Course Information Suite

Geology

www.geology.uiuc.edu

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. 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: geology@uiuc.edu

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 492 or 493, are recommended for graduation with distinction.

Hours Requirements

14-18

Core requirements, including:

 
GEOL 107—Physical Geology and
 
GEOL 108—Historical Geology (preferred courses)1
 

CHEM 102—General Chemistry I, and

 

CHEM 103—General Chemistry Lab I

 

Select one of the following:

 
MATH 220—Calculus I
 
MATH 234—Calculus for Business I
 
An introductory Statistics course, e.g., STAT 100, SOC 280, ECON 202, or a second semester of Calculus is recommended

32-35

Additional requirements beyond the core requirements:

 
CHEM 104—General Chemistry II, and
 
CHEM 105—General Chemistry Lab II
 

Select one of the following:

 
PHYS 101—College Physics, Mech & Heat or
 
PHYS 211—Univ Physics, Mechanics
 

GEOL 411—Structural Geol and Tectonics

 

GEOL 4172 —Geol Field Methods, Western US

 

GEOL 432—Mineralogy and Mineral Optics

 

GEOL 436—Petrology and Petrography

 

Select one of the following:

 
GEOL 420—Introduction to Paleontology
 
GEOL 440—Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
 

Three to four hours of advanced Geology or cognate science elective

1. Students who decide to follow the curriculum after first taking GEOL 100 or 101 or 111 should enroll in GEOL 108. Students not taking the GEOL 107 field trip are required to take GEOL 110. GEOL 101 or GEOL 100 will be accepted as a substitute for GEOL 107, but students should be aware that these courses are not intended for science majors.

2. GEOL 417 is a summer field course taught off campus.

Twelve hours of 300- and 400-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.

Earth and Environmental Science Option

Hours Requirements
14-18 Core requirements, including:
 
GEOL 107—Physical Geology and
 
GEOL 108—Historical Geology (preferred courses)1
  CHEM 102—General Chemistry I and
  CHEM 103—General Chemistry Lab I
  Select one of the following:
 
MATH 220—Calculus I
 
MATH 234—Calculus for Business I
 
An introductory Statistics course, e.g., STAT 100, SOC 280, ECON 202, or a second semester of Calculus is recommended
27-31 Total hours beyond the core requirements
  Select one of the following:
 
ATMS 140—Climate and Global Change, or
 
GEOL 118—Natural Disasters
  Select one of the following:
 
GEOL 333—Earth Materials and the Env, or
 
GEOL 432—Mineralogy and Mineral Optics
  GEOL 380—Environmental Geology
  Ten to twelve additional advanced geology courses
  Six to eight hours Environmental Studies electives. (see Geology advisor for list of approved courses)

1. Students who decide to follow the curriculum after first taking GEOL 100 or 101 or 111 should enroll in GEOL 108. Students not taking the GEOL 107 field trip are required to take GEOL 110. GEOL 101 or GEOL 100 will be accepted as a substitute for GEOL 107, but students should be aware that these courses are not intended for science majors.

Earth Science Teaching Option

Completion of this option fulfills state certification requirements to teach both earth science and general science. In order to remain in good standing in this program and be recommended for certification, candidates are required to maintain UIUC, cumulative, content area, and professional education, grade-point averages of 2.5 (A= 4.0). Candidates should consult their advisor or the Council on Teacher Education for the list of courses used to compute these grade-point averages.

E-mail: geology@uiuc.edu

Web address for department: www.geology.uiuc.edu

Degree title: Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences

Minimum required course work normally equates to 61-64 hours

General education: Students must fulfill the LAS general education requirements. In addition, students must take one of the following speech performance courses: SPCM 101, 113, 120, 321, or 323. Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours

Departmental distinction: The student must have a grade-point average of at least 3.5 in all geology courses as well as all courses in the Teacher Education Minor and a GPA of at least 3.0 in all other science and mathematics courses and must present evidence of exemplary teaching.

Prerequisites to transfer to the Teaching Option (must be completed or be in progress): EPSY 201; EPS 201 or 202; CHEM 102; CHEM 103; MATH 220 or 234; GEOL 107; and GEOL 333. In addition, the student is required to pass the State Basic Skills Test before application to the teaching minor.

In addition to the requirements for the option listed below, students must complete the Teacher Education Minor in Secondary School Teaching (37 hours). See the College of Education section for requirements of the minor - www.ed.uiuc.edu/CTE. 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. Ordinarily, all students will require 10 semesters to complete this program.

