Bachelor of Science in Geological Sciences

Geological Sciences

Undergraduate Academic Advising

Visit the Academic Advising website to find your advsior, schedule a meeting, or learn more about the program. 

You are encouraged to consult with an academic advisor, as well as any other faculty members concerning your course of study at UAA.

Academic Advising

Program Student Learning Outcomes

The curriculum of the UAA Geological Sciences program is designed to produce graduates who:

  • Have a basic knowledge of the principles related to the geological sciences with either an emphasis in environmental geology or general geology.
  • Have an understanding of how to think scientifically and apply their knowledge to solve geologic problems.
  • Have sufficient competence to obtain employment as an entry-level geologist or environmental geologist, and be able to progress professionally within the discipline and are prepared for advanced study.
  • Have a fundamental understanding of ÐÜèÔÚÏßÊÓƵn geology and environmental problems in ÐÜèÔÚÏßÊÓƵ.
  • Are able to communicate their ideas.
  • Are prepared for and understand the need for continued professional development throughout their careers.

In keeping with the objectives, it is expected that graduates of the UAA Geological Sciences program will have:

  • An ability to apply their knowledge of general geology and/or environmental geology.
  • An ability to accept challenges and think through problems until they are solved.
  • An ability to design and conduct projects that include field work, laboratory analyses and interpretation in their area of emphasis.
  • Experience in field geology in ÐÜèÔÚÏßÊÓƵ.
  • An ability to communicate effectively.
  • A recognition of the need for, and ability to pursue, lifelong learning.
 
  • B.S. Geological Sciences Requirements
    Admission Requirements
    • Complete the .
    Graduation Requirements
    • Complete the .
    • Complete the .
    • Students who audit a Geology (GEOL) course or who are unable to earn a minimum grade of C may repeat the course. All prerequisites for GEOL courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C.
    • Complete the following major requirements with a minimum grade of C:
    Support Courses
    °ä±á·¡²ÑÌý´¡105
    &²¹³¾±è;ÌýA105L
    General Chemistry I
    and General Chemistry I Laboratory
    4
    °ä±á·¡²ÑÌý´¡106
    &²¹³¾±è;ÌýA106L
    General Chemistry II
    and General Chemistry II Laboratory
    4
    ²Ñ´¡°Õ±áÌý´¡251Calculus I 14-6
    ´Ç°ùÌý²Ñ´¡°Õ±áÌý´¡251F F.A.T. Calculus I
    ±Ê±á³Û³§Ìý´¡123
    &²¹³¾±è;ÌýA123L
    College Physics I
    and College Physics I Laboratory
    4
    ±Ê±á³Û³§Ìý´¡124
    &²¹³¾±è;ÌýA124L
    College Physics II
    and College Physics II Laboratory
    4
    Core Courses
    ³Ò·¡°¿³¢Ìý´¡121Physical Geology for Science and Engineering Majors4
    ´Ç°ùÌý³Ò·¡°¿³¢Ìý´¡111
    &²¹³¾±è;ÌýA111L
    Planet Earth
    and Planet Earth Laboratory
    ´Ç°ùÌý³Ò·¡°¿³¢Ìý´¡115
    &²¹³¾±è;ÌýA115L
    Dangerous Earth
    and Dangerous Earth Laboratory
    ³Ò·¡°¿³¢Ìý´¡221Journey Through Time4
    ³Ò·¡°¿³¢Ìý´¡225Earth Surface Processes3
    ³Ò·¡°¿³¢Ìý´¡310Professional Practices in Geology3
    ³Ò·¡°¿³¢Ìý´¡315Geological Data Visualization and Analysis3
    ³Ò·¡°¿³¢Ìý´¡321Mineralogy4
    ³Ò·¡°¿³¢Ìý´¡322 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology4
    ³Ò·¡°¿³¢Ìý´¡331Sedimentology and Stratigraphy4
    ³Ò·¡°¿³¢Ìý´¡335 Structural Geology4
    ³Ò·¡°¿³¢Ìý´¡345Hydrogeology3
    ³Ò·¡°¿³¢Ìý´¡461 Geochemistry3
    ³Ò·¡°¿³¢Ìý´¡476Applied Geophysics3
    Complete 6 credits from the following:6
    ³Ò·¡°¿³¢Ìý´¡480
    Geologic Field Methods
    Geology field camp 2
    Electives
    Complete 12 credits from the following:12
    ³Ò·¡°¿³¢Ìý´¡320
    Volcanology
    ³Ò·¡°¿³¢Ìý´¡333
    Earthquakes and Seismic Hazards
    ³Ò·¡°¿³¢Ìý´¡350
    Geomorphology
    ³Ò·¡°¿³¢Ìý´¡361
    Earth Resources and Society
    ³Ò·¡°¿³¢Ìý´¡436
    Petroleum Geology
    ³Ò·¡°¿³¢Ìý´¡437
    Depositional Systems and Dynamic Stratigraphy
    ³Ò·¡°¿³¢Ìý´¡441
    Paleoclimatology
    ³Ò·¡°¿³¢Ìý´¡444
    The Cryosphere
    ³Ò·¡°¿³¢Ìý´¡448
    Structural Geology and Geomechanics
    ³Ò·¡°¿³¢Ìý´¡463
    Environmental Geochemistry
    ³Ò·¡°¿³¢Ìý´¡465
    Isotope Geochemistry
    GEOL/MBIO A468
    Geomicrobiology
    ³Ò·¡°¿³¢Ìý´¡477
    Integrated Subsurface Mapping and Analysis
    ³Ò·¡°¿³¢Ìý´¡480
    Geologic Field Methods 3
    ³Ò·¡°¿³¢Ìý´¡490
    Advanced Topics in Geology
    ³Ò·¡°¿³¢Ìý´¡492
    Geology Seminar
    ³Ò·¡°¿³¢Ìý´¡495
    Geology Internship
    ³Ò·¡°¿³¢Ìý´¡498
    Student Research
    ³Ò·¡°¿³¢Ìý´¡499
    Senior Thesis
    Total80-82
    1

