Bachelor of Arts in Geology
Why study geology?
In Geology you get to apply techniques and knowledge from chemistry, physics, biology and math to answer important questions about Earth processes, history and future. Geologists are in demand to evaluate geologic hazards, evaluate natural resources, and understand the environment including water quality and climate change.
The B.A. program allows many free electives for background courses in the sciences or liberal arts. The program permits study of traditional geology (with emphasis on the solid earth, the earth's surface, or environmental geology and natural resources), or environmental geology (with emphasis on water or urban environmental geology).
Undergraduate Admission
Admission to KU
All students applying for admission must send high school and college transcripts to the Office of Admissions. Prospective first-year students should be aware that KU has qualified admission requirements that all new first-year students must meet to be admitted. Consult the Office of Admissions for application deadlines and specific admission requirements.
Visit the International Support Services for information about international admissions.
Students considering transferring to KU may see how their college-level course work will transfer on the Office of the University Registrar website.
Geology Programs
The B.A. program allows many free electives for background courses in the sciences or liberal arts. The program permits study of traditional geology (with emphasis on the solid earth, the earth’s surface, or environmental geology and natural resources), or environmental geology (with emphasis on water or urban environmental geology).
Degree requirements may be altered to suit particular needs of a student upon petition to the undergraduate studies committee and in consultation with a geology faculty advisor. Special consideration is given to students with strong backgrounds in supporting sciences and students with superior records who decide to major in geology late in their programs.
First- and Second-Year Preparation
Students interested in geology should see a department advisor as soon as possible. They should enroll in mathematics, chemistry, and English in addition to Introduction to Geology and electives. Students should plan to take GEOL 360 or GEOL 370 in the summer after completing the introductory geology course.
Advising
Developing a strong relationship with a faculty advisor helps students get the most out of their educational programs in the shortest time. Most courses for majors are offered in only one semester each year. Advisors can guide the student through complexities of the curriculum or into a specialized program.
Requirements for the B.A. Major
Geology Major Course Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Geology Prerequisite or Co-requisite Knowledge | ||
| Majors must complete courses as specified in each of the following areas. Majors are advised to take honors courses when eligible. These hours do not contribute to the minimum number of hours required for the major. | ||
| Calculus I. Satisfied by: | ||
| Introduction to Quantitative Geoscience (or MATH 115 or MATH 125) | ||
| Foundations of Chemistry I. Satisfied by: | ||
| General Chemistry I | ||
| Physics. Satisfied by one of the following: | ||
| College Physics I | ||
| General Physics I and General Physics I Laboratory | ||
| Biology. Satisfied by: | ||
| Principles of Biology and Principles of Biology Laboratory (or higher level biology course) | ||
| Information Technology. Satisfied by: | ||
| Introduction to Computing: _____ | ||
| Geology Core Knowledge and Skills | ||
| Majors must complete the following core courses: | ||
| Introduction to Geology. Satisfied by: | ||
| GEOL 101 | The Way The Earth Works | 3 |
| Geology Fundamentals Laboratory. Satisfied by: | ||
| GEOL 103 | Geology Fundamentals Laboratory | 2 |
| Mineralogy and Structure of the Earth. Satisfied by: | ||
| GEOL 311 | Mineralogy and Structure of the Earth | 3 |
| Sedimentology and Stratigraphy. Satisfied by: | ||
| GEOL 331 | Sedimentology and Stratigraphy | 4 |
| Field Investigation. Satisfied by: | ||
| GEOL 360 | Field Investigation | 2-3 |
| or GEOL 370 | Study Abroad in Greece: Natural Environment and Civilizations | |
| Paleontology. Satisfied by: | ||
| GEOL 521 | Paleontology | 3 |
| Structural Geology. Satisfied by: | ||
| GEOL 562 | Structural Geology | 4 |
| Capstone Course | ||
| Introductory Field Geology. Satisfied by: | ||
| GEOL 560 | Introductory Field Geology | 3 |
| Geology Required Electives or Concentration Coursework | ||
| Majors must complete a minimum of 15 hours in geology or related courses. Several possible tracks of upper-level course work are given below. | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 39-40 | |
