Geology, Bachelor of Science

To obtain a B.S. with a major in Geology, a student must fulfill university, college, and departmental requirements. Minimum hour requirements follow:

  • 46 hours of University General Education courses - (Most commonly, Geology majors do not complete 46 hours of coursework solely for the purpose of meeting University General Education requirements.  Instead, they often test out of at least three hours of fundamental academic skills, take courses that meet both the six hours of diversity requirements and six hours of distribution requirements, and meet the seven-hour natural sciences distribution requirement through completing major courses.  In such cases, the number of credit hours taken solely to meet General Education requirements is reduced to 30 or fewer.)         
  • 12 hours of college breadth requirement
  • 74 hours of major courses
  • Elective hours as required to total 120 hours

TOTAL HOURS: 120

Requirements

Geology is offered as a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree.  Students may choose one of two tracks to follow: a general geology track and a geology career track.  Requirements for each are below.

The required core courses for either the B.A. or B.S. degree in geology are:

GEOL 1170INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL GEOLOGY4
GEOL 1180INTRODUCTION TO HISTORICAL GEOLOGY4
GEOL 2300GEOSCIENCE DATA ANALYSIS AND MODELING3
GEOL 2750MINERALOGY3
GEOL 2754MINERALOGY LABORATORY1
GEOL 3300STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY3
GEOL 3310STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY FIELD METHODS1
GEOL 3400INTRODUCTION TO SEDIMENTARY GEOLOGY3
GEOL 4620ADVANCED FIELD COURSE6
Students must choose one of the tracks below.

General Geology Track

In addition to the core geology requirements, students wishing to follow the general geology track must also take one of the following:

GEOL 4260PROCESS GEOMORPHOLOGY4
GEOL/GEOG 4640CRITICAL ZONE SCIENCE4
GEOL/GEOG 4330SOIL GENESIS, MORPHOLOGY AND CLASSIFICATION4
In addition, students in the General geology track must take one of the following:
GEOL 4800INTERNSHIP IN ENVIRONMENTAL/REGIONAL PLANNING/EARTH SCIENCE3
GEOL 4950SENIOR THESIS3
In addition, the major must select at least twelve hours of geology or geography courses that should be chosen after consultation with an advisor12
Required cognate courses are:
An approved statistics course3
CHEM 1140FUNDAMENTALS OF COLLEGE CHEMISTRY4
CHEM 1144FUNDAMENTALS OF COLLEGE CHEMISTRY LABORATORY1
PHYS 1110GENERAL PHYSICS I4
PHYS 1154GENERAL PHYSICS LABORATORY I1
Select one of the following options:
Option 1:
PHYS 1120GENERAL PHYSICS II4
PHYS 1164GENERAL PHYSICS LABORATORY II1
Option 2:
GEOL 4400GEOPHYSICS3

Geology Career Track

In addition to the core geology requirements, students wishing to follow the geology career track must also take one of the following:

GEOL 4260PROCESS GEOMORPHOLOGY4
GEOL/GEOG 4640CRITICAL ZONE SCIENCE4
GEOL/GEOG 4330SOIL GENESIS, MORPHOLOGY AND CLASSIFICATION4
Additionally, students in the geology career track must take one of the following:
GEOL 4800INTERNSHIP IN ENVIRONMENTAL/REGIONAL PLANNING/EARTH SCIENCE3
GEOL 4950SENIOR THESIS3
Students must also take additional geology/geography/related-field courses, which add up to at least twelve credits, and should be chosen after consultation with an advisor.12
Required cognate courses:
Chemistry
CHEM 1180GENERAL CHEMISTRY I3
CHEM 1184GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY1
Select one of the following options:
Option 1:
CHEM 1190GENERAL CHEMISTRY II3
CHEM 1194GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LABORATORY1
Option 2:
GEOL 4540GEOCHEMISTRY3
Math
Select one of the following options:
Option 1:
MATH 1950CALCULUS I5
MATH 1960CALCULUS II4
Option 2:
MATH 1930CALCULUS FOR THE MANAGERIAL, LIFE, AND SOCIAL SCIENCES3
Physics
PHYS 2110GENERAL PHYSICS I - CALCULUS LEVEL4
PHYS 1154GENERAL PHYSICS LABORATORY I1
Select one of the following options:
Option 1:
PHYS 2120GENERAL PHYSICS-CALCULUS LEVEL4
PHYS 1164GENERAL PHYSICS LABORATORY II1
Option 2:
GEOL 4400GEOPHYSICS3

