Geology major leading to BS degree

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major in geology leading to a Bachelor of Science degree is recommended for students pursuing graduate school or employment in geology and consists of at least 57 credits as follows. Beginning with the Class of 2016, the major requires no thesis (except for students seeking honors) and only 53 credits.

One course chosen from GEOL 100, 101, or 105
CHEM 110, MATH 101, PHYS 111/113
At least 8 additional credits chosen from BIOL 111/113; BIOL 210 or higher; CHEM 165; CHEM 211 or higher; PHYS 112/114; PHYS 202 or higher
One course chosen from CSCI 121, GEOL 260, INTR 202, or MATH 102 or higher
At least 24 credits in geology at the 200 or 300 level and at least 7 credits at the 300 level, distributed as follows. (Courses may be used to meet more than one requirement in this category.)
1. Field skills: one course chosen from GEOL 230, 231, 275
2. Solid earth: one course chosen from GEOL 211, 250, 275, 360
3. Hydrosphere/biosphere/atmosphere: one course chosen from GEOL 141, 205, 311
4. Surface processes: one course chosen from GEOL 240, 247, 330
5. Two lab courses chosen from GEOL 211, 240, 247, 250
6. One lab course chosen from GEOL 311, 330
Thesis: at least four credits from either GEOL 472(2-2) or GEOL 493(3-3)
Additional credits chosen from Engineering; Geology; Mathematics; BIOL 111/113; BIOL 140: BIOL 210 or higher; CHEM 106; CHEM 156; CHEM 165 or higher; CSCI 112 or higher; PHYS 133; PHYS 150 or higher
A comprehensive examination in geology.

1. One course chosen from:

2. Additional required courses:

3. At least 8 additional credits chosen from:

BIOL 111 - Fundamentals of Biology 111
BIOL 113 - Biology Laboratory 113
BIOL 210 - Human Parasitology 210 or higher
CHEM 165 - Dynamic Systems Modeling and the Global Climate 165
CHEM 211 - Analytical Chemistry 211 or higher
PHYS 112 - General Physics II 112
PHYS 114 - General Physics Laboratory II 114
PHYS 202 - Relativity 202 or higher

4. One course chosen from:

5. At least 24 credits in geology at the 200 or 300 level and at least 7 credits at the 300 level, distributed as follows.

(Courses may be used to meet more than one requirement in this category.)

a. Field skills:

one course chosen from:

b. Solid earth:

one course chosen from:

c. Hydrosphere/biosphere/atmosphere:

one course chosen from:

d. Surface processes:

one course chosen from:

e. Two lab courses chosen from:

f. One lab course chosen from:

6. Thesis:

at least four credits from either:

GEOL 472 - Senior Research Thesis 472 (2-2)
or
GEOL 493 - Honors Thesis 493 (3-3)

7. Additional credits chosen from:

Engineering
Geology
Mathematics
BIOL 111 - Fundamentals of Biology 111
BIOL 113 - Biology Laboratory 113
BIOL 140 - Natural History of Rockbridge County 140
BIOL 210 - Human Parasitology 210 or higher
CHEM 106 - Disorder and Chaos 106
CHEM 156 - Science in Art 156
CHEM 165 - Dynamic Systems Modeling and the Global Climate 165 or higher
CSCI 112 - Fundamentals of Programming II 112 or higher
PHYS 150 - The Immense Journey: Harmonices Mundi 150 or higher

Geology major leading to BS degree

1. One course chosen from:

2. Additional required courses:

3. At least 8 additional credits chosen from:

4. One course chosen from:

5. At least 24 credits in geology at the 200 or 300 level and at least 7 credits at the 300 level, distributed as follows.

a. Field skills:

b. Solid earth:

c. Hydrosphere/biosphere/atmosphere:

d. Surface processes:

e. Two lab courses chosen from:

f. One lab course chosen from:

6. Thesis:

7. Additional credits chosen from:

8. A comprehensive examination in geology.