Geology, Bachelor of Science

In addition to University Requirements:

• 70 - 73 units of major requirements including 16 - 32 units of concentration or emphasis requirements.

• Up to 9 units of major prefix courses may be used to satisfy Liberal Studies requirements; these same courses may also be used to satisfy major requirements.

• Elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 120 units.

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Minimum Units for Completion	120
Highest Mathematics Required	MAT 137
Additional Admission Requirements	Required
Fieldwork Experience/Internship	Required
Research	Optional
University Honors Program	Optional
Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan	Optional
AZ Transfer Students complete AGEC-S	Recommended
Progression Plan Link	View Progression Plan

Purpose Statement

The Geology program in SESES develops an interdisciplinary base of knowledge that students use to understand the physical and biological history of the Earth and the evidence for that history. A distinguishing characteristic of geology is that it includes deep time in its understanding of terrestrial and solar system processes.

The Geology program is based on a strong foundation of physics, chemistry, and mathematics that provides an underpinning for the students as they move through the program and start to develop an appreciation for the complexities of interconnected Earth systems and their physical and chemical processes. Students work in field and lab environments, using the scientific method to develop an understanding of Earth materials and to synthesize information from diverse sources and methods to interpret the geological history of the Earth and the processes that occur on and below its surface. This includes the analysis of topographic maps 40 and remote sensing images using GIS tools to study the three-dimensional geometry of rock units, as well as geochemical and geophysical data obtained in the field and laboratory.

Student Learning Outcomes

Core Geology Outcomes

• Describe and assess linkages between interconnected Earth systems and relate those linkages to human society.
• Analyze properties of Earth materials as recorders of geological processes.
• Collect and synthesize complex and often incomplete field data and other spatial information to interpret geologic history.
• Evaluate, critique, and synthesize scientific literature and communicate scientific information.
• Demonstrate proficiency in quantitative problem-solving in a geologic context.
• Understand the physical and biological history and evolution of the Earth and the evidence for that history.

Additional Admission Requirements

• Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

• You will be automatically admitted to Northern Arizona University's geology program if you:

  • Have completed the GLG 309 prerequisites of GLG 101, GLG 103L, (MAT 125 or MAT 136), CHM 151, and CHM 151L with grades of "C" or better
  • Have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5

• If you don’t meet these requirements, you must apply to the program by writing a letter of application, supported by current transcripts, before entering GLG 309. Send your application to the program coordinator of the Geology Program (see School of Earth and Sustainability for more information).

• You must be admitted to the program before you can enroll in any of the following courses:

  • GLG 309, GLG 324, GLG 350W, GLG 435, GLG 440C

Major Requirements

• This major requires 70 - 73 units distributed as follows:

  • Required Coursework: 49 - 52 units
  • Electives: 21 units

  
  Take the following 70 - 73 units:

• Required Coursework (49 - 52 units)

  • Select one from the following (3 - 4 units):
    • GLG 101, GLG 103L (Recommended)
    • GLG 112, GLG 112L with grades of "B" or better
    • ENV 115 (3 units)
  • CHM 151, CHM 151L (5 units)
  • EES 240 (3 units)
  • GLG 102, GLG 104L, GLG 309, GLG 324, GLG 435 (16 units)
  • GLG 350W which meets the junior-level writing requirement (3 units)
  • GLG 440C which meets the senior capstone requirement (5 units)
  • MAT 136 (4 units)
  • Select one from the following (3 - 4 units)
    • MAT 137* (4 units)
    • STA 270 (3 units)
    • STA 275 (3 units)
  • Select one from the following options (4 units):
    • PHY 111
    • PHY 161*
  • Select one from the following (3 - 4 units):
    • CHM 152 and CHM 152L (4 units)
    • PHY 112 (4 units)
    • PHY 262* (3 units)

  * MAT 137, PHY 161, and PHY 262 are recommended by some geoscience employers and graduate programs. Consult with your advisor.

