Bachelor of Science in Geology

Geology exists as a science to satisfy the needs of modern society for earth’s abundant natural resources and to ensure sustainable practices for future generations. The Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences offers two different geology degrees; the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Science. Both programs prepare graduates for employment, however the Bachelor of Science is considered the flagship degree as its more rigorous curriculum provides significant employment advantages and prepares graduates for admission to Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs. The dominant fields of employment include:

  • Engineering geology
  • Water resources
  • Construction
  • Hydrogeology
  • Petroleum geology
  • Environmental geology
  • Geophysics
  • Mining
  • Government regulation and compliance work
  • Employment related to the energy industry

The Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Science degrees in Geology can be completed in eight semesters if students average 16 hours of coursework per semester.

For more information, visit the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences

The Bachelor of Science in Applied Geology degree requires the successful completion of a minimum of 91 s.h. of core and elective courses. These courses include a Geology capstone experience of Geology Field Camp which is normally completed during summer following the junior year. Alternatively, students may opt for an internship (STEM 4890 STEM Internship) experience or a Senior Thesis research experience (GEOL 4830 Senior Thesis).

COURSE TITLE S.H.
FIRST YEAR REQUIREMENT -STUDENT SUCCESS
YSU 1500Success Seminar1-2
or SS 1500 Strong Start Success Seminar
or HONR 1500 Intro to Honors
General Education Requirements
ENGL 1550Writing 13-4
or ENGL 1549 Writing 1 with Support
ENGL 1551Writing 23
CMST 1545Communication Foundations3
Mathematics Requirement (met with MATH in major)
Arts and Humanities (6 s.h.)6
Natural Sciences (2 courses, 1 with lab) (6-7 s.h.) Met with courses in the major
Social Science (6 s.h.)6
Social and Personal Awareness (6 s.h.)6
Major Requirements
GEOL 1505Physical Geology4
ENST 2600
2600L
Foundations of Environmental Science
and Foundations of Environmental Science Laboratory
4
GEOL 2605Historical Geology4
GEOL 2600Geology in the Field1
GEOG 2611Geospatial Foundations3
GEOL 3711Mineralogy3
GEOL 3717Petrology3
GEOL 3705Structures and Landscapes4
GEOL 3708Geological Field Methods2
GEOL 3750Geoscience Seminar must be taken twice in fall terms for a total of 2 hours2
GEOL 3755Geological Research Methods and Data Analysis3
GEOL 5802Sedimentology and Stratigraphy3
GEOG 3701Introduction to Geographic Information Science3
Capstone Experience
Select one of the following:4
GEOL 48XX Field Camp (4 s.h. minimum)
STEM Internship (4 s.h. maximum)
Senior Thesis
Electives
Select a minimum 24 s.h. of Upper Division elective courses (at least 2 courses must be non GEOL):24
Environmental Chemistry
and Environmental Chemistry Lab
Glacial Geology
Geology of Economic Mineral Deposits
Subsurface Investigations
Petroleum Geology of the Appalachian Basin
Principles of Paleontology
GEOL 3716
Water Quality Analysis
and Water Quality Analysis Lab
Field Investigations in Geology
Environmental Research
Environmental Sampling Methods
Ground Water
Engineering Geology
GIS Applications to Geology
Tectonics
Geophysical Well Log Analysis
Special Topics
Special Problems in Geology
Introduction to Energy Resources
Groundwater Resource Evaluation
Environmental Safety
Advanced Geographic Information Science
Geology and the Environment 2
Environmental Geochemistry
Environmental Regulations
Ancillary Science Courses
CHEM 1515
1515L
General Chemistry 1
and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory
4
CHEM 1516
1516L
General Chemistry 2
and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory
4
MATH 1570Applied Calculus 14
or MATH 1571 Calculus 1
STAT 3717Statistical Methods4
or MATH 1572 Calculus 2
PHYS 1501
1501L
Fundamentals of Physics 1
and Fundamentals of Physics Laboratory 1
5
or PHYS 2610 General Physics 1
PHYS 1502
1502L
Fundamentals of Physics 2
and Fundamentals of Physics Laboratory 2
4
or PHYS 2611 General Physics 2
Total Prescribed Semester Hours: 120-122 s.h.
Total Semester Hours120-122
Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallS.H.
YSU 1500
Success Seminar
or Strong Start Success Seminar
1-2
GEOL 1505
1505L
Physical Geology
and Physical Geology Laboratory
4
ENGL 1550
Writing 1
or Writing 1 with Support
3-4
GEOL 2600 Geology in the Field 1
CHEM 1515
1515L
General Chemistry 1
and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory
4
 Semester Hours13-15
Spring
GEOL 2605 Historical Geology 4
ENGL 1551 Writing 2 3
GEOG 2626 World Geography 3
GEOG 2611 Geospatial Foundations 3
CHEM 1516
1516L
General Chemistry 2
and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory
4
 Semester Hours17
Year 2
Fall
GEOL 3711 Mineralogy 3
GEOG 3701 Introduction to Geographic Information Science 3
MATH 1570 Applied Calculus 1 4
PHIL 1565 Critical Thinking 3
Upper Division Elective 3
 Semester Hours16
Spring
GEOL 3717 Petrology 3
STAT 3717 Statistical Methods 4
Upper Division Elective 3
ENST 2600
2600L
Foundations of Environmental Science
and Foundations of Environmental Science Laboratory
4
CMST 1545 Communication Foundations 3
 Semester Hours17
Year 3
Fall
GEOL 3708 Geological Field Methods 2
GEOL 3755 Geological Research Methods and Data Analysis 3
PHYS 1501
1501L
Fundamentals of Physics 1
and Fundamentals of Physics Laboratory 1
5
GEOL 3750 Geoscience Seminar 1
Upper Division Elective 3
PHIL 2625 Introduction to Professional Ethics 3
 Semester Hours17
Spring
PHYS 1502
1502L
Fundamentals of Physics 2
and Fundamentals of Physics Laboratory 2
4
GEOG 2650 3
Upper Division Elective 3
ENST 5810 Environmental Safety (Recommended Upper Division Elective) 3
 Semester Hours13
Year 4
Fall
GEOL 3750 Geoscience Seminar 1
GER Social Personal Awareness 3
Upper Division Elective 3
Upper Division Elective 3
Upper Division Elective 4
 Semester Hours14
Spring
GEOL 3750 Geoscience Seminar 1
GEOL 5802 Sedimentology and Stratigraphy 3
Upper Division Elective 3
Upper Division Elective 3
Spa Gen Ed Elective Course 3
 Semester Hours13
 Total Semester Hours120-122
COURSE TITLE S.H.
Capstone Experience Options
GEOL 48XXGeology Field Camp: Preferred (Summer Junior or Senior Year) 4-6
STEM 4890STEM Internship (Optional (Summer Junior or Senior Year))4
GEOL 4830Senior Thesis (Restricted)4

Learning Outcomes

The learning outcomes for the Bachelor of Science in Applied Geology are as follows:

  •  Communicate effectively using the language, concepts, and models of geology in written, visual, and numerical formats.
  •  Properly apply the scientific method to research a geologic problem and formulate conclusions.
  •  Demonstrate ability to apply appropriate field- and laboratory-based methods (of acquiring, quantitatively and qualitatively analyzing, and interpreting geologic data and information).
  •  Demonstrate understanding of plate tectonics regarding the petrologic, stratigraphic, and structural evolution of continents and oceans.