 Career Geology Track

Plan of Study Grid
Freshman
FallCredits
GEOL 1170 INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL GEOLOGY 4
MATH 1930 CALCULUS FOR THE MANAGERIAL, LIFE, AND SOCIAL SCIENCES (*) 3
ENGL 1150 ENGLISH COMPOSITION I (**) 3
CMST 1110
or CMST 2120
 PUBLIC SPEAKING FUNDS
or ARGUMENTATION AND DEBATE
 3
Humanities and Fine Arts 3
*MATH 1930: Requires MATH 1320 within the last two years, or Math ACT sub-score of 25 within the last two years, or appropriate Math Placement Exam score within the last two years. (As an alternative, students may opt to take MATH 1950 and MATH 1960 with proper placement.)
**ENGL 1150: Requires appropriate placement via EPPE, AP, or ACT.
 Credits16
Spring
GEOL 1180 INTRODUCTION TO HISTORICAL GEOLOGY (*) 4
CHEM 1180
& CHEM 1184		 GENERAL CHEMISTRY I
and GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY (**)		 4
ENGL 1160 ENGLISH COMPOSITION II (***) 3
Social Science 3
*GEOL 1180: Requires GEOL 1170 (Consult with your advisor prior to enrolling in this course)
**CHEM 1180: See the catalog for the most up-to-date prerquisites. Must take CHEM 1184 concurrently. CHEM 1180 & 1184 are part of the BS Cognate.
***ENGL 1160: Requires ENGL 1150 or appropriate placement via EPPE or AP.
 Credits14
Sophomore
Fall
GEOL 2750
& GEOL 2754		 MINERALOGY
and MINERALOGY LABORATORY (*)		 4
GEOL 2300 GEOSCIENCE DATA ANALYSIS AND MODELING (**) 3
Humanities and Fine Arts/Global Diversity 3
HIST 1000 or Minor/2nd Major Course*** 3
*GEOL 2750: Requires GEOL 1170. GEOL 2754 must be taken concurrently.
**GEOL 2300: Requires GEOL 1010 or GEOL 1170 or GEOG 1030 or permission of instructor.
***A&S College Requirement Option.
 Credits13
Spring
Approved GEOL Elective 4
PHYS 2110
& PHYS 1154		 GENERAL PHYSICS I - CALCULUS LEVEL
and GENERAL PHYSICS LABORATORY I (*)		 5
Social Science/US Diversity 3
CHEM 1190
& CHEM 1194
or GEOL 4540
 GENERAL CHEMISTRY II (**)
or GEOCHEMISTRY
 3-4
*PHYS 2110: Requires MATH 1930 for Geology majors, or Math ACT sub-score of 25, or appropriate Math Placement Exam score. PHYS 2110-1154 is a part of the BS Cognate.
**CHEM 1190: See the catalog for the most up-to-date prerequisites. Requires concurrent enrollment in CHEM 1194.
 Credits15-16
Junior
Fall
GEOL 3400 INTRODUCTION TO SEDIMENTARY GEOLOGY (*) 3
Approved GEOL Elective 3
Approved GEOL Elective 4
PHYS 2120
& PHYS 1164
or GEOL 4400
 GENERAL PHYSICS-CALCULUS LEVEL (**)
or GEOPHYSICS
 3-5
HIST 1010 or Minor/2nd Major Course*** 3
*GEOL 3400: Requires GEOL 2750 and 2754
**PHYS 2120: Requires PHYS 2110 and MATH 1960 or for Geology majors, Math 1930
***A&S College Requirement Option.
 Credits16-18
Spring
GEOL 3300
& GEOL 3310		 STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY
and STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY FIELD METHODS (*)		 4
GEOL 4260
or GEOG 4260
or GEOL 4640
or GEOG 4640
or GEOL 4330
or GEOG 4330
 PROCESS GEOMORPHOLOGY (**,***)
or PROCESS GEOMORPHOLOGY
or CRITICAL ZONE SCIENCE
or CRITICAL ZONE SCIENCE
or SOIL GENESIS, MORPHOLOGY AND CLASSIFICATION
or SOIL GENESIS, MORPHOLOGY AND CLASSIFICATION
 4
Social Science# 3
Humanities and Fine Arts course^ 3
*GEOL 3300: Requires GEOL 2750+2754
**GEOL 4260: Requires GEOG 1030 or GEOG 1050 or GEOL 1010 or GEOL 1170
***GEOL/GEOG 4640: Requires GEOL 1170 or GEOL 1010 or GEOG 1030; and one chemistry or physics course recommended. GEOL/GEOG 4330: Requires GEOL 1030 or GEOG 1050 or GEOL 1010 or GEOL 1170.
# Social Science must be in a 2nd discipline.
^ HFA must be from 2nd discipline.
 Credits14
Summer
GEOL 4620 ADVANCED FIELD COURSE (*,**) 6
*GEOL 4620 is usually taken in the Summer between Junior and Senior Years.
**GEOL 4620: Requires GEOL 1170; GEOL 1180; GEOL 2750; GEOL 2760; GEOL 3300
 Credits6
Senior
Fall
GEOL elective 1
Additional Humanity/Fine Arts course for A&S or Minor/2nd Major course* 3
Additional Social Science for A&S or Minor/2nd Major course** 3
Elective or Minor/2nd Major course*** 3
Elective or Minor/2nd Major course*** 3
*A&S College Requirement Option. Humanities/Fine Arts course for A&S must be in a 3rd discipline.
**A&S College Requirement Option. Additional SS must be in a 3rd discipline.
***120 total credits are required for a degree, with a minimum of 18 upper level (3000-4000) credits in the major and 27 upper level credits throughout the degree. Selecting 3000-4000 level electives can help you reach these minimums.
 Credits13
Spring
GEOL 4800
or GEOL 4950
 INTERNSHIP IN ENVIRONMENTAL/REGIONAL PLANNING/EARTH SCIENCE (*,**)
or SENIOR THESIS
 3
ENGL 3980 TECHNICAL WRITING ACROSS THE DISCIPLINES (OR Elective***) 3
Elective*** 3
Elective*** 4
*GEOL 4800: Requires Senior status, major or area of concentration in geography or environmental science AND permission.
**GEOL 4950: Requires Senior status
***120 total credits are required for a degree, with a minimum of 18 upper level (3000-4000) credits in the major and 27 upper level credits throughout the degree. Selecting 3000-4000 level electives can help you reach these minimums.
Note: If students take GEOL 4950, the Writing in the Discipline requirement will be fulfilled. If students select GEOL 4800, they must take a separate WID course, such as ENGL 3980. ENGL 3980 or other approved WID courses require ENGL 1160.
 Credits13
 Total Credits120-123

