Geology: Applied Environmental Geoscience Emphasis - BA, BS

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College of Science

Department of Geosciences

About This Degree

Geology is the part of broader Earth Science that examines the solid Earth, its composition, history, structure, and how it interacts with the hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere.

In this study of how Earth works, geoscientists integrate knowledge of biology, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, and physics. Geologists help us gain energy, mineral, and water resources and evaluate and mitigate hazards due to earthquakes, floods, landslides, and volcanic eruptions, as well as waste disposal and global environmental change.

Students receive a BS by completing all required courses in the major. To receive a BA, students must also gain proficiency in one or more foreign languages.

Applied Environmental Geoscience Emphasis: Applied environmental geoscience is an interdisciplinary program, with a broader range of coursework than the traditional degree in geology. Students take geology courses and study the earth’s history, composition, and structure, but also take courses in areas such as watershed sciences, soils, biology, statistics, and GIS/remote sensing. This degree is for students interested in studying the geosciences, having a multidisciplinary degree and going on to careers in environmental fields.

For more information about Geology, see the Geosciences Department.
Admitted or current students must meet with an advisor.
Log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.
The highest math requirement for this degree is MATH 1210: Calculus I (QL) .

Minimum University Requirements

Total Credits: 120
Credits of C- or better: 100
Total credits taken through USU: 30
Total major required credits taken at USU: 10
Minimum Grade Point Average (many majors require a higher GPA): 2.0 GPA
Credits of upper-division courses (#3000 or above): 40
Upper-division credits taken at USU: 20
General Education Requirements
University Studies Requirements
Undergraduate Degree Requirements

Admission Requirements For This Program

New freshmen must be admitted to USU in Good Standing.
Transfer students from other institutions or other programs at USU must have a 2.75 GPA.

Major Requirements

Geology Core Requirements (49 credits)

GEO 1110 - Physical Geology (BPS) 3 credit(s)
GEO 1115 - Physical Geology Laboratory 1 credit(s)
GEO 2200 - The Earth Through Time 3 credit(s) or
GEO 1220 - Historical Geology 3 credit(s)
GEO 2205 - Earth Through Time Laboratory 1 credit(s) or
GEO 1225 - Historical Geology Laboratory 1 credit(s)
GEO 2800 - Minerals and Rocks 4 credit(s)
GEO 3400 - Communicating Geoscience (CI/DSC) 3 credit(s)
GEO 3550 - Sedimentation and Stratigraphy 4 credit(s)
GEO 3600 - Geomorphology 4 credit(s)
GEO 3700 - Structural Geology 4 credit(s)
GEO 3900 - Geologic Field Methods (CI) 3 credit(s)
CHEM 1210 - Principles of Chemistry I 4 credit(s)
CHEM 1215 - Chemical Principles Laboratory I 1 credit(s)
CHEM 1220 - Principles of Chemistry II (BPS) 4 credit(s)
CHEM 1225 - Chemical Principles Laboratory II 1 credit(s)
MATH 1210 - Calculus I (QL) 4 credit(s)
PHYS 2210 - Physics for Scientists and Engineers I (BPS/QI) 4 credit(s)
PHYS 2215 - Physics for Scientists and Engineers Lab I 1 credit(s)

Applied Environmental Geoscience Courses (40-42 credits)

GEO 5200 - Geology Field Camp 5 credit(s)
GEO 5600 - Geochemistry 4 credit(s)
GEO 5630 - Geologic Image Analysis 3 credit(s) or
WATS 4930 - Advanced GIS and Spatial Analysis 3 credit(s) or
WATS 5003 - Remote Sensing of Land Surfaces 4 credit(s) or
WILD 5750 - Applied Remote Sensing 3 credit(s)
BIOL 1610 - Biology I 3 credit(s)
BIOL 1615 - Biology I Laboratory 1 credit(s)
BIOL 1620 - Biology II (BLS) 3 credit(s)
BIOL 1625 - Biology II Laboratory 1 credit(s)
BIOL 2220 - General Ecology 3 credit(s) or
CHEM 3650 - Environmental Chemistry (DSC) 3 credit(s) or
PSC 4810 - Climate and Climate Change (DSC/QI) 3 credit(s)
GEO 5XXX Elective 3
GEOG 2800 - Introduction to Geographic Information Sciences 4 credit(s)
PSC 3000 - Fundamentals of Soil Science 4 credit(s) and PSC 5130 - Soil Genesis, Morphology, and Classification 4 or
WATS 3700 - Fundamentals of Watershed Science (CI) 3 credit(s) and WATS 4490 - Small Watershed Hydrology (QI) 4
STAT 3000 - Statistics for Scientists (QI) 3 credit(s)

Additional Information

Graduation Requirements:

Students must complete the Minimum University Graduation and General Education Requirements :

GEO 1110 will fulfill the Integrated Studies requirement.
MATH 1210 will fulfill the Quantitative Literacy (QL) requirement.
CHEM 1220 will fulfill the Breadth Physical Sciences (BPS) requirement.
ENGL 1010 and ENGL 2010 will fulfill the Communications Literacy requirement.
Three credits of approved courses in: Breadth American Institutions (BAI) , Breadth Creative Arts (BCA) , Breadth Humanities (BHU) , Breadth Life Sciences (BLS) , and Breadth Social Sciences (BSS) .

Students must also complete the University Studies Requirements :

GEO 3400 and GEO 3900 will fulfill the Communications Intensive (CI) requirement.
PHYS 2210 will fulfill the Quantitative Intensive (QI) requirement.
Two credits of approved 3000-level or above course in: Depth Humanities and Creative Arts (DHA) , Depth Life and Physical Sciences (DSC) , and Depth Social Sciences (DSS) .

Students must receive a grade of C- or higher in GEO courses for them to count toward the major.

Open Electives

Total elective credit is determined by General Education courses taken, degree type selected, additional credits earned, and any additional math or other prerequisite courses needed. Please consult your Academic Advisor for details.

Total Credits: 120

Suggested Degree Map - Geology: Applied Environmental Geoscience Emphasis BA, BS

Geology: Applied Environmental Geoscience Emphasis BA, BS - 4 Year Degree Map