Earth Science, B.A.
- General Education Course
- Milestone course: a key success marker for your major. See your advisor to discuss the importance of this course in your plan of study.
Major
The Core Curriculum is designed to foster critical thinking skills and introduce students to basic domains of thinking that transcend disciplines. The Core applies to all majors. Information on specific classes in the Core can be found at https://www.marshall.edu/gened/.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Curriculum | ||
| Core 1: Critical Thinking | ||
| FYS 100 | First Yr Sem Critical Thinking | 3 |
| MTH 160
| Applied Math Reasoning (CT) | 5 |
| PS 101
| Introductory Astronomy (CT) | 4 |
| Core 2 | ||
| ENG 101
| Beginning Composition | 3 |
| ENG 201
| Advanced Composition | 3 |
| CMM 103
| Fund Speech-Communication | 3 |
| MTH 160
| Applied Math Reasoning (CT) | 5 |
| Core II Humanities | 3 | |
| Core II Social Science | 3 | |
| Core II Fine Arts | 3 | |
| GLY 200
& GLY 210L
| The Dynamic Earth and Earth Materials Lab | 4 |
| Additional University Requirements | ||
| Writing Intensive | 3 | |
| Writing Intensive | 3 | |
| Multicultural or International | 3 | |
| GLY 491
| Capstone Experience | 2 |
| Major-Specific | ||
| GLY 100
| Geologic Hazards & Resources | 3 |
| GLY 150
| Intro Oceanography | 3 |
| GLY 150L
| Intro Oceanography Lab | 1 |
| GLY 200
| The Dynamic Earth | 3 |
| GLY 210L
| Earth Materials Lab | 1 |
| GLY 201
| The Earth Through Time | 3 |
| GLY 211L
| Earth Through Time Lab | 1 |
| GLY 313
| Structural Geology | 4 |
| GLY 325
| Stratigraphy & Sediment | 4 |
| GLY 451 | Principles Geomorphology | 4 |
| GLY 456
| Environmental Geology | 4 |
| GLY 491
| Capstone Experience | 2 |
| CHM 211
| Principles of Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHM 217
| Principles of Chem Lab I | 2 |
| PHY 201
| College Physics I | 3 |
| PHY 202
| General Physics I Laboratory | 1 |
| BSC 120
| Principles of Biology | 4 |
| IST 150 | Spreadsheet & Database Prin | 3 |
| PS 101
| Introductory Astronomy (CT) | 4 |
| PS 400 | Astronomy | 3 |
| PS 400L | Astronomy Laboratory | 1 |
| MTH 160
| Applied Math Reasoning (CT) | 5 |
| ENG 354 | Scientific & Tech Writing | 3 |
| GEO 230
| Intro to Meteorology (CT) | 4 |
| GEO 422
| Environmental Geography | 3 |
| GEO 426 | Principles of GIS | 4 |
| GLY Elective | 4 | |
| GLY Elective | 4 | |
| Elective (GLY, GEO, IST or NRE) | 3-4 | |
Major Information
- Students are strongly encouraged to select courses that meet two or more Core or College requirements. For example, a writing intensive literature course could satisfy the College of Science literature requirement as well as the Core II writing intensive requirement.
- Course offerings and course attributes are subject to change semesters. Please consult each semesters schedule of courses for availability and attributes.
- Math is based on an ACT Mathematics score of 27 or higher. Students with an ACT Mathematics score less than 27 will be placed in the appropriate mathematics and science courses.
- The capstone experience (GLY 491 Capstone Experience) is an individualized research project or internship experience requiring a written report and an oral presentation. The capstone requirement may be met alternatively by attending geology summer field camp or by completing the capstone seminar offered each spring (GLY 492 Capstone Experience).
- General Education Course
- Milestone course: a key success marker for your major. See your advisor to discuss the importance of this course in your plan of study.
Four Year Plan
Programs of study offered by the Department of Geology are designed for individuals seeking a career as an earth scientist. The greatest numbers of geologists are employed by natural resource industries. These include metallic and nonmetallic mining companies as well as petroleum, natural gas, and coal companies. New and challenging careers are also available in environmental and engineering geology. The majority of graduates in the past few years have found employment with environmental and geotechnical companies.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Credit Hours | |
| GLY 200
|
The Dynamic Earth | 3 |
| GLY 210L
|
Earth Materials Lab | 1 |
| ENG 101
|
Beginning Composition | 3 |
| FYS 100 | First Yr Sem Critical Thinking | 3 |
| BSC 120
|
Principles of Biology | 4 |
| UNI 100 | Freshman First Class | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| GLY 201
|
The Earth Through Time | 3 |
| GLY 211L
|
Earth Through Time Lab | 1 |
| ENG 201
|
Advanced Composition | 3 |
| GLY 100
|
Geologic Hazards & Resources | 3 |
| IST 150 | Spreadsheet & Database Prin | 3 |
| Multicultural or International | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| CHM 211
|
Principles of Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHM 217
|
Principles of Chem Lab I | 2 |
| PS 101
|
Introductory Astronomy (CT) | 4 |
| GLY 325
|
Stratigraphy & Sediment | 4 |
| GLY 150
|
Intro Oceanography | 3 |
| GLY 150L
|
Intro Oceanography Lab | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| GLY 313
|
Structural Geology | 4 |
| GLY Elective | 4 | |
| ENG 354 | Scientific & Tech Writing | 3 |
| MTH 160
|
Applied Math Reasoning (CT) | 5 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Third Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| PS 400 | Astronomy | 3 |
| PS 400L | Astronomy Laboratory | 1 |
| GLY 451 | Principles Geomorphology | 4 |
| Elective (GLY, GEO, IST or NRE) | 4 | |
| Core II Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| GLY 456
|
Environmental Geology | 4 |
| GEO 230
|
Intro to Meteorology (CT) | 4 |
| CMM 103
|
Fund Speech-Communication | 3 |
| Writing Intensive | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| PHY 201
|
College Physics I | 3 |
| PHY 202
|
General Physics I Laboratory | 1 |
| Writing Intensive | 3 | |
| GEO 426 | Principles of GIS | 4 |
| GLY 491
|
Capstone Experience | 2 |
| Free Elective | 1 | |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| GEO 422
|
Environmental Geography | 3 |
| GLY Elective | 4 | |
| Core II Humanities | 3 | |
| Core II Social Science | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 13 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |