Both the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees are granted through Indiana University. The degrees differ in some coursework requirements; students should consult with our academic advisor about which degree to pursue.

The Bachelor Degree in Geology gives a student a solid, interdisciplinary background in the sciences. Students use a foundation in biology, chemistry, physics, and math to understand earth systems and earth processes. Physical Geology (G110) and Mineralogy (G221) are the typical gateway courses.

• Many of our bachelor degree majors complete individual research projects with a faculty member as one option within the degree requirements.
• Class sizes in our upper level courses are small, typically between 10-15 students.
• Majors have access to our computer lab, teaching classroom, and research facilities when necessary for completing course work.

Many students enter college unfamiliar with geology or earth sciences, typically because they had little exposure in high school. If you are interested in learning more about geology, any of our 100-level courses will give you an overview of many aspects of our science. Typically one third of our graduates attend graduate school while the remainder enter the workplace upon graduation. Many of our alumni are employed across Indiana; for more information see our career page.

If you are interested in either the BA or BS in Geology, you can contact the Undergraduate Advisor for questions about these undergraduate degrees. To avoid problems in course scheduling or sequencing, you should talk to an Earth Sciences advisor before deciding to take courses towards our major.

The degree requirements below are arranged to match the School of Science's template for undergraduate degrees, which are organized by "areas" of knowledge. The information on this page is not a complete list of degree requirements. See the School of Science requirements under "Undergraduate Programs, Bachelor Degree" in the IUPUI 2008-2010 Campus Bulletin. (pdf format) for additional information.

9 credit hours required:
• ENG W131 Elementary Comp. I (3 cr) ▼
• ENG W132 Elementary Comp. II (3 cr) ▼
• COMM R110 Speech Comm. (3 cr) ▼

12 credit hours required:
• HIST H114 Western Civilization II (3 cr)
• One course each from List H, S, and C. (9 cr) ▼
Full list of SOS approved courses from University College (rev. 11/2008)

Not required.

14 credit hours required:
• MATH 16500/16600 Analytic Geometry & Calculus I & II (8 cr)
• CSCI N207 Data Analysis  (3 cr) ▼
• STAT 301 Elementary Stats I (3 cr) ▼

8 or 9 credit hours required:
• MATH 15300/15400 College Algebra & Trigonometry I & II (6 cr)
      –OR– 
MATH 15900 Pre-calculus (5 cr)
• CSCI N207 Data Analysis (3 cr) ▼

Two additional science courses at the 300-400 level with Departmental approval. (~ 6 cr.)

AREA IV
Geology

32-33 credits.
The following six core courses (18 cr) are required:
• GEOL G110 Physical Geology (3 cr)
• GEOL G120 Physical Geology Lab (1 cr)
• GEOL G205 Reporting in Geosciences (3 cr)
• GEOL G221 Mineralogy (4 cr) –OR– GEOL G306 Earth Materials (4 cr)
• GEOL G334 Sedimentology and Stratigraphy (4 cr)
• GEOL G335 Evolution of Earth and Life (3 cr)

And five additional courses (15-16 cr) from the following:
• GEOL G222 Petrology (4 cr)
• 300-level Geology courses, with approval
• 400-level Geology courses, with approval

No grade below C– will be accepted in any of these courses. Other 100-level courses and G300 do not count toward the geology concentration of 32 credit hours, but may be applied as electives toward the university-required total of 122 credit hours.

• GEOL-G 420 Field Excursion (3 cr) ▼