General Information

Geology is the science of the Earth. In its broadest sense, geology concerns itself with planetary formation and subsequent modification, with emphasis on the study of planet Earth. Geologists study Earth's internal and surficial structure and materials, the chemical and physical processes acting within and on the Earth, and utilize the principles of mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology to understand our planet and its environments.

Geological Studies encompass all the physical, chemical and biological aspects of Earth. Increasingly, geologists are taking a holistic approach in the collection and interpretation of data about the Earth, which means that the wider context of the geological sciences is broad and diverse. In studying the Earth as a system, we are concerned with geology and geophysics, hydrology, oceanography and marine science, meteorology and atmospheric science, planetary science, and soil science. A major in any relevant discipline can lead to a satisfying career within the geological sciences. In general, graduate training is expected for advancement to the most rewarding positions and for academic employment.

Geologists are employed by governmental, industrial and academic organizations. Geologists work in exploration for new mineral and hydrocarbon resources, as consultants on engineering and environmental projects, as teachers and researchers in universities, and in many other challenging positions. For many, the attraction of a career in geology is the ability to divide time between work in the field, the laboratory and the office. Although the employment outlook within geology varies with the global economic climate, the long-range outlook is good. This is because our dwindling energy, mineral and water resources, along with increasing concerns about natural hazards and environmental issues, present new challenges for geologists.

The Geology Program at UM includes a broad range of undergraduate courses to accommodate both Geology majors and students within the Environmental Science and Policy Program. Within the Geology major, a requirement exists for a senior undergraduate research project to be performed under the direction of a faculty advisor. This requirement provides invaluable experience in writing proposals and reports, gathering, analyzing and evaluating data, and delivering scientific talks. In addition, a Departmental Honors Program and a combined B.S./M.S. Program are available.

At the Graduate Level, the Department offers programs leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. The mission of the Graduate Program is to train students to conduct independent and original research. This is most often achieved by collaboration between students and faculty in ongoing research programs. Research in the Department is focused upon both Earth's interior and surface processes. These areas are not mutually exclusive, and students are encouraged to develop a program that suits their interests.

Our particular strengths are as follows:

• Mineralogy, petrology and geochemistry, in particular of granites and associated mineralization;

• hydrological processes and integration of geomorphology, hydrology and ecology to understand surface environments; and

• isotope geochemistry, in support of the above strengths and in mantle geochemistry, meteoritics, tectonics, carbonate diagenesis, sedimentary cycling, geochronology, stratigraphy and paleoclimate studies.

B.S. Degree in Geology

The Geology Curriculum is designed to meet the requirements of industry, graduate school and government. For the B.S. degree, the students are required to complete the Departmental requirements (49 credits) and the Supporting Requirements (23/24 credits) in addition to the CORE Program requirements.

The Department also requires that to receive a degree in geology, students must have a C or better grade in the required geology courses, and C average or better in the supporting courses.

CORE Program: 46 credits

Departmental Requirements: 49 credits

Supporting Requirements: 23/24 credits

GEOLOGY COURSES:

One of the following: 4 credits

• GEOL 100/110 - Physical Geology and Laboratory
• GEOL 120/110 - Environmental Geology and Lab

REQUIRED COURSES:

• GEOL 102 - Historical Geology (4)
• GEOL 322 - Mineralogy (4)
• GEOL 340 - Geomorphology (4)
• GEOL 341 - Structural Geology (4)
• GEOL 342 - Stratigraphy and Sedimentation (4)
• GEOL 393 - Technical Writing for Geoscientists (3)
• GEOL 394 - Research Problems in Geology (3)
• GEOL 445 - Principles of Geochemistry (3)
• GEOL 451 - Groundwater (3)
• GEOL 423 - Optical Mineralogy (3)
• GEOL 443 - Petrology (4)
• GEOL 490 - Field Camp (6)

            Geology core: 49 credit hours

SUPPORTING REQUIREMENTS

Required Courses:

• CHEM 103 - General Chemistry I (4)
• CHEM 113 - General Chemistry II (4)
• MATH 140 - Calculus I (4)
• MATH 141 - Calculus II (4)
• PHYS 141 - Principles of Physics (4)

One of the following: 3-4 credits

• PHYS 142 - Principles of Physics (4)
• BIOM 301 - Introduction to Biometrics (3)

Any upper-level Geology course

            Supporting requirements: 23-24 credit hours

OTHER REGULAR GEOLOGY COURSE OFFERINGS

• GEOL 104 - Dinosaurs: A Natural History (3)
• GEOL 123 - Causes and Implications of Global Change (3)
• GEOL 210 - Gems and Gemstones (3)
• GEOL 212 - Planetary Geology (3)
• GEOL 214 - Global Energy Systems and Resources (3)
• GEOL 288 - Field Studies I (1)
• GEOL 331 - Invertebrate Paleontology (4)
• GEOL 388 - Field Studies II (3)
• GEOL 436 - Principles of Biogeochemistry (3)
• GEOL 437 - Global Climate Change: Past and Present (3)
• GEOL 443 - Petrology (4)
• GEOL 452 - Watershed and Wetland Hydrology (3)
• GEOL 471 - Geochemical Methods of Analysis (3)
• GEOL 472 - Tectonics (3)
• GEOL 489 - Special Topics (3-6)
• GEOL 499 - Special Problems in Geology (1-3)

