< College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Geology

The Sciences and Letters Curriculum major in geology, administered by the Department of Geology, is designed for students who want a more flexible course of study than is provided by the Specialized Curriculum in Geology and Geophysics. It may be used by those wishing to obtain a more liberal education and/or background in geology for use in fields such as anthropology, business, mineral economics, regional planning, journalism, law, sales, or library and information science. It is not intended to prepare a student for graduate work in the geological sciences unless the student selects additional courses in mathematics, chemistry, and physics comparable to those required in the Specialized Geology and Geophysics Curriculum.

The Department of Geology also sponsors the Minor in Geology, the Earth and Environmental Sciences Option, the Earth Science Teaching Option, and a Teacher Education Minor in Earth Science (see Earth Science heading). The Earth Science Teaching Option is designed for students preparing to teach earth science at the secondary school level.

Students must select one option in the Sciences and Letters Curriculum or one option in the Specialized Curriculum.

Major in Sciences and Letters Curriculum

Select one option in consultation with an adviser.

Geology Option

E-mail: lundstro@uiuc.edu

Web address for most current program requirements:
http://www.las.uiuc.edu/students/programs/GEOL/f_GEOL.shtml

Degree title: Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences

Minimum required major and supporting course work normally equates to 47-52 hours including at least 29 hours in Geology and 18 hours of supporting course work selected in consultation with an adviser

General education: The LAS General Education requirements are set up so students automatically complete the Campus General Education requirements.

Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours

Departmental distinction: Students who maintain grade point averages of at least 3.5 in all geology courses and 3.0 in all other science and mathematics courses and who complete an acceptable senior thesis, including at least four hours of credit in GEOL 292 or 293, are recommended for graduation with distinction.

HOURS     REQUIREMENTS

14-18     Core requirements, including: 

          GEOL 107-General Geology, I

          GEOL 108-General Geology, II (preferred courses)1

          CHEM 101-General Chemistry, and 

          CHEM 105-General Chemistry Laboratory     

          Select one of the following:

          MATH 120-Calculus and Analytic Geometry, I 

          MATH 134-Calculus for Social Scientists, I

          MATH 135-Calculus     

          An introductory Statistics course, e.g., STAT 101, 

           SOC 185, ECON 172, or a second semester of 

          Calculus is recommended

32-35     Additional requirements beyond the core requirements:

          CHEM 102-General Chemistry (Biological or Physical 

           Version), and 

          CHEM 106-General Chemistry Laboratory

          Select one of the following:

          PHYCS 101-General Physics (Mechanics, Heat,  

           and Sound)

          PHYCS 111-General Physics (Mechanics)

          GEOL 311-Structural Geology and Tectonics

          GEOL 3172 -Geologic Field Methods, Western U.S.

          GEOL 332-Mineralogy and Mineral Optics

          GEOL 336-Petrology and Petrography

          Select one of the following:

          GEOL 320-Introduction to Paleontology 

          GEOL 340-Sedimentology and Stratigraphy

3-4       Geology advanced hours or cognate science elective

Twelve hours advanced-level (300- and approved 200-level) courses in the major must be taken on this campus.

All foreign language requirements must be satisfied.

A Major Plan of Study Form must be completed and submitted to the LAS Student Affairs Office before the end of the fifth semester (60-75 hours). Please see your adviser.

1. Students who decide to follow the geology major after first taking GEOL 101 or 111 or 100 and 110 should enroll in GEOL 108; students who decide to follow the major after first taking GEOL 100 (without 110), 104, 105, or 143 should enroll in GEOL 107. GEOL 101 (or 111 or 100/110) will be accepted as a substitute for GEOL 107 and 108, but students should be aware that this course is not intended for science majors.

2. GEOL 317 is a summer field course taught off campus.

Earth and Environmental Science Option

HOURS     REQUIREMENTS 

14-18     Core requirements, including: 

          GEOL 107-General Geology, I 

          GEOL 108-General Geology, II (preferred courses)1 

          CHEM 101-General Chemistry

          CHEM 105-General Chemistry Laboratory 

          Select one of the following:

          MATH 120-Calculus and Analytic Geometry, I

          MATH 134-Calculus for Social Scientists, I

          MATH 135-Calculus 

          An introductory Statistics course, e.g., STAT 101, 

           SOC 185, ECON 172, or a second semester of Calculus 

           is recommended 

27-31     Total hours beyond the core requirements 

          ATMOS 140-Climate and Global Change, or 

          GEOL 118-Earth and the Environment

          GEOL 233-Earth Materials and the Environment, or 

          GEOL 332-Mineralogy and Mineral Optics 

          GEOL 280-Environmental Geology 

10-12     Additional advanced geology courses 

6-8       Environmental Studies electives

Earth Science Teaching Option

This option is designed for students preparing to teach earth science as their primary area of specialization. Students in this major must also acquire teacher certification in any of the following fields: biology, chemistry, mathematics, or physics. A student must have at least 2.5 cumulative and University of Illinois grade point averages to remain in the curriculum. A student must also maintain at least a 2.0 average in all attempts at science and mathematics courses taken at the University of Illinois in order to remain in the teaching option.

