Geology, B.S.
The B.S. in Geology degree consists of an interdisciplinary curriculum that provides a sound foundation in both fundamental and applied aspects of geology and is the more appropriate option for students considering graduate studies in Geology. Graduates are typically employed by environmental and engineering companies, natural resource industries, and government agencies, or pursue more advanced degrees.
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/.
Course Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Curriculum | ||
| Core 1: Critical Thinking | ||
| FYS 100 | First Yr Sem Critical Thinking | 3 |
| MTH 229 | Calculus/Analytic Geom I (CT) | 5 |
| Critical Thinking Course | 3 | |
| Core 2 | ||
| ENG 101 | Beginning Composition | 3 |
| ENG 201 | Advanced Composition | 3 |
| CMM 103 | Fund Speech-Communication | 3 |
| MTH 229 | Calculus/Analytic Geom I (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 | 2-4 |
| Major-Specific | ||
| 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 212 | Geologic Field Methods | 3 |
| GLY 313 | Structural Geology | 4 |
| GLY 314 | Mineralogy | 4 |
| GLY 320L | Geology Lab Techniques | 2 |
| GLY 325 | Stratigraphy & Sediment | 4 |
| GLY 418 | Invertebrate Paleontology | 3-4 |
| or GLY 426 | Geophysics | |
| GLY 420 | Principles of Geochemistry | 3 |
| GLY 421 | Igneous& Metamorphic Petrology | 4 |
| or GLY 423 | Sedimentary Petrology | |
| GLY 455 | Hydrogeology | 3 |
| GLY 455L | Hydrogeology Laboratory | 1 |
| GLY 457 | Engineering Geology | 4 |
| GLY 491 | Capstone Experience | 2-4 |
| or GLY 492 | Capstone Experience | |
| CHM 211 | Principles of Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHM 217 | Principles of Chem Lab I | 2 |
| GLY Elective | 4 | |
| GLY Elective | 4 | |
| GLY Elective | 3 | |
| PHY 201 | College Physics I | 3 |
| PHY 202 | General Physics I Laboratory | 1 |
| MTH 229 | Calculus/Analytic Geom I (CT) | 5 |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 1 | |
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.
- MTH 229 Calculus/Analytic Geom I (CT) 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).
Semester Plan
Programs of study offered by the Department of Geology are designed for individuals seeking a career as an earth scientist. The greatest number 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 |
| MTH 229 | Calculus/Analytic Geom I (CT) | 5 |
| UNI 100 | Freshman First Class | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| GLY 201 | The Earth Through Time | 3 |
| GLY 211L | Earth Through Time Lab | 1 |
| ENG 201 | Advanced Composition | 3 |
| Core II Fine Arts | 3 | |
| CMM 103 | Fund Speech-Communication | 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 |
| GLY 212 | Geologic Field Methods | 3 |
| GLY 325 | Stratigraphy & Sediment | 4 |
| CT Designated Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| GLY 313 | Structural Geology | 4 |
| GLY Elective | 4 | |
| Fossil Fuels (recommended) | ||
| Writing Intensive | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Third Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| GLY 314 | Mineralogy | 4 |
| Core II Social Science | 3 | |
| Writing Intensive | 3 | |
| GLY Elective | 3-4 | |
| Tectonics or Principles Geomorphology | ||
| Credit Hours | 13-14 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| GLY 418 or GLY 426 | Invertebrate Paleontology or Geophysics | 3-4 |
| GLY 421 or GLY 423 | Igneous& Metamorphic Petrology or Sedimentary Petrology | 4 |
| GLY Elective | 4 | |
| Environmental Geology (recommended) | ||
| Free Elective | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 15-16 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| PHY 202 | General Physics I Laboratory | 1 |
| PHY 201 | College Physics I | 3 |
| GLY 491 | Capstone Experience | 2-4 |
| GLY 320L | Geology Lab Techniques | 2 |
| GLY 457 | Engineering Geology | 4 |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15-17 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| GLY 455 | Hydrogeology | 3 |
| GLY 455L | Hydrogeology Laboratory | 1 |
| GLY 420 | Principles of Geochemistry | 3 |
| Core II Humanities | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120-124 | |