SUGGESTED CURRICULUM

FRESHMAN YEAR (28)
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
GEOL 100 + GEOL 110*	(4) Core DS-1	GEOL 102	(4)
CHEM 103	(4) Core DS-2	CHEM 113	(4) Core DS-3
CORE XXX	(3) FS-1 - ENG 101	CORE XXX	(3) DS-4
CORE XXX	(3) FS-2 - MATH 115	CORE XXX	(3) DS-5

SOPHOMORE YEAR (29)
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
GEOL 322	(4)	GEOL 340	(4)
MATH 140	(4)	GEOL 342	(4)
CORE XXX	(3) DS-6	MATH 141	(4)
CORE XXX	(3) DS-7	CORE XXX	(3) DS-8

JUNIOR YEAR (27)
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
GEOL 423	(3)	GEOL 443	(4)
GEOL 445	(3)	GEOL 451	(3)
GEOL 341	(4)	PHYS 141	(4)
ENG 393	(3) CORE FS-3	CORE XXX	(3) DS-9

SUMMER: GEOL 490 (6)

SENIOR YEAR (30)
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
GEOL 393	(3)	GEOL 394	(3) AS-2 Capstone
CORE XXX	(3) AS-1	CORE XXX	(3) HCD-1
ELECTIVE XXX	(3)	ELECTIVE XXX	(3)
ELECTIVE XXX	(3)	ELECTIVE XXX	(3)
ELECTIVE XXX	(1)	ELECTIVE XXX	(3)

NOTE: CORE - (46 credits)

1. Fundamental Studies (FS) 3 courses minimum (9 credits). May exempt CORE FS-1 and 2, MATH 110 or 115, ENG 101. If so, CORE schedule moves up and these 3 or 6 credits are replaced by electives. FS-3 Jr. ENG (393) done Fall or Spring junior year.
2. Distributive Studies (DS) 9 courses (28 credit minimum).
1. Physical Science - 3 courses in MATH, CHEM, PHYS or GEOL are covered by major requirements (10 credits)
2. Humanities and Arts - need 3 courses (9 credits)
3. Social Sciences - need 3 courses (9 credits)
3. Advanced Studies - (AS) - need 2 courses (6 credits). One of these is GEOL 394 which has been approved as a capstone course.
4. Human Cultural Diversity (HCD) - 1 course (3 credits)

*OR GEOL 120 + GEOL 110

Honors in Geology

Admission to the Program will be by invitation of the Honors Committee, normally at the end of the sophomore year and normally will be extended to students with an overall GPA of 3.0 or better and a GPA of 3.0 or better in all courses required for the major.

Graduation with Honors normally requires completion of the curriculum, a GPA of 3.5 or better in GEOL 393H and GEOL 394H, and maintenance of a 3.0 overall GPA and a GPA of 3.0 or better in all courses required for the major. Maintenance of a GPA of 3.5 or above and a grade of A in both GEOL 393H and GEOL 394H will earn the distinction of Graduation with High Honor.

The Honors Program Curriculum

The curriculum for Honors in Geology follows the University Honors Program Track I: Thesis Option with a 15 credit minimum.

1. The requirement for upper division Honors courses will be met by a minimum of 9 hours as follows:
   1. GEOL 489H Recent Advances in Geology (3 credit hours), and
   2. 6 credit hours from the following:
      1. a 3 credit hour graduate-level course approved by the Departmental Honors Committee,
      2. Honors Option project in a three or four credit hour upper-level course from the offerings in the Geology Department. The Honors Option Proposal must be approved by the Departmental Honors Committee, the professor teaching the course and the University Honors Program. A proposal must be approved by the Department and submitted to the University Honors Program by the 10th day of class in the semester in which the course will be taken and the project completed.
2. The research and thesis requirement will be met by completion of GEOL 393H and GEOL 394H with a GPA of 3.5 or better (6 credit hours).

Combined B.S./M.S. in Geology

Normally, the minimum requirements for acceptance into this program are:

1. A GPA of at least 3.50.
2. No more than 15 credits of required Geology courses and 4 credits of supporting requirements in mathematics, chemistry, and physics remaining for the B.S. degree.
3. No more than 6 credits of CORE requirements remaining for the B.S. degree.
4. At least three letters of recommendation.
5. An essay or statement of purpose.
6. An interview with the Graduate Director

Requirements for the M.S. Degree

There are no changes from the current requirements. Students must complete 24 credits of course work approved by the Graduate Committee and 6 credits of thesis research and defend a research proposal and a thesis. Students in the Combined B.S./M.S. may bring forward up to 9 credits at the 600 level from their B.S. program.

Research interests and information about the resident faculty