Hours Requirements
6 Select one group of courses:
 
ASTR 100—Perspective in Astronomy
 
ASTR 113—The Sky
  or
 
ASTR 121—The Solar System
 
ASTR 122—Stars and Galaxies
3 ATMS 100—Introduction to Meteorology
4 IB 101—Biological Sciences
4 Select one group of courses:
 
CHEM 102—General Chemistry I
 
CHEM 103—General Chemistry Lab I
  or
 
CHEM 202—Accelerated Chemistry I
 
CHEM 203—Accelerated Chemistry Lab I
4 GEOL 107—Physical Geology
4 GEOL 108—Historical Geology
3 GEOL 117—The Oceans
4 GEOL 333*—Earth Materials and the Environment
3 GEOL 420—Introduction to Paleontology
8 Advanced-hour course work in Geology
4-5 Select one:
 
MATH 220—Calculus I
 
MATH 234—Calculus for Business I
10-12 Select one group of courses:
 
PHYS 101—College Physics, Mech & Heat
 
PHYS 102—College Physics, E&M & Modern
  or
 
PHYS 211—Univ Physics, Mechanics
 
PHYS 212—Univ Physics, Elec & Mag
 
PHYS 213—Univ Physics, Thermal Physics
 
PHYS 214—Univ Physics, Quantum Phys

*Students can substitute GEOL 333 Earth Materials and the Env with GEOL 432 Mineralogy and Mineral Optics.

Twelve hours of 300- and 400-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: geology@uiuc.edu

Web address for department: www.geology.uiuc.edu

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 492 or 493, are recommended for graduation with distinction.

Geology Option

Hours Requirements
8-9 Chemistry. Select one group of courses:
 
CHEM 102—General Chemistry I and
 
CHEM 103—General Chemistry Lab I, and
 
CHEM 104—General Chemistry II, and
 
CHEM 105—General Chemistry Lab II
  or
 
CHEM 202—Accelerated Chemistry I, and
 
CHEM 203—Accelerated Chemistry Lab I, and
 
CHEM 204—Accelerated Chemistry II, and
 
CHEM 205—Accelerated Chemistry Lab II
451 Geology:
 
GEOL 107—Physical Geology
 
GEOL 1082—Historical Geology
 
GEOL 411—Structural Geol and Tectonics
 
GEOL 4173—Geol Field Methods, Western US
 
GEOL 420—Introduction to Paleontology
 
GEOL 432—Mineralogy and Mineral Optics
 
GEOL 436—Petrology and Petrography
 
GEOL 440—Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
 
Select one:
 
GEOL 450—Physics of the Earth
 
or
 
GEOL 452—Introduction to Geophysics
  GEOL 460—Geochemistry
  6 additional hours 300- or 400-level geology
13-14 Mathematics:
 
MATH 220—Calculus I
 
MATH 230—Calculus II
 
Select one:
 
MATH 225—Introductory Matrix Theory
 
or
 
MATH 415—Linear Algebra
  MATH 242—Calculus of Several Variables
8-10 Physics. Select one group of courses:
 
PHYS 211— Univ Physics, Mechanics and
 
PHYS 212— Univ Physics, Elec & Mag
  or
 
PHYS 101— College Physics, Mech & Heat
 
PHYS 102— College Physics, E&M & Modern
3 Additional Technical Requirements
  Choose at least 3 hours from the following:
 
IB 103—Introduction to Plant Biology
 
IB 104—Animal Biology
 
CS 101— Intro to Computing, Eng & Sci
 
CS 125— Intro to Computer Science
 
CPSC 440— Applied Statistical Methods I
 
STAT 400—Statistics and Probability I
 
MATH 380—Advanced Calculus
 
MATH 385—Intro Differential Equations
 
MATH 441—Differential Equations
 
PHYS 213— Univ Physics, Thermal Physics
 
PHYS 214— Univ Physics, Quantum Phys

Geophysics Option

Hours Requirements
8-9 Select one group of courses:
 
CHEM 102—General Chemistry I, and
 
CHEM 103—General Chemistry Lab I, and
 
CHEM 104—General Chemistry II, and
 
CHEM 105—General Chemistry Lab II
  or
 
CHEM 202—Accelerated Chemistry I, and
 
CHEM 203—Accelerated Chemistry Lab I, and
 
CHEM 204—Accelerated Chemistry II, and
 
CHEM 205—Accelerated Chemistry Lab II
22 Geology:
 
GEOL 107—Physical Geology
 
GEOL 1082—Historical Geology
 
GEOL 452—Introduction to Geophysics
 
10 additional hours of 300 or 400 level geology
19-20 Mathematics:
 
MATH 220—Calculus I
 
MATH 230—Calculus II
 
MATH 242—Calculus of Several Variables
 
Select one:
 
MATH 225—Introductory Matrix Theory
 
or
 
MATH 415—Linear Algebra
 
MATH 380—Advanced Calculus
 
MATH 385—Intro Differential Equations
15- 17 Physics:
 
