Undergraduate Study - B.S. Track

B.S. Track Emphasizing Basic Science and Research

This alternate B.S. major track allows for a more flexible coursework program that will be tailored to the student’s individual goals and requires the student to work with an advisor on a research thesis.   

Application to the degree track

A student must have received a minimum combined grade point average of 3.0 in 24 credits of the required support courses (see below) as well as in the GG100-level sequence (GG101 or 103 and GG101L; or GG170), GG200, and GG250.  The application will consist of a-one-page statement of the student’s objectives and research interests, presented to a GG departmental undergraduate advisor. 

Research Experience

A thesis supervisor and topic should be identified in the student’s second-to-last year in the program.  The thesis work will be done in at least 6 (but not more than 9) credit hours of GG499 Senior Thesis.  The thesis work will be presented in writing, following the style of a scientific article, and orally in a public seminar.  The thesis will be evaluated by both the research supervisor and a departmental undergraduate advisor. 

Course Requirements

·  Required Support Courses (32 credits)

• Chemistry:  CHEM 161 (3), 161L (1), 162 (3), 162L (1)
• Calculus I and II:  MATH 241 (4)  and 242 (4)
• Physics:  PHYS 170 (4), 170L (1), 272 (3), 272L (1)
• Biology:  BIO 171 (3), 171L (1), 172 (3), 172L(1)

·  Required GG Courses (22 credits)

• GG170 Physical Geology (4) (or GG 101 Dynamic Earth (3), or GG103 Geology of the Hawaiian Islands (3) and 101L Dynamic Earth Laboratory)
• GG 200 Geological Inquiry (4)
• GG 250 Scientific Programming (3)
• GG 313 Geological Data Analysis (3)
• GG 410 Research Seminar (2)
• GG 499 Undergraduate Thesis (6)

·  Upper Division GG Electives (25 credits)

See the Upper Division Science Electives listing under the BA program.  Note that with consent from the GG student advisor, credits from upper division courses in mathematics, physical sciences or natural sciences can also be applied to satisfying the upper division credits requirement. At least 12 upper division elective credits must be GG courses.