E-mail: altaner@uiuc.edu

Web address for most current program requirements:
http://www.las.uiuc.edu/students/programs/GEOL/f_GEOL.shtml

Degree title: Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences

Minimum required course work normally equates to 52­61 hours

General education: Students should consult their program and teacher education advisers for current general education requirements.

Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours

Departmental distinction: Students who maintain grade point averages of at least 3.5 in all geology courses and 3.0 in all other science and mathematics courses and who complete an acceptable senior thesis, including at least four hours of credit in GEOL 292 or 293, are recommended for graduation with distinction.

Prerequisites to transfer to the Teaching Option: In addition to EDPSY 211 and E P S 201, CHEM 101 and 105, MATH 120 or 134 or 135, GEOL 107 and 108, and GEOL 233 (or GEOL 332) must also be completed prior to transfer into the teaching option.

In addition to the requirements for the option listed below, students must complete the Teacher Education Minor in Secondary School Teaching (36 hours). See the College of Education section for requirements of the minor. Conferral of the degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences prior to completion of the minor requires approval by petition to the LAS Student Affairs Office. While it is possible to complete this program in eight semesters, many students may require an extra semester or two.

HOURS     REQUIREMENTS

3-6       Select from:

          ASTR 210-General Astronomy 

     or 

          ASTR 121-The Solar System, and 

          ASTR 122-Stars and Galaxies 

3-4       Select one:

          ATMOS 100-Introduction to Meteorology 

          GEOG 102-Weather and Climate

3-5       Select one:

          BIOL 104-Animal Biology 

          BIOL 107-Evolution

          BIOL 120-Genetics, Evolution, and Biodiversity

          PLBIO 100-Plant Biology

4         CHEM 101-General Chemistry 

          CHEM 105-General Chemistry Laboratory

4         GEOL 107-General Geology, I

4         GEOL 108-General Geology, II

4         Select one:

          GEOL 233-Earth Materials and the Environment 

          GEOL 332-Mineralogy and Mineral Optics

3         GEOL 320-Introduction to Paleontology

11        Advanced-hour course work in Geology

4-5       Select one:

          MATH 120-Calculus and Analytic Geometry, I 

          MATH 134-Calculus for Social Scientists, I 

          MATH 135-Calculus

4-5       Select one:

          PHYCS 101-General Physics (Mechanics, Heat,

          and Sound) 

          PHYCS 111-General Physics (Mechanics)

5-6       Additional course work to obtain teacher 

           certification in chemistry or physics; additional

           hours are necessary to obtain teacher certification 

           in biology or mathematics

Twelve hours of advanced-level (300- and approved 200-level) courses in the major must be taken on this campus.

All foreign language requirements must be satisfied.

A Major Plan of Study Form must be completed and submitted to the LAS Student Affairs Office before the end of the fifth semester (60-75 hours). Please see your adviser.

Major in Specialized Curriculum in Geology and Geophysics

The curriculum in geology and geophysics is designed for students who plan to pursue graduate study in geology or geophysics or who wish to work professionally in the environmental field upon obtaining the bachelor's degree. It consists of geology, geophysics, and environmental geology options, and offers more training in geology and related science than is required of students who make geology their major in the Sciences and Letters Curriculum.

Graduation requires a grade point average of at least 2.0 overall and a 2.0 average in all required science and technical courses (geology, physics, mathematics, chemistry, and technical requirements listed below). The Department of Geology will supply upon request a Guide for Geology Undergraduates giving more information about the curriculum.

E-mail: lundstro@uiuc.edu

Web address for most current program requirements:
http://www.las.uiuc.edu/students/programs/GEOL/f_GEOL.shtml

Degree title: Bachelor of Science in Geology

General education: All campus general education requirements must be satisfied.

Minimum hours required for graduation: 126 hours

Departmental distinction: Students who maintain a grade point average of at least 3.5 in all geology courses and 3.0 in all other science and mathematics courses and who complete an acceptable senior thesis, including at least 4 hours credit in GEOL 292 or 293, are recommended for graduation with distinction.

