in graduate work leading to an advanced degree in geology and earth sciences. The Bachelor of Arts degree allows more flexibility for students interested in pursuing an advanced degree in another field, or for those interested in working with the natural system in relation to other disciplines (e.g., teaching, law, social sciences, museum science, writing in the natural sciences).
Students pursuing either a B.S. or an A.B. in geology may also opt for a track in environmental geology.
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Geology & Earth Sciences
A graduate from this degree track will find employment in cross-disciplinary fields where a strong science background is critical but geology is not the primary focus of the work. As a geologist, the graduate would serve as a geologic technician in the laboratory or the field. As for graduate studies in geology, the graduate would generally be admitted to master’s studies provisionally, with a deficiency in mathematics and possibly physics.
The major requires a minimum of 48 credit hours (12 courses).
1. GEOL 121 Geology and the Environment or GEOL 141 Oceanography |
4 credits |
2. GEOL 122 Historical Geology |
4 credits |
3. GEOL 311 Optical Mineralogy |
4 credits |
4. GEOL 312 Petrology |
4 credits |
5. GEOL 335 Structural Geology |
4 credits |
6. GEOL 415 Paleontology |
4 credits |
7-8. Two elective lab courses |
8 credits |
Related Field Courses: Students must take one course in mathematics (above the 110 level), plus 3 more courses from among the following: |
|
9. Any MATH course above MATH 110 |
4 credits |
10-12. Three courses from: |
12 credits |
CHEM 111, 112, MATH 112, 115, 121, 122, EDUC 410, 420, PHYS 211, 212 or 121, 122 |
|
Total credits required for A.B. degree in geology and earth sciences
|
48 credits |
Students will work with their advisors to select the electives and related field courses that are most useful for their individual goals.
Bachelor of Science Degree in Geology & Earth Sciences
The Bachelor of Science degree is designed for students who intend to pursue graduate study in the earth sciences – geology, environmental science, geography, oceanography, paleontology, hydrology, geophysics, etc. This track requires the full suite of courses expected by the profession for technical work and for graduate study. The major requires a minimum of 60 credit hours (15 courses).
1. GEOL 121 Geology and the Environment or GEOL 141 Oceanography |
4 credits |
2. GEOL 122 Historical Geology |
4 credits |
3. GEOL 311 Optical Mineralogy |
4 credits |
4. GEOL 312 Petrology |
4 credits |
5. GEOL 335 Structural Geology |
4 credits |
6. GEOL 415 Paleontology |
4 credits |
7-8. Two elective lab courses |
8 credits |
9. Summer Field Camp |
4 credits |
|
|
|
Related Field Courses (included within the major): |
|
10. CHEM 111 Chemistry Principles I ` |
4 credits |
11. CHEM 112 Chemistry Principles II |
4 credits |
12. MATH 121 Calculus I |
4 credits |
13. MATH 122 Calculus II |
4 credits |
14. PHYS 121 Classical and Modern Physics I or PHYS 211 College Physics I |
4 credits |
15. PHYS 122 Classical and Modern Physics II or PHYS 212 College Physics II |
4 credits |
Total credits required for B.S. degree in geology and earth sciences |
60 credits |
The Track in Environmental Geology
Students pursuing either a B.S. or an A.B. in geology may opt for a track in environmental geology. This track provides a strong background in geology but is designed for students interested in environmental consulting or in pursuing graduate study in an environmental field.
1. GEOL 121 Geology and the Environment or GEOL 141 Oceanography |
4 credits |
2. GEOL 122 Historical Geology |
4 credits |
3. GEOL 223 Hydrology |
4 credits |
4. GEOL 340 Images of the Earth |
4 credits |
5-6. Plus two of the following: |
8 credits |
GEOL 335 Structural Geology |
|
GEOL 415 Paleontology |
|
Suggested electives: |
|
GEOL 416 Sedimentology and Stratigraphy |
|
7-8. Two elective lab courses |
8 credits |
Additional requirements for A.B. track in Environmental Geology |
|
9. Any MATH course above MATH 110 |
4 credits |
10-12. Three courses from: |
12 credits |
CHEM 111, 112, MATH 112, 115, 121, 122, EDUC 410 420, PHYS 211, 212 |
|
Total credits required for A.B. track in environmental geology |
48 credits |
Additional requirements for B.S. track in environmental geology |
|
9. Summer Field Course |
4 credits |
10. CHEM 111 Chemical Principles I |
4 credits |
11. CHEM 112 Chemical Principles II |
4 credits |
12. MATH 121 Calculus I |
4 credits |
13. MATH 122 Calculus II |
4 credits |
14. PHYS 121 Classical and Modern Physics I or PHYS 211 College Physics I |
4 credits |
15. PHYS 122 Classical and Modern Physics II or PHYS 212 College Physics II |
4 credits |
Total credits required for B.S. track in environmental geology |
60 credits |