Bachelor of Science Degree in Geology

The Bachelor of Science degree in Geology provides opportunities to prepare for careers in the geosciences (for example, earth resources exploration and development, water resources, environmental assessment and remediation, engineering geology, geochemistry, and geophysics) and for successful studies in graduate school. The program of study focuses on fundamentals and learning skills used by geologists in their professional careers.

The minimum number of semester credit hours required for this degree, including the Core Curriculum requirements, is 120, at least 39 of which must be at the upper-division level.

All candidates seeking this degree must fulfill the Core Curriculum requirements and the degree requirements, which are listed below.

Core Curriculum Requirements (42 semester credit hours)
Students seeking the Bachelor of Science degree in Geology must fulfill University Core Curriculum requirements in the same manner as other students. If courses are taken to satisfy both degree requirements and Core Curriculum requirements, then students may need to take additional courses in order to meet the minimum number of semester credit hours required for this degree. For a complete listing of courses that satisfy the Core Curriculum requirements, see pages 3-5 of this catalog.

The core requirements in Mathematics and Natural Sciences are automatically fulfilled in obtaining a B.S. degree in Geology.

Degree Requirements

1. 60 semester credit hours in geology completed with a grade of “C-” or better:
   
   
   1. 39 semester credit hours of required courses:
      
      GEO  1103, 1111   Introduction to Earth Systems and Laboratory
      GEO  1123, 1131   Earth History and Laboratory
      GEO  2003, 2011   Mineralogy and Laboratory
      GEO  2113            Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
      GEO  3043, 3051  Petrology and Laboratory
      GEO  3063, 3071  Paleontology and Laboratory
      GEO  3103, 3111  Structural Geology and Laboratory
      GEO  3112           Geologic Field Investigations
      GEO  3123, 3131  Sedimentation and Stratigraphy and Laboratory
      GEO  4933           Field Geology Part I
      GEO  4943           Field Geology Part II
      
      
   2. 21 additional semester credit hours selected from the following courses. Students should meet with the College of Sciences Advising Center and/or a member of the Department of Geological Sciences to verify that they have taken the necessary prerequisites.
      
      GEO  2123           Advanced Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
      GEO  3013           Global Positioning System (GPS) Mapping for GIS
      GEO  3143, 3151  Economic Geology and Laboratory
      GEO  3163          Oceanography
      GEO  3374          Geochemistry
      GEO  3383          General Geophysics
      GEO  3393          Introduction to Isotope Geochemistry
      GEO  4013          Volcanology
      GEO  4023          Engineering Geology
      GEO  4063          Environmental Geology
      GEO  4093          Principles of Remote Sensing
      GEO 4113, 4121 Geomorphology and Laboratory
      GEO 4623          Ground-Water Hydrology
      GEO  4803         Analytical Methods in Geology
      GEO  4911-3       Independent Study
      GEO  4951-3       Special Studies in Geology
      GEO  4993          Honors Research
2. 27 required semester credit hours in the College of Sciences:
   
   CHE  1103, 1121   General Chemistry I and Laboratory
   CHE  1113, 1131   General Chemistry II and Laboratory
   
   CS   1073  Introductory Computer Programming for Scientific Applications
   or
   CS   1173  Data Analysis and Visualization using MATLAB
   or
   CS   2073  Computer Programming with Engineering Applications
   
   MAT  1214  Calculus I
   MAT  1224  Calculus II
   
   Either
   PHY  1603, 1611  Algebra-based Physics I and Laboratory
   PHY  1623, 1631  Algebra-based Physics II and Laboratory
   or
   PHY  1943, 1951  Physics for Scientists I and Laboratory
   PHY  1963, 1971  Physics for Scientists II and Laboratory

Course Sequence Guide for B.S. Degree in Geology

This course sequence guide is designed to assist students in completing their UTSA undergraduate Geology degree requirements. This is merely a guide and students must satisfy other requirements of this catalog and meet with advisors in the College of Sciences Undergraduate Advising Center for individualized degree plans. Progress within this guide depends upon such factors as course availability, individual student academic preparation, student time management, work obligations, and individual financial considerations. Students may choose to take courses during Summer terms to reduce course loads during long semesters.

B.S. in Geology - Recommended Four-Year Academic Plan

FIRST YEAR
Fall		Spring
CHE 1103/1121* (core and major)	3/1	CHE 1113/1131*	3/1
GEO 1103/1111 (core and major)	3/1	CS 1073 or CS 1173 or CS 2073	3
MAT 1214 (core and major)	4	GEO 1123/1131	3/1
WRC 1013 (core)	3	MAT 1224	4
Total semester hours	15	Total semester hours	15
SECOND YEAR
Fall		Spring
GEO 2003/2011	3/1	GEO 2113	3
GEO 3112	2	GEO 3043/3051	3/1
PHY 1943/1951 or PHY 1603/1611	3/1	PHY 1963/1971 or PHY 1623/1631	3/1
WRC 1023 (core)	3	World Society & Issues core	3
Visual & Performing Arts core	3
Total semester hours	16	Total semester hours	14
THIRD YEAR
Fall		Spring
GEO 3123/3131	3/1	GEO 3063/3071	3/1
POL 1013 (core)	3	GEO 3103/3111	3/1
Upper-division GEO elective	3	POL 1133 or 1213 (core)	3
Upper-division GEO elective	3	Upper-division GEO elective	3
Total semester hours	13	Total semester hours	14
Summer
GEO 4933	3
GEO 4943	3
Total semester hours	6
FOURTH YEAR
Fall		Spring
Literature core	3	Economics core	3
Upper-division GEO elective	3	Social & Behavioral Science core	3
Upper-division GEO elective	3	Upper-division GEO elective	3
U.S. History & Diversity core	3	Upper-division GEO elective	3
		U.S. History & Diversity core	3
Total semester hours	12	Total semester hours	15

* These laboratory courses include a lecture component as indicated on the University Schedule of Classes.

Note: Some courses are only offered once a year; Fall or Spring. Check with the Department of Geological Sciences for scheduling of courses.

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