Geology Option

HOURS     REQUIREMENTS

8-9       Chemistry. Select one group of courses:

          CHEM 101-General Chemistry, and 

          CHEM 105-General Chemistry Laboratory, and 

          CHEM 102-General Chemistry (Biological or Physical 

           Version), and 

          CHEM 106-General Chemistry Laboratory

      or

          CHEM 107-Accelerated Chemistry, I, and 

          CHEM 108-Accelerated Chemistry, II, and 

          CHEM 109-Accelerated Chemistry Laboratory, I, 



          and 

          CHEM 110-Accelerated Chemistry Laboratory, II

45        Geology: 

          GEOL 107-General Geology, I

          GEOL 1082-General Geology, II

          GEOL 311-Structural Geology and Tectonics

          GEOL 3173-Geologic Field Methods, Western U.S.

          GEOL 320-Introduction to Paleontology

          GEOL 332-Mineralogy and Mineral Optics

          GEOL 336-Petrology and Petrography 

          GEOL 340-Sedimentology and Stratigraphy

          Select one:

          GEOL 352-Physics of the Earth 

       or 

          GEOL 350-Introduction to Geophysics 

          GEOL 360-Geochemistry

          6 additional hours 300-level geology

13-14     Mathematics: 

          MATH 120-Calculus and Analytic Geometry, I 

          MATH 130-Calculus and Analytic Geometry, II 

          Select one:

          MATH 225-Introductory Matrix Theory 

      or 

          MATH 315-Linear Transformations and Matrices

          MATH 242-Calculus of Several Variables

8-10      Physics. Select one group of courses:

          PHYCS 111-General Physics (Mechanics), and 

          PHYCS 112-General Physics (Electricity and 

           Magentism) 

      or 

          PHYCS 101-General Physics (Mechanics, Heat, and

           Sound), and 

          PHYCS 102-General Physics (Light, Electricity, 

           Magnetism, and Modern Physics)

3         Additional Technical Requirements

          Choose at least 3 hours from the following:

          BIOL 104-Animal Biology 

          BIOL 120-Genetics, Evolution, and Biodiversity

          C S 101-Introduction to Computing with Application

           to Engineering and Physical Science 

          C S 125-Introduction to Computer Science

          CPSC 340-Applied Statistical Methods 

          STAT 310-Introduction to Mathematical Statistics

           and Probability, I

          MATH 280-Advanced Calculus 

          MATH 285-Differential Equations and Orthogonal 

           Functions

          MATH 341-Differential Equations

          PHYCS 113-General Physics (Fluids and Thermal Physics)

          PHYCS 114-General Physics (Waves and Quantum Physics)

          PLBIO 100-Plant Biology

Geophysics Option

HOURS     REQUIREMENTS

8-9       Select one group of courses:

          CHEM 101-General Chemistry, and 

          CHEM 105-General Chemistry Laboratory, and 

          CHEM 102-General Chemistry (Biological or Physical

           Version), and 

          CHEM 106-General Chemistry Laboratory

      or

          CHEM 107-Accelerated Chemistry, I, and 

          CHEM 108-Accelerated Chemistry, II, and 

          CHEM 109-Accelerated Chemistry Laboratory, I, and 

          CHEM 110-Accelerated Chemistry Laboratory, II

22        Geology: 

          GEOL 107-General Geology, I

          GEOL 1082-General Geology, II

          GEOL 350-Introduction to Geophysics 

          10 additional hours of 300-level geology

19-20     Mathematics: 

          MATH 120-Calculus and Analytic Geometry, I 

          MATH 130-Calculus and Analytic Geometry, II 

          MATH 242-Calculus of Several Variables

          Select one:

          MATH 225-Introductory Matrix Theory 

      or 

         MATH 315-Linear Transformations and Matrices

         MATH 280-Advanced Calculus 

         MATH 285-Differential Equations and Orthogonal 

          Functions

15- 17   Physics: 

         PHYCS 111-General Physics (Mechanics), and 

         PHYCS 112-General Physics (Electricity and Magentism) 

         PHYCS 113-General Physics (Fluids and Thermal Physics)

         PHYCS 114-General Physics (Waves and Quantum Physics)

         Select one group of courses: 

         PHYCS 225-Intermediate Mechanics & Relativity, I 

      or 

         T A M 150-Introduction to Statics, and

         T A M 212-Engineering Mechanics, II-Dynamics

13       Additional Technical Requirements: 



         Select either:

         C S 101-Introduction to Computing with Application 

          to Engineering and Physical Science

     or 

         C S 125-Introduction to Computer Science

         Select one course from: 

         MATSE 301-Thermodynamics of Materials 

         PHYCS 361-Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics 

         CHEM 342-Physical Chemistry, I

         Six hours of other 300-level science, math, or 

          engineering courses selected with adviser approval.

