B.S. Earth and Environmental Sciences Program Map

Antelope, Arizona

Professional Geology Concentration

This concentration focuses on giving students a well rounded understanding of geology and its relevance to humanity. The aim is to have students be able to pass the ASBOG exam required to becoming a licensed professional geologist.

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60

Core Credit Hours

43

Major Credit Hours

17

Elective Credit Hours

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Plan Your Degree

Disclaimer: This program map is intended ONLY as a guide for students to plan their course of study. It does NOT replace any information in the Undergraduate Catalog, which is the official guide for completing degree requirements.

Term 1: Fall
Course Name Credit Hours
C1: ENGL 1101

English Composition I

 3
M: MATH 1113

Precalculus

 3
F: GEOL 1121 + Lab

Introduction to Geosciences I

 4
A: Humanities  3
I2: Institutional Options 3

Milestones:

  • Complete ENGL 1101 C or better 
  • Complete MATH 1113 B or better 

Term 2: Spring
Course Name Credit Hours
C2: ENGL 1102

English Composition II

 3
F: GEOG 1112 + Lab

Weather and Climate

 4
F: GEOL 1122 + Lab

Introduction to Geosciences II

 4
P1: HIST 2111 OR 2112

US History

 3

Milestones:

  • Complete ENGL 1102 C or better 
  • Complete GEOL 1121-1122 sequence C or better
  • Target: 30 credit hours completed.

 

16 Fall Credit Hours + 14 Spring Credit Hours = 30 Credit Hours

Term 1: Fall
Course Name Credit Hours
F: CHEM 1211 + Lab

Principles of Chemistry I

 4
Geology 3004

Field Geology and Geologic Mapping

 4
F: MATH 1401 OR 1634

Elementary Statistics or Calculus I

 3/4
P2: POLS 1101

American Government

 3

Milestones:

  • Complete CHEM 1211/1211L
  • Complete Field Geology (GEOL 3004) C or better
  • Plan for courses offered only alternate years
  • Target: 45 credit hours completed 

Term 2: Spring
Course Name Credit Hours
GEOG/GEOL 2333

Intro to Research in Earth & Environmental Sciences

 2
GEOL 3034

Structural Geology

 4
F: GEOG 2553

Introduction to GIS and Mapping Sciences

 3
A: Humanities 3
T2: STEM Course 3
I2: Institutional Priority 1

Milestones:

  • Complete CHEM 1212/1212L
  • Complete Structural (Geol 3034)
  • Plan for courses offered only alternate years
  • Target: 60 credit hours completed
  • Complete GEOL/GEOL 2333

 

14-to-15 Fall Credit Hours + 16 Spring Credit Hours = 30-to-31 Credit Hours

Term 1: Fall
Course Name Credit Hours
GEOL 3014

Mineralogy and Crystallography

 4
S1: HIST 1111 OR 1112

World History

 3
GEOL Elective 4
T3: STEM Course 3

Milestones:

  • Complete Mineralogy (Geol 3014) C or better
  • Plan for courses offered only alternate years
  • Target: 75 credit hours completed.

Term 2: Spring
Course Name Credit Hours
GEOL 3024

Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology

 4
GEOL 4084

Hydrogeology

 4
GEOL/GEOG 3333

Faculty-Mentored Research in Earth and Environmental Science

 1/3
S2: Social Science Elective 3
GEOL Elective 3

Milestones:

  • Complete Ig/Met (Geol 3024) C or better
  • Target: 90 credit hours completed.
  • Complete GEOL/GEOG 3333

 

14 Fall Credit Hours + 15-to-17 Spring Credit Hours = 29-to-31 Credit Hours

Term 1: Fall
Course Name Credit Hours
GEOL 4034

Sedimentation and Stratigraphy

 4
GEOL 4024

Paleontology

 4
GEOL/GEOG 4333

Earth & Environmental Sciences Capstone

 2
Elective 3
Elective 3

Milestones:

