Undergraduate Study - BS in Geology and Geophysics

Requirements

This BS degree is designed for students interested in pursuing graduate work or employment in areas related to geology and geophysics. It provides the essential grounding in computational, analytical, and observational skills needed in earth science. The program is interdisciplinary, emphasizing the integration of chemistry, physics, and mathematics to studying the Earth.

The BS in Geology and Geophysics (GG) requires completion of 124 credit hours of coursework, the equivalent of four years of full-time study. Of this, 48 credits are required in the GG curriculum, including one introductory level geology course with a lab, ten non-introductory level GG courses, a two-credit research seminar, and eleven credits of GG electives. With advice and consent of an undergraduate advisor, courses in other natural sciences, mathematics, or engineering can also be taken as electives. A mainland summer field course is an elective, which students are strongly encouraged to take. An undergraduate thesis is also encouraged but not required. The required supporting science classes (28-29 credits) include physics, chemistry, biological science, and college calculus, and should be taken as early as possible.

Geology and Geophysics Courses

· Required GG Courses (37 credits)

GG 101 Dynamic Earth (3), or GG103 Geology of the Hawaiian Islands(3), or GG170 Physical Geology (4)
GG 101L Dynamic Earth Laboratory (1) (unless GG 170 is taken)
GG 200 Geological Inquiry (4)
GG 250 Scientific Programming (3)
GG 301 Mineralogy (4)
GG 302 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology (3)
GG 303 Structural Geology (3)
GG 304 Physics of the Earth and Planets (4) or GG450 Geophysical Methods (4)
GG 305 Geological Field Methods (3)
GG 309 Sedimentology and Stratigraphy (4)
GG 325 Fundamentals of Geochemistry (3)
GG 410 Research Seminar (2)

· Upper Division GG Electives (11 credits)

See the Upper Division Science Electives listing under the BA program. With advice and consent of an undergraduate adviser, courses in other natural sciences, mathematics, or engineering may be substituted as electives.

· Required Support Courses (28-29 credits)