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
GEOS 1100 Dynamic Earth or GEOL 1100 Dynamic Earth	4	GEOS 1110 Earth and Life Through Time or 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
GEOS 3550 Field Geology: Methods and App or GEOL 3550 Field Geology: Methods and App	3	Core Science¹	4
GEOS 2030 Min Optical Crystallography or GEOL 2010 Min Optical Crystallography	5	GEOS 2050 Igneous And Metamorphic Petrol or GEOL 2050 Igneous And Metamorphic Petrol	4
MATH 1610 Calculus I	4	Free Elective	3
GEOS 2000 Professional Development (or GEOL 2000)	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	GEOS 3650 Advanced Field Geology or GEOL 3650 Advanced Field Geology	3
GEOS 3200 Introduction to Paleobiology or GEOL 3200 Introduction to Paleobiology	3	GEOS 3400 Structural Geology or GEOL 3400 Structural Geology	4
GEOS Electives⁴	6	Core Social Science³	3
Free Elective	3	GEOS Elective⁴	3
		Core Fine Arts³	3
	16		16		3
Senior
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours
GEOS 4200 Sed Petrology and Stratigraphy or GEOL 4200 Sed Petrology and Stratigraphy	4	GEOS Electives ⁴	8
GEOS Elective⁴	3	Core Humanities	3
GEOS 5830 Geographic Information Systems or GEOG 5830 Geographic Information Systems	4	Core Literature II	3
GEOS 4950 Senior Seminar or 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

GEOS 1010 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 (GEOS 4930 and GEOS 4980).

GEOS Electives:

GEOS 3060 Lunar and Planetary Geology (3)

GEOS 4210 Economic Geology (3)

GEOS 4260 Geochemistry (3)

GEOS 5060 Micropaleontology (3)

GEOS 5100 Hydrogeology (3)

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

GEOS 5300 Basin Analysis (3)

GEOS 5440 Electron Microprobe Analysis (3)

GEOS 5500 Petroleum Geology (3)

GEOS 5600 Applied Geophysics (4)

GEOS 5700 Geohealth (3)

GEOS 5840 Climate Change and Society (3)

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

GEOS 4930 Directed Studies (1-3) (no more than 3 hours)

GEOS 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