Environmental Geoscience, Emphasis

 Bison image - General Education Course

 Cap graduation image - Milestone course: a key success marker for your major. See your advisor to discuss the importance of this course in your plan of study.

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 

Core Curriculum
Core 1: Critical Thinking
FYS 100First Yr Sem Critical Thinking3
MTH 229 Bison image Calculus/Analytic Geom I (CT)5
Critical Thinking Course3
Core 2
ENG 101 Bison image Beginning Composition3
ENG 201 Bison image Advanced Composition3
CMM 103 Bison image  Cap graduation image Fund Speech-Communication3
MTH 229 Bison image Calculus/Analytic Geom I (CT)5
Core II Humanities3
Core II Social Science3
Core II Fine Arts3
CHM 211 Bison image
& CHM 217 Bison image
Principles of Chemistry I
and Principles of Chem Lab I
5
Additional University Requirements
Writing Intensive3
Writing Intensive3
Multicultural or International3
GLY 491 Bison image Capstone Experience2
Major-Specific
GLY 200 Bison image  Cap graduation image The Dynamic Earth3
GLY 210L Bison image  Cap graduation image Earth Materials Lab1
GLY 201 Bison image The Earth Through Time3
GLY 211L Bison image Earth Through Time Lab1
GLY 212 Cap graduation image Geologic Field Methods3
GLY 313 Cap graduation image Structural Geology4
GLY 314 Cap graduation image Mineralogy4
GLY 320LGeology Lab Techniques2
GLY 325 Cap graduation image Stratigraphy & Sediment4
GLY 420Principles of Geochemistry3
GLY 423Sedimentary Petrology4
GLY 426Geophysics3
GLY 455Hydrogeology3
GLY 455LHydrogeology Laboratory1
GLY 456Environmental Geology4
GLY 457Engineering Geology4
GLY 491 Bison image Capstone Experience2
MTH 229 Bison image Calculus/Analytic Geom I (CT)5
CHM 211 Bison image  Cap graduation image Principles of Chemistry I3
CHM 217 Bison image Principles of Chem Lab I2
PHY 201 Bison image  Cap graduation image College Physics I3
PHY 202 Bison image  Cap graduation image General Physics I Laboratory1
PS 410Remote Sensing w Applications4
ENG 354Scientific & Tech Writing3
GEO 222 Bison image Global Environment Issues (CT)3
GEO 429Location Analysis and GIS4
Free Elective3
Free Elective3
Free Elective2
Free Elective1

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).

 Bison image - General Education Course

 Cap graduation image - Milestone course: a key success marker for your major. See your advisor to discuss the importance of this course in your plan of study.

Semester 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. This area of emphasis utilizes an interdisciplinary curriculum, which will prepare graduates for careers involving the application of geologic concepts to the solution of environmental problems.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
First SemesterCredit Hours
GLY 200 Bison image  Cap graduation image The Dynamic Earth 3
GLY 210L Bison image  Cap graduation image Earth Materials Lab 1
ENG 101 Bison image Beginning Composition 3
FYS 100 First Yr Sem Critical Thinking 3
MTH 229 Bison image Calculus/Analytic Geom I (CT) 5
UNI 100 Freshman First Class 1
 Credit Hours16
Second Semester
GLY 201 Bison image The Earth Through Time 3
GLY 211L Bison image Earth Through Time Lab 1
CT Designated Course 3
Core II Fine Arts 3
Multicultural/International 3
Free Elective 1
 Credit Hours14
Second Year
First Semester
CHM 211 Bison image  Cap graduation image Principles of Chemistry I 3
CHM 217 Bison image Principles of Chem Lab I 2
GLY 212 Cap graduation image Geologic Field Methods 3
GLY 325 Cap graduation image Stratigraphy & Sediment 4
ENG 201 Bison image Advanced Composition 3
 Credit Hours15
Second Semester
ENG 354 Scientific & Tech Writing 3
GLY 313 Cap graduation image Structural Geology 4
PS 410 Remote Sensing w Applications 4
Writing Intensive 3
Free Elective 3
 Credit Hours17
Third Year
First Semester
GLY 320L Geology Lab Techniques 2
GLY 314 Cap graduation image Mineralogy 4
PHY 201 Bison image  Cap graduation image College Physics I 3
PHY 202 Bison image  Cap graduation image General Physics I Laboratory 1
GLY 423 Sedimentary Petrology 4
Core II: Social Science 3
 Credit Hours17
Second Semester
CMM 103 Bison image  Cap graduation image Fund Speech-Communication 3
GLY 420 Principles of Geochemistry 3
GLY 456 Environmental Geology 4
GLY 426 Geophysics 3
 Credit Hours13
Fourth Year
First Semester
GLY 491 Bison image Capstone Experience 2
GLY 457 Engineering Geology 4
Core II: Humanities 3
Free Elective 3
Free Elective 2
 Credit Hours14
Second Semester
GEO 429 Location Analysis and GIS 4
Writing Intensive 3
GEO 222 Bison image Global Environment Issues (CT) 3
GLY 455 Hydrogeology 3
GLY 455L Hydrogeology Laboratory 1
 Credit Hours14
 Total Credit Hours120