No Concentration
Concentrate on traditional geology with emphasis on the solid earth and the earth’s interior, earth surface processes, or environmental geology and natural resources. Students must complete at least one course from each of the three categories listed below: Rocks; Water and Climate; Life
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Rocks | ||
| GEOL 115 | Gemstones | 3 |
| GEOL 312 | Mineral Structures and Equilibria Laboratory | 1 |
| GEOL 501 | Simple Error Analysis for Earth Scientists | 3 |
| GEOL 502 | Linear Algebra for Earth Scientists | 3 |
| GEOL 503 | Numerical Methods in the Earth Sciences | 2-3 |
| GEOL 512 | Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology | 3 |
| GEOL 513 | Petrology Laboratory | 1 |
| GEOL 536 | Geological Log Analysis | 1 |
| GEOL 538 | Basin Analysis | 3 |
| GEOL 539 | Sequence Stratigraphy | 3 |
| GEOL 572 | Geophysics | 3 |
| Water & Climate | ||
| GEOL 142 | Oceanography | 4 |
| GEOL 151 | Environmental Geology | 3 |
| GEOL 301 | Introduction to Oceanography | 3 |
| GEOL 541 | Geomorphology | 4 |
| GEOL 542 | Energy and Society | 3 |
| GEOL 543 | Environmental Ethics: A View from the National Parks | 3 |
| GEOL 552 | Introduction to Hydrogeology | 3 |
| GEOL 554 | Contaminants in Groundwater | 3 |
| GEOL 555 | Climate Science | 3 |
| EVRN 332 | Environmental Law (prerequisite: EVRN 148) | 3 |
| Life | ||
| GEOL 304 | Historical Geology | 3 |
| GEOL 391 | Special Studies in Geology | 1-6 |
| GEOL 523 | Paleontology Laboratory | 1 |
| GEOL 591 | Topics in Geology: _____ | 1-5 |
Environmental Geology Concentration
Concentrate on environmental geology with emphasis on water and the environment or urban environmental geology. Students must complete at least one course from each of the following two categories: Water, Geology and the Environment; Urban Environmental Geology
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Water, Geology, and the Environment | ||
| GEOL 142 | Oceanography | 4 |
| GEOL 151 | Environmental Geology | 3 |
| GEOL 391 | Special Studies in Geology | 1-6 |
| GEOL 541 | Geomorphology | 4 |
| GEOL 552 | Introduction to Hydrogeology | 3 |
| CE 477 | Introduction to Environmental Engineering and Science | 3 |
| BIOL 661 | Ecology of Rivers and Lakes | 3 |
| Urban Environmental Geology | ||
| GEOL 151 | Environmental Geology | 3 |
| ATMO 525 | Air Pollution Meteorology | 3 |
| CE 477 | Introduction to Environmental Engineering and Science | 3 |
| GEOG 304 | Environmental Conservation | 3 |
| Other Elective Courses | ||
| BIOL 414 | Principles of Ecology | 3 |
| GEOG 558 | Spatial Data Analysis | 4 |
Major Hours & Major GPA
While completing all required courses, majors must also meet each of the following hour and grade-point average minimum standards:
Major Hours
Satisfied by 39-40 hours of major courses.
Major Hours in Residence
Satisfied by a minimum of 15 hours of KU resident credit in the major.
Major Junior/Senior Hours
Satisfied by a minimum of 12 hours from junior/senior courses (300+) in the major.
Major Junior/Senior Graduation GPA
Satisfied by a minimum of a 2.0 KU GPA in junior/senior courses (300+) in the major. GPA calculations include all junior/senior courses in the field of study including F’s and repeated courses. See the Semester/Cumulative GPA Calculator.
Sample 4-year plans for the BA degree in Geology with the following concentrations can be found here: BA in Geology (no concentration) and concentration in Environmental Geology, or by using the left-side navigation.
At the completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Understand the hazards posed by geologic processes for human lives and communities as well as the impact of humans on the Earth System. (Hazards and Human Impacts)
- Apply concepts from physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, and spatial reasoning to understand Earth’s systems, cycles, and evolution. (Interdisciplinary Thinking)
- Formulate hypotheses, qualify results by stating assumptions and caveats, and test hypotheses using modern techniques. (Geologic Inquiry)
- Critically evaluate Earth Science literature and spatial data (e.g., maps, remote sensing, 3D models). (Evaluating Geologic Data)
- Present, formally and extemporaneously, geological information in written form, graphically, and orally. (Communication Skills)
Departmental Honors
Pursuit of departmental honors in Geology is by invitation from the Department of Geology honors coordinator.
Requirements include:
3.50 or higher KU geology-courses GPA at graduation.
Completion of at least 2 credit hours of GEOL 399.
Completion and successful defense of an honor's thesis.
Additional requirements and more information may be obtained from the Department of Geology honors coordinator and web site.