BA Degree in Geology
The BA degree in geological sciences serves as a liberal arts degree with emphasis
on
the natural sciences and, with appropriate planning, as a preparatory degree for
graduate study and professional employment. The BA degree requires courses in
geology, several from the cognate sciences (biology, chemistry, physics and/or
mathematics), and a four-course area of specialization. An important aspect of the
program is the flexibility of the four-course specialization, which should be carefully
planned with the assistance of a faculty advisor. Final approval of the courses selected
for the four-course specialization should be secured from the undergraduate advisor
no
later than the student’s sixth semester. These four courses must establish a program
with a sound rationale, either in the geological sciences or in related fields.
For Students Matriculating in Fall 2020 or later
The BA degree requires 14 or more courses that include the following:
- The BA degree requires 14 or more courses that include the following:
- One four-credit 100-level geology course
- GEOL 213 or 301 (Note: GEOL 213 is intended only for those students who plan to follow the SUNY transfer path in geology)
- GEOL 302
- GEOL 303
- GEOL 304
- GEOL 311
- GEOL 344
- CHEM 104 (plus 106) or 107 or 111
- Two courses from among: any of BIOL 113, 114, 350, 370, and 371; any of CHEM
105, 108, 221, 231, 332, 341 and 351; MATH 147; the combination of MATH 224
and 225; the combination of MATH 226 and 227; MATH 304; MATH 323; any of
PHYS 121, 122, 131, 132 and 227 - Four courses in an area of specialization, which must be approved by the
department advisor no later than the student’s sixth semester
* Note: If GEOL 213 is chosen instead of GEOL 301, the four-course specialization must
include at least one upper-level (300 or higher) course.
For Students Who Matriculated Prior to Fall 2020
The BA degree requires 15 courses that include the following:
- One four-credit 100-level geology course
- GEOL 301 or 213
- GEOL 302 or 214
- GEOL 303 or 212
- GEOL 311 or 211
- Three geology courses at the 300 level or higher
- CHEM 104 (plus 106) or 107 or 111
- Two courses from among: any of BIOL 113 (or 118), 114 (or 117), 350, 370, and
371; any of CHEM 105, 108, 221, 231, 332, 341 and 351; MATH 147; the combination of MATH 224 and 225; the combination of MATH 226 and 227; MATH 304; MATH 323; any of PHYS 121, 122, 131, 132 and 227 - Four courses in an area of specialization, which must be approved by the department advisor no later than the student’s sixth semester
*Note: The cognate science courses and four-course specialization must include at least
two upper-level (300 or higher) courses.
BS Degree in Geology
The BS degree is intended as training for graduate school and professional
employment, with research, teaching and industry careers as the ultimate goals. The
BS
degree offers three tracks: geology, environmental geology, and geophysics.
Two of the required courses for the BS degree—MATH 224 and PHYS 121 or
131—may have prerequisites. If students do not place into MATH 224, then MATH 223
and, if needed, MATH 108 are also required for completion of the major. If students
do
not place into PHYS 121, then MATH 108 is also required for completion of the major.
In addition, the geophysics track requires PHYS 341. MATH 304 and 330 may be
required prerequisites to PHYS 341; students should check for current prerequisites
on
the physics program page. In addition to the required courses noted below, geology
majors are encouraged to gain experience with statistics, computer languages or
programming, and/or Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
BS students must take a field experience course (GEOL 401 or equivalent) for four-six
credits, generally in the summer following their junior year. They are encouraged
to
choose a course in the branch of the Earth sciences that most directly relates to
their
major track or career interest. The course must cover basic field techniques and skills,
followed by field experience with traditional geological, hydrogeological, geophysical
or
other approved applications.
For Students Matriculating Fall 2020 and later
The BS requirements are:
Cognate Science Requirements:
- Both MATH 224 and 225 and both MATH 226 and 227
- PHYS 131 and 132 OR PHYS 121 and 122
- All of CHEM 104, 105, and 106 OR both CHEM 107 and 108 OR CHEM 111
Departmental Requirements:
- One four-credit 100-level geology course
- GEOL 213 or 301 (note: GEOL 213 is intended only for students who plan to follow the SUNY transfer path in geology)
- GEOL 302
- GEOL 303
- GEOL 304
- GEOL 401 or equivalent (summer field experience)
- Additional courses, selected from one of the following tracks
GEOLOGY TRACK: GEOL 311; GEOL 344; and three GEOL electives 300 or higher.
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGY TRACK: GEOL 311; GEOL 344; three from the following list of courses: GEOL 342, GEOL 414, GEOL 416, GEOL 460, GEOL 465, GEOL 470.
GEOPHYSICS TRACK: MATH 324; PHYS 331, 332 and 341; GEOL 450; and one course selected from GEOL 344, GEOL 416, or GEOL 453.
For Students Who Matriculated Prior to Fall 2020
Cognate Science Requirements:
- Both MATH 224 and 225 AND both MATH 226 and 227
- PHYS 131 and 132 OR PHYS 121 and 122
- All of CHEM 104, 105, and 106 OR both CHEM 107 and 108 OR CHEM 111
Departmental Requirements:
- One four-credit 100-level geology course
- GEOL 301 or 213
- GEOL 302 or 214
- GEOL 303 or 212
- GEOL 311 or 211
- GEOL 401 or equivalent (summer field experience)
- Additional courses, selected from one of the following tracks
GEOLOGY TRACK: GEOL 423; GEOL 436 or 366; GEOL 344; and two GEOL electives above 300-level.
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGY TRACK: 342 or either 304 or 370; GEOL 416; GEOL 470; and two GEOL electives above 300-level
chosen from the following list of courses; GEOL 342
or either 304 or 370 (if not already taken), GEOL 465 or GEOL 436.
GEOPHYSICS TRACK: MATH 324; PHYS 331, 332 and 341; GEOL 450; and one course selected from GEOL 344 or 416.
For more inforamtion please visit the University Bulletin.
