Geology (GEOL)

Geology focuses on the formation and subsequent evolution of the planets, emphasizing habitable planet Earth. Geologists study the Earth’s internal and surface structure and compositions, major geological events, formation of Earth’s minerals and rocks and natural resources, using the principles of chemistry, physics, mathematics, and biology. Geology provides understanding of the dynamic processes that influences the solid Earth, Earth’s surface, life, and climate. Geology frequently draws students with interests in outdoor activities, travel, energy industry, and environment. In addition to regular lectures, geology majors train in fieldwork skills and specialized laboratory skills. Recent alumni have had in-demand and profitable careers in academia, mineral resources, energy industry, environmental industry, and government.

Freshman
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours
ENGL 1100 English Composition I	3	ENGL 1120 English Composition II	3
GEOL 1100 Dynamic Earth	4	GEOL 1110 Earth and Life Through Time	4
Core Science¹	4	Core Science¹	4
Core History I	3	Core History II	3
	14		14
Sophomore
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours
GEOL 3550 Field Geology: Methods and Application	3	Core Science¹	4
GEOL 2010 Mineralogy and Optical Crystallography	5	GEOL 2050 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology	4
MATH 1610 Calculus I	4	Free Elective	3
GEOL 2000 Professional Development	1	Math Requisite²	3-4
Core Social Science	3
	16		14-15
Junior
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours	Summer	Hours
Core Science¹	4	Technical Elective	3	GEOL 3650 Advanced Field Geology	3
GEOL 3200 Introduction to Paleobiology	3	GEOL 3400 Structural Geology	4
GEOL Elective⁴	6	Core Social Science³	3
Free Elective	3	GEOL Elective⁴	3
		Core Fine Arts³	3
	16		16		3
Senior
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours
GEOL 4200 Sedimentary Petrology and Stratigraphy	4	GEOL Elective⁴	8
GEOL Elective⁴	3	Core Humanities	3
GEOG 5830 Geographic Information Systems	4	Core Literature II	3
GEOL 4740 Senior Seminar	2	UNIV 4AA0 Achieve the Creed	0
Core Literature I	3
	16		14
Total Hours: 123-124

Courses in BOLD will be used to calculate GPA in major.

Options for courses labeled CORE are in the Auburn University Bulletin under Core Curriculum.

¹

Take CHEM 1030/CHEM 1031, BIOL 1020/BIOL 1021, PHYS 1500, and 4th course can be either CHEM 1040/CHEM 1041, BIOL 1030/BIOL 1031, or PHYS 1510.

²

Math Requisite can be either MATH 1620 Calculus II (4), STAT 2510 (3), or STAT 3010 (3).

³

GEOG 1010 Global Geography is suggested for majors (as one of their Core Social Science requirements).

⁴

Geology Electives: 18 hours required. Geology electives may be selected from the following courses with NO MORE THAN 3 hours coming from the unspecified group (GEOL 4930 and GEOL 4980).

GEOL Electives:

GEOL 3060 Lunar and Planetary Geology (3)

GEOL 4210 Economic Geology (3)

GEOL 4260 Introduction to Geochemistry (3)

GEOL 5060 Introduction to Micropaleontology (3)

GEOL 5100 Hydrogeology (3)

GEOL 5220 Geomorphology (3) (also cross-listed as GEOG 5220 Geomorphology)

GEOL 5300 Basin Analysis (3)

GEOL 5440 Electron Microprobe Analysis (3)

GEOL 5500 Petroleum Geology (3)

GEOL 5600 Applied Geophysics (4)

GEOL 5700 Geohealth (3)

GEOL 5840 Climate Change and Society (3)

No more than 3 hours total can count towards your 18 hours of GEOL electives from the following:

GEOL 4930 Directed Studies in Undergraduate Research (1-3) (no more than 3 hours)

GEOL 4980 Undergraduate Research Methods (1-3) (no more than 3 hours)

Technical Electives: The following courses are approved. Other courses may be permitted with prior approval of the GEOL advisor. Students must meet with their Geology advisor and have technical electives approved in advance. An approval form must be on file in the Dean's office in order to be cleared for graduation.

CSES 5000, CSES 5080, CSES 5150 ,CSES 5300

ANTH any 2000+ course

BIOL 1030/BIOL 1031, BIOL 2425, BIOL 3030, BIOL 3060, BIOL 3075, BIOL 3200, BIOL 4010, BIOL 4020