• Electives (21 units)

  • Select additional coursework, including at least two upper-division GLG courses, from the following (21 units)
    • AST 190, AST 280, AST 390, AST 455, AST 460
    • BIO 181 and BIO 181L
    • BIO 182 and BIO 182L
    • ENV 110, ENV 115, ENV 171, ENV 360, ENV 371
    • FOR 213, FOR 251
    • GLG 107, GLG 202, GLG 208, GLG 225, GLG 304, GLG 315, GLG 360, GLG 450, GLG 451, GLG 460, GLG 470, GLG 475, GLG 490, GLG 565
    • GLG 259 and GLG 259L
    • GSP 150, GSP 239, GSP 365
    • MAT 238, MAT 239
    • PHY 263, PHY 264, PHY 301, PHY 321, PHY 331, PHY 332, PHY 441
    • STA 270
    • Additional coursework chosen in consultation with your advisor.

   

• • This program is available as an Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan wherein a student may start a master's degree while simultaneously completing their bachelor's degree.

• • Students enrolled at the Flagstaff campus for both undergraduate and graduate programs are eligible to complete the Bachelor of Science in Geology and start a Master of Science in Climate Science and Solutions at NAU.

• • Students must apply to the master's program by the graduate program's application deadline, meet all admissions requirements listed in the policy Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Programs, as well as the admissions requirements for the specified master's plan to be considered for admission. Admission to programs is competitive and qualified applicants may be denied because of limits on the number of students admitted each year.
    
    Be sure to speak with the Master's Program Director/Coordinator regarding your interest in the accelerated plan.

• • Students accepted into the Accelerated Program should complete the following requirements:

• • Major Requirements
     

    This major requires 70 - 73 units distributed as follows:

    • Required Coursework: 58 - 61 units
    • Electives: 12 units

    
    Take the following 70 - 73 units:

• • Required Coursework (58 - 61 units)

    • Select one from the following (3 - 4 units):
      • GLG 101, GLG 103L (Recommended)
      • GLG 112, GLG 112L with grades of "B" or better
      • ENV 115 (3 units)
    • CHM 151, CHM 151L (5 units)
    • EES 240 (3 units)
    • EES 595 (3 units)
    • ENV 675 - Fall Rotation 1: Adaptation (3 units)
    • ENV 675 - Spring Rotation: Energy (3 units)
    • GLG 102, GLG 104L, GLG 309, GLG 324, GLG 435 (16 units)
    • GLG 350W which meets the junior-level writing requirement (3 units)
    • GLG 440C which meets the senior capstone requirement (5 units)
    • MAT 136 (4 units)
    • Select one from the following (3 - 4 units)
      • MAT 137* (4 units)
      • STA 270 (3 units)
      • STA 275 (3 units)
    • Select one from the following options (4 units):
      • PHY 111
      • PHY 161*
    • Select one from the following (3 - 4 units):
      • CHM 152 and CHM 152L (4 units)
      • PHY 112 (4 units)
      • PHY 262* (3 units)

    * MAT 137, PHY 161, and PHY 262 are recommended by some geoscience employers and graduate programs. Consult with your advisor.

• • Electives (12 units)

    • Select additional coursework, including at least two upper-division GLG courses, from the following (12 units)
      • AST 190, AST 280, AST 390, AST 455, AST 460
      • BIO 181 and BIO 181L
      • BIO 182 and BIO 182L
      • ENV 110, ENV 115, ENV 171, ENV 360, ENV 371
      • FOR 213, FOR 251
      • GLG 107, GLG 202, GLG 208, GLG 225, GLG 304, GLG 315, GLG 360, GLG 450, GLG 451, GLG 460, GLG 470, GLG 475, GLG 490, GLG 565
      • GLG 259 and GLG 259L
      • GSP 150, GSP 239, GSP 365
      • MAT 238, MAT 239
      • PHY 263, PHY 264, PHY 301, PHY 321, PHY 331, PHY 332, PHY 441
      • STA 270
      • Additional coursework chosen in consultation with your advisor.

General Electives

• Additional coursework is required if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.

  You may take these remaining courses from any of the academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. You may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.
  
  We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you.

Additional Information

• Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.

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