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.S. program provides intensive training in geology and other sciences. B.S. majors may emphasize traditional geology, environmental geology (with a specialized track in hydrogeology), engineering geology, geophysics, or earth and space science licensure. The hydrogeology track, the engineering geology option, and the geophysics option combine basic training in geology with training in mathematics, engineering, physics, and geophysics. The environmental geology option combines training in geology with many different sciences.

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.

First- and Second-Year Preparation

Students interested in geology, especially in the B.S. degree, 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.S. Degree

The B.S. program provides intensive training in geology and other sciences. B.S. majors may choose a concentration in environmental geology, geophysics, or Earth & Space. The the geophysics concentration combines basic training in geology with training in mathematics, engineering, physics, and geophysics. The environmental geology concentration combines training in geology with many different sciences. The Earth & Space concentration prepares students for apply for secondary education teacher licensure.

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.

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 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 18 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.

Environmental Geology Concentration

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 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 45 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.

Geophysics Concentration

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 45 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.

Earth and Space Science Licensure Concentration

This program fulfills the requirements for a Bachelor of Science degree in geology. The program also meets course requirements necessary to gain state licensure eligibility in earth and space science to become a secondary teacher in Kansas, but completion of the program does not guarantee the student’s licensure. This list is a guideline. Contact the geology department for further information about meeting degree and additional licensure requirements. You may also contact the STEMTeach Office for information about similar tracks resulting in eligibility for licensure in this and other science and mathematics fields.

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.