BA in Geology with concentration in General Geology

Below is a sample 4-year plan for students pursuing the BA in Geology with a concentration in General Geology. To view the list of courses approved to fulfill KU Core Goals, please visit the KU Core website.

Freshman
FallHoursSpringHours 
ENGL 101 (Goal 2.1 Written Communication/BA Writing I)13ENGL 102 (Goal 2.1 Written Communication/BA Writing II)3 
MATH 101 or GEOL 190 (Goal 1.2 Quantitative Reasoning)3MATH 115 or 125 (BA Quantitative Reasoning (QR), Major Pre-requisite)3-4 
1st Semester Language (BA Second Language)52nd Semester Language (BA Second Language)5 
BIOL 100 (Goal 3 Natural Science, Major Pre-requisite)3CHEM 130 (Major Pre-requisite)5 
BIOL 102 (BA Laboratory/Field Experience (LFE), Major Pre-Requisite)1  
 15 16-17 
Sophomore
FallHoursSpringHoursSummerHours
3rd Semester Language (BA Second Language)34th Semester Language, or 1st semester of Another Language (BA Second Language)3-5GEOL 360 (Summer only), Major Requirement2
Goal 1.1 Critical Thinking3Goal 2.2 Communication3 
EECS 138 (Major Pre-requisite)3GEOL 331 (Major Requirement)34 
GEOL 101 (Major Requirement)3PHSX 111, 114, or 211 and 216 (Major Pre-requisite)3-5 
GEOL 103 (Major Requirement)2  
 14 13-17 2
Junior
FallHoursSpringHoursSummerHours
Goal 3 Arts and Humanities3Goal 4.2 Global Awareness3GEOL 560 (Summer only), Goal 6 Integration & Creativity, Major Requirement3
Goal 3 Social ScienceGoal 5 Social Responsibility & Ethics 3 
Goal 4.1 US Diversity3GEOL 562 (Major Requirement)34 
GEOL 311 (Major Requirement)33Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours53 
GEOL Elective 300+ (Major Requirement)2, 33Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours52 
 12 15 3
Senior
FallHoursSpringHours 
GEOL 521 (Major Requirement)33GEOL Elective 300+ (Major Requirement)2, 33 
GEOL Elective 300+ (Major Requirement)2, 33GEOL Elective 300+ (Major Requirement)2, 33 
LA&S 490 (Recommended, or elective)3GEOL Elective 300+ (Major Requirement)2, 33 
Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours53Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours53 
Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours53Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours53 
 15 15 
Total Hours 120-125
1

The BA requires completion of two courses of collegiate-level writing instruction. Students who test out of Composition will still need to complete ENGL 102 (or equivalent) and one additional Goal 2.1 course.   

2

Geology majors are required to complete 15 hours of elective. The General Geology track offers electives in Solid Earth, Surface Earth, and Geology and Natural Resources. For a list of applicable electives see the degree requirements tab.

3

All major required Geology courses and most Geology elective courses numbered 300 and above are offered once a year, either in the fall, spring or summer term.

4

Visit this website for a list of courses that fulfill the BA Quantitative Reasoning requirement. 

5

Hour requirements (incl. 45 jr/sr hrs) are typically met through KU core, degree, major, second area of study and/or elective hours.  Students completing the BGS with a major must choose a secondary area of study.  Individual degree mapping is done in partnership with your advisor.

Please note:

All students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are required to complete 120 total hours of which 45 hours must be at the Jr/Sr (300+) level.

The same course cannot be used to fulfill more than one KU Core Goal. However, overlap of a KU Core course with a major or degree-specific requirement is allowed. Overlapping is recommended to allow more opportunities to explore other majors and/or minors.