PHYS 211— Univ Physics, Mechanics
 
PHYS 212— Univ Physics, Elec & Mag
 
PHYS 213— Univ Physics, Thermal Physics
 
PHYS 214— Univ Physics, Quantum Phys
 
Select one group of courses:
 
PHYS 325— Mechanics and Relativity I
 
or
 
TAM 210— Introduction to Statics and
 
TAM 212— Introductory Dynamics
13 Additional Technical Requirements:
 
Select either:
 
CS 101— Intro to Computing, Eng & Sci
 
or
 
CS 125— Intro to Computer Science
 
Select one course from:
 
MSE 401— Thermodynamics of Materials
 
PHYS 427— Thermo & Statistical Physics
 
CHEM 444—Physical Chemistry II
 
Six hours of other 300- or 400-level science, math, or engineering courses selected with adviser approval.

Environmental Geology Option

Hours Requirements
8-9 Select one group of courses:
 
CHEM 102—General Chemistry I, and
 
CHEM 103—General Chemistry Lab I, and
 
CHEM 104—General Chemistry II, and
 
CHEM 105—General Chemistry Lab II
  or
 
CHEM 202—Accelerated Chemistry I, and
 
CHEM 203—Accelerated Chemistry Lab I, and
 
CHEM 204—Accelerated Chemistry II, and
 
CHEM 205—Accelerated Chemistry Lab II
23-24 Geology:
 
GEOL 1072—Physical Geology
 
GEOL 1082—Historical Geology
 
GEOL 401—Geomorphology
 
Select one:
 
GEOL 451—Methods In Applied Geophysics
 
or
 
GEOL 452—Introduction to Geophysics
 
GEOL 470—Introduction to Hydrogeology
 
GEOL 482—Current Problems in Env Geol
11 Mathematics:
 
MATH 220—Calculus I
 
MATH 230—Calculus II
 
MATH 242—Calculus of Several Variables
8-10 Physics. Select from:
 
PHYS 211— Univ Physics, Mechanics and
 
PHYS 212— Univ Physics, Elec & Mag
  or
 
PHYS 101— College Physics, Mech & Heat and
 
PHYS 102— College Physics, E&M & Modern
4 Statistics. Select from:
 
CPSC 440— Applied Statistical Methods I
 
STAT 400—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 330— Environmental Engineering
 
CHEM 232—Elementary Organic Chemistry I
 
CS 101— Intro to Computing, Eng & Sci or
 
CS 125— Intro to Computer Science
 
ENVS 431— Environmental Toxic Substances
 
ENVS 451— Environmental Organic Chem
 
GEOG 477—Introduction to Remote Sensing
 
GEOL 411—Structural Geol and Tectonics
 
GEOL 4173—Geol Field Methods, Western US
 
GEOL 432—Mineralogy and Mineral Optics
 
GEOL 436—Petrology and Petrography
 
GEOL 440—Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
 
GEOL 460—Geochemistry
 
MATH 225—Introductory Matrix Theory
 
MATH 415—Linear Algebra
 
MATH 380—Advanced Calculus
 
MATH 385—Intro Differential Equations
 
MATH 441—Differential Equations
 
MCB 100—Introductory Microbiology
 
MCB 101—Intro Microbiology Laboratory
 
PHYS 213— Univ Physics, Thermal Physics
 
PHYS 214— Univ Physics, Quantum Phys
 
STAT 420—Methods of Applied Statistics
 
TAM 210— Introduction to Statics
 
TAM 211— Statics

1. Students transferring into the geology option from another science or engineering program may substitute up to 8 hours of 300-or 400-level science or engineering credits for 8 hours of 300-or 400-level geology courses with departmental approval.

2. Students who decide to follow the curriculum after first taking GEOL 100 or 101 or 111 should enroll in GEOL 108. Students not taking the GEOL 107 field trip are required to take GEOL 110. GEOL 101 or GEOL 100 will be accepted as a substitute for GEOL 107, but students should be aware that these courses are not intended for science majors.

3. GEOL 417 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- or 400- level will depend on the major and interests of the student.

E-mail: geology@uiuc.edu

Web address for department: www.geology.uiuc.edu

Hours Requirements
8 GEOL 107—Physical Geology
  GEOL 108—Historical Geology1
10-11 GEOL 333—Earth Materials and the Env
  GEOL 380—Environmental Geology
  300-or 400-level courses taught by the Department of Geology
18-19 Total hours

1. Students who decide to follow the curriculum after first taking GEOL 100 or 101 or 111 should enroll in GEOL 108. Students not taking the GEOL 107 field trip are required to take GEOL 110. GEOL 101 or GEOL 100 will be accepted as a substitute for GEOL 107, but students should be aware that these courses are not intended for science majors.