 General Geology Track

Plan of Study Grid
Freshman
FallCredits
GEOL 1170 INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL GEOLOGY 4
MATH 1220
or MATH 1300
 COLLEGE ALGEBRA (*)
or COLLEGE ALGEBRA WITH SUPPORT
 3-4
ENGL 1150 ENGLISH COMPOSITION I (**) 3
CMST 1110
or CMST 2120
 PUBLIC SPEAKING FUNDS
or ARGUMENTATION AND DEBATE
 3
Humanities and Fine Arts 3
*MATH: Please see the catalog for the most up-to-date prerequisites.
**ENGL 1150: Requires EPPE, ACT, or AP placement.
 Credits16-17
Spring
GEOL 1180 INTRODUCTION TO HISTORICAL GEOLOGY (*) 4
CHEM 1140
& CHEM 1144		 FUNDAMENTALS OF COLLEGE CHEMISTRY
and FUNDAMENTALS OF COLLEGE CHEMISTRY LABORATORY (**)		 5
ENGL 1160 ENGLISH COMPOSITION II (***) 3
Social Science 3
*GEOL 1180: Requires GEOL 1170 (Consult with your advisor prior to enrolling in this course)
**CHEM 1140-1144: Please see the catalog for the most up-to-date prerequisites. CHEM 1140+1144 is part of the BS Cognate.
***ENGL 1160: Requires ENGL 1150 with grade of C- or better, or EPPE or AP placement.
 Credits15
Sophomore
Fall
GEOL 2750
& GEOL 2754		 MINERALOGY
and MINERALOGY LABORATORY (*)		 4
Statistics course** 3
HIST 1010 or Minor/2nd Major Course*** 3
Humanities and Fine Arts/Global Diversity 3
*GEOL 2750: Requires GEOL 1170. Must take GEOL 2754 concurrently.
**Most statistics courses require some sort of prerequisite. Statistics is a part of the BS Cognate.
***A&S College Requirement Option.
 Credits13
Spring
PHYS 1110
& PHYS 1154		 GENERAL PHYSICS I
and GENERAL PHYSICS LABORATORY I (*)		 5
Approved GEOL Elective 4
Social Science/US Diversity 3
HIST 1000 or Minor/2nd Major Course** 3
*PHYS 1110: Requires MATH 1220 (or MATH 1300 or higher), or Math ACT sub-score of 23, or appropriate Math Placement Exam score. PHYS 1110+1154 are part of the BS Cognate.
**A&S College Requirement Option.
 Credits15
Junior
Fall
GEOL 3400 INTRODUCTION TO SEDIMENTARY GEOLOGY (*) 3
GEOL 2300 GEOSCIENCE DATA ANALYSIS AND MODELING (**) 3
PHYS 1120
& PHYS 1164
or GEOL 4400
 GENERAL PHYSICS II (***)
or GEOPHYSICS
 3-5
Approved GEOL elective^ 4
Elective course (if doing GEOL 4400 above) 2
*GEOL 3400: Requires GEOL 2750 and 2754 or permission of instructor
**GEOL 2300: Requires GEOL 1010 or GEOL 1170 or GEOG 1030
***PHYS 1120: Requires PHYS 1110
^GEOL 4400: Requires GEOL 1170 and PHYS 1110/2110.
 Credits15-17
Spring
GEOL 3300
& GEOL 3310		 STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY
and STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY FIELD METHODS (*)		 4
GEOL/GEOG 4260
or GEOL 4640
or GEOG 4640
or GEOL 4330
or GEOG 4330
 PROCESS GEOMORPHOLOGY (**,***)
or CRITICAL ZONE SCIENCE
or CRITICAL ZONE SCIENCE
or SOIL GENESIS, MORPHOLOGY AND CLASSIFICATION
or SOIL GENESIS, MORPHOLOGY AND CLASSIFICATION
 4
Social Science# 3
Social Science for A&S or Minor/2nd Major course^ 3
Elective course 1
*GEOL 3300: Requires GEOL 2750+2754
**GEOL 4260: Requires GEOG 1030 or GEOG 1050 or GEOL 1010 or GEOL 1170. Offered in Spring semesters of even years.
***GEOL/GEOG 4640: Requires GEOL 1170 or GEOL 1010 or GEOG 1030; and one chemistry or physics course recommended. Offered in Spring semesters of odd years. GEOL/GEOG 4330: Requires GEOG 1030 or GEOG 1050 or GEOL 1010 or GEOL 1170.
#Social Science must be in a 2nd discipline.