  • Target: 105 credit hours completed (104/105)
  • Complete GEOL/GEOG 4333

Term 2: Spring
Course Name Credit Hours
GEOL 4604

Economic Geology

 4
Elective 4
Elective 4
Elective 3

Milestones:

  • Complete GEOL 4064
  • Target: 120 credit hours completed

 

16 Fall Credit Hours + 15 Spring Credit Hours = 31 Credit Hours

Additional Information:

GEOLOGY COURSES OFFERED ONLY ALTERNATE YEARS:

  • Fall, odd-numbered years: GEOL 3603, Environmental Geology, GEOL 4003 Geomorphology, GEOL 4044, Engineering Geology (possible in even fall)
  • Spring, even-numbered years: GEOL 4083, Environmental Geochemistry.
  • Spring, odd-numbered years: GEOL 4014, Geochemistry.
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Crush Your Course

First Year:

  • Take the Intro Geology sequence GEOL 1121+L, and GEOL 1122+L your first and second semesters.
  • Enroll in CHEM 1211.
  • Get confident with Wolf Watch and your Program Map.

Middle Years:

  • Choose a track: Professional or Environmental.
  • Explore courses in the core and follow the Geology Program Map for the geology track you choose.
  • Love something outside of geology? Earn a minor or a certificate!

Last Year:

  • Take upper-level electives to prepare you for your career/graduate programs.
  • Study for the licensure exam (Professional Track students).
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Find Your Place

First Year:

  • Attend a Geoscience Club meeting or event such as River Cleanup, or a professional talk.
  • Find other student organizations that match your interests. 

Middle Years:

  • Ask your professors about their research and seek out your own opportunities to do research.
  • Start researching career paths.
  • Become a TA for Physical Geology or Historical Geology.

Last Year:

  • Be a leader in the Program by being a Club officer.
  • Serve as a TA again or seek other employment/volunteering opportunities on campus.
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Broaden Your Perspectives

First Year:

  • Explore a new-to-you culture or language through your core courses.
  • Make an effort to be inclusive of others as you meet new faces on campus.

Middle Years:

  • Travel! Explore Travel Abroad opportunities or enroll in Regional Applications of Field Geology (offered summers) to see more of the US.

Last Year:

  • Read books or listen to podcasts to expand your thinking about how geosciences affect people and society.
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Connect Off-Campus

First Year:

  • Meet our Alumni at the Geosciences Career Night (Spring).
  • Go to events in the Carrollton Community.

Middle Years:

  • Participate in an internship.
  • Volunteer with a STEM school visit.

Last Year:

  • Become a member of a geology professional organization and get involved as soon as you can!
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Take Care of Yourself

First Year:

Middle Years:

  • Take a break from studying once in a while to enjoy events on campus.

Last Year:

  • Get organized with important dates! Graduation application, job application, grad school stuff, class projects, interviews...put all those dates in your phone so that you can stay on top of your busy schedule this final year.
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Pave Your Path

First Year:

  • Be proactive. Go to your professors’ office hours, even before you need help in the class. These conversations can lead to connections.

Middle Year:

  • Apply for scholarships and REU opportunities.
  • Attend a professional conference to network and connect with the scientific community.
  • Research graduate school programs if you’re considering that pathway.

Last Year:

  • Request letters of recommendation from professors (at least 2 weeks before you need them).
  • Apply to graduate programs in the fall or early winter or apply to jobs in the spring.

Careers

Person's boots hanging over rock wall

Career Opportunities

This degree may help you get work as the following:

  • Archaeologist
  • Environmental Field Technician
  • Environmental Protection Specialist
  • Environmental Scientist
  • Forester
  • Geologist
  • GIS Analyst
  • Hydrographic Surveyor
  • Quarry Manager
  • Sustainability Engineer

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Don't forget to check out Wolf Watch to explore degree requirements!