Environmental Geology Option

HOURS     REQUIREMENTS

8-9       Select one group of courses:

          CHEM 101-General Chemistry, and 

          CHEM 105-General Chemistry Laboratory, and 

          CHEM 102-General Chemistry (Biological or Physical 

           Version), and 

          CHEM 106-General Chemistry Laboratory

       or

          CHEM 107-Accelerated Chemistry, I, and 

          CHEM 108-Accelerated Chemistry, II, and 

          CHEM 109-Accelerated Chemistry Laboratory, I, and 

          CHEM 110-Accelerated Chemistry Laboratory, II

23-24     Geology: 

          GEOL 1072-General Geology, I

          GEOL 1082-General Geology, II

          GEOL 301-Geomorphology 

          Select one:

          GEOL 351-Geophysical Methods for Geology, 

           Engineering and Environmental Science 

       or 

          GEOL 350-Introduction to Geophysics

          GEOL 355-Introductory Groundwater Hydrogeology 

          GEOL 380-Current Problems in Environmental Geology

11        Mathematics:

          MATH 120-Calculus and Analytic Geometry, I 

          MATH 130-Calculus and Analytic Geometry, II 

          MATH 242-Calculus of Several Variables

8-10      Physics. Select from:

          PHYCS 111-General Physics (Mechanics), and 

          PHYCS 112-General Physics (Electricity and Magentism) 

       or 

          PHYCS 101-General Physics (Mechanics, Heat, and Sound),

          and 

          PHYCS 102-General Physics (Light, Electricity, 

           Magnetism, and Modern Physics)

4         Statistics. Select from: 

          CPSC 340-Applied Statistical Methods 

          STAT 310-Introduction to Mathematical Statistics 

           and Probability, I

24        Additional Technical Requirements: 

          Select from the following courses. At least 9 

           hours must be geology courses and at least 9 hours

           must be non-geology courses.

          CEE 241-Environmental Quality Engineering

          CHEM 231-Elementary Organic Chemistry, I

          C S 101-Introduction to Computing with Application     

           to Engineering and Physical Science 

          C S 125-Introduction to Compter Science

          ENVST 331-Toxic Substances in the Environment

          ENVST 351-Environmental Organic Chemistry

          GEOG 377-Introduction to Remote Sensing

          GEOL 311-Structural Geology and Tectonics

          GEOL 3173-Geologic Field Methods, Western U.S.

          GEOL 332-Mineralogy and Mineral Optics

          GEOL 336-Petrology and Petrography

          GEOL 340-Sedimentology and Stratigraphy

          GEOL 360-Geochemistry

          MATH 225-Introductory Matrix Theory

          MATH 315-Linear Transformations and Matrices

          MATH 280-Advanced Calculus 

          MATH 285-Differential Equations and Orthogonal 

           Functions

          MATH 341-Differential Equations 

          MCBIO 100-Introductory Microbiology

          MCBIO 101-Introductory Experimental Microbiology

          PHYCS 113-General Physics (Fluids and Thermal Physics)

          PHYCS 114-General Physics (Waves and Quantum Physics)

          STAT 320-Methods of Applied Statistics

          T A M 150-Introduction to Statics, and

          T A M 212-Engineering Mechanics, II-Dynamics 

1. Students transferring into the geology option from another science or engineering program may substitute up to 8 hours of 300-level science or engineering credits for 8 hours of 300-level geology courses with departmental approval.

2. Students who decide to follow the curriculum in geology and geophysics after first taking GEOL 101 or 111 or 100 and 110 should enroll in GEOL 108; students who decide to follow the curriculum after first taking GEOL 100 (without 110), 104, 105, or 143 should enroll in GEOL 107. GEOL 101 will be accepted as a substitute for GEOL 107 and 108, but students should be aware that this course is not intended for science majors.

3. GEOL 317 is a 6-hour summer field course taught off campus.

Minor in Geology

The geology minor is designed for students who desire a significant background in Geology to support study and practice of their major field. Selection of courses at the 300 level will depend on the major and interests of the student.

E-mail: lundstro@uiuc.edu

Web address for most current program requirements:
http://www.las.uiuc.edu/students/programs/GEOL/f_GEOL.shtml

HOURS     REQUIREMENTS

8         GEOL 107-General Geology, I 

          GEOL 108-General Geology, II1

10-11     GEOL 233-Earth Materials and the Environment 

          GEOL 280-Environmental Geology 

          300-level courses taught by the Department of Geology

18-19     Total hours

1. Students who decide to follow the geology minor after first taking GEOL 101 or 100 should take GEOL 108 and 110. Students not taking the GEOL 107 field trip are required to take GEOL 110.

< College of Liberal Arts and Sciences