^Additional SS must be in a 3rd discipline.
Note: 120 total credits are required for a degree, with a minimum of 18 upper level (3000-4000) credits in the major and 27 upper level credits throughout the degree. Selecting 3000-4000 level electives can help you reach these minimums.
 Credits15
Summer
GEOL 4620 ADVANCED FIELD COURSE (*,**) 6
*GEOL 4620 is usually taken in the Summer between Junior and Senior Years.
**GEOL 4620: Requires GEOL 1170; GEOL 1180; GEOL 2750; GEOL 2760; GEOL 3300
 Credits6
Senior
Fall
Approved GEOL elective 3
Humanities and Fine Arts* 3
Additional Humanity & Fine Arts course for A&S or Minor/2nd Major course** 3
Elective*** 3
*Humanities/Fine Arts must be in a 2nd discipline.
**A&S College Requirement Option. HFA for A&S must be in a 3rd discipline.
***120 total credits are required for a degree, with a minimum of 18 upper level (3000-4000) credits in the major and 27 upper level credits throughout the degree. Selecting 3000-4000 level electives can help you reach these minimums.
 Credits12
Spring
GEOL 4800
or GEOL 4950
 INTERNSHIP IN ENVIRONMENTAL/REGIONAL PLANNING/EARTH SCIENCE (*,**)
or SENIOR THESIS
 3
GEOL 4260 PROCESS GEOMORPHOLOGY (if not taken previous spring) or elective/minor/2nd major course) 4
ENGL 3980 TECHNICAL WRITING ACROSS THE DISCIPLINES (OR Upper Level Elective***) 3
Minor or Elective course^ 3
*GEOL 4800: Requires Senior status, major or area of concentration in geography or environmental science AND permission.
**GEOL 4950: Requires Senior status
***Note: If students take GEOL 4950, the Writing in the Discipline requirement will be fulfilled. If students select GEOL 4800, they must take a separate WID course, such as ENGL 3980. ENGL 3980 or other approved WID courses require ENGL 1160.
^120 total credits are required for a degree, with a minimum of 18 upper level (3000-4000) credits in the major and 27 upper level credits throughout the degree. Selecting 3000-4000 level electives can help you reach these minimums.
 Credits13
 Total Credits120-123

This roadmap is a suggested plan of study and does not replace meeting with an advisor. Please note that students may need to adjust the actual sequence of courses based on course availability. Please consult an advisor in your major program for further guidance.


This plan is not a contract and curriculum is subject to change


Additional Information About this Plan:
University Degree Requirements: The minimum number of hours for a UNO undergraduate degree is 120 credit hours. Please review the requirements for your specific program to determine all requirements for the program. In order to graduate on-time (four years for an undergraduate degree), you need to take 30 hours each year.


Placement Exams: For Math, English, Foreign Language, a placement exam may be required. More information on these exams can be found at https://www.unomaha.edu/enrollment-management/testing-center/placement-exams/information.php


**Transfer credit or placement exam scores may change suggested plan of study