    ´¡»å»å¾±³Ù¾±´Ç²Ô²¹±ô±ô²â,Ìý²Ñ´¡°Õ±áÌý´¡252Ìý´Ç°ù ²Ñ´¡°Õ±áÌý´¡252F is highly recommended for students majoring in geological sciences.

    2

    Geology field camps offered through other accredited academic institutions must be approved by the Department of Geological Sciences. Credits must be transferable to UAA from the academic institution that is offering the course and must be completed with a minimum grade of 2.00.

    3

    ³Ò·¡°¿³¢Ìý´¡480 may be applied toward recommended electives if it is not being applied to satisfy core requirements. 

    Environmental Geological Track
    Students wishing to receive a degree with an environmental geological sciences track should complete the above electives requirement with 12 credits from the following courses:12
    ³Ò·¡°¿³¢Ìý´¡333
    Earthquakes and Seismic Hazards
    ³Ò·¡°¿³¢Ìý´¡350
    Geomorphology
    ³Ò·¡°¿³¢Ìý´¡361
    Earth Resources and Society
    ³Ò·¡°¿³¢Ìý´¡436
    Petroleum Geology
    ³Ò·¡°¿³¢Ìý´¡441
    Paleoclimatology
    ³Ò·¡°¿³¢Ìý´¡444
    The Cryosphere
    ³Ò·¡°¿³¢Ìý´¡448
    Structural Geology and Geomechanics
    ³Ò·¡°¿³¢Ìý´¡463
    Environmental Geochemistry
    ³Ò·¡°¿³¢Ìý´¡465
    Isotope Geochemistry
    ³Ò·¡°¿³¢Ìý´¡495
    Geology Internship
    Total12

    A minimum of 120 credits is required for the degree, of which 39 must be upper-division credits. 

    Honors in Geological Sciences

    The Department of Geological Sciences offers recognition to students who demonstrate exceptional promise in the science by awarding them with departmental honors in geological sciences. To graduate with departmental honors, the student must be a declared geological sciences major and meet the following requirements:

    • Satisfy all requirements for a BS in Geological Sciences;
    • Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50;
    • Complete 6 credits of ³Ò·¡°¿³¢Ìý´¡499, or 3 credits of ³Ò·¡°¿³¢Ìý´¡498 and 3 credits of ³Ò·¡°¿³¢Ìý´¡499, with a minimum grade of B;
    • Students intending to graduate with departmental honors must notify the departmental honors committee in writing on or before the date they file their Application for Graduation with the Office of the Registrar.
 
Please be sure to review the in the UAA Catalog.