Geological Sciences Major, B.S.–Earth Science Concentration
The study of earth’s dynamic systems is a field that has seen major advances over the last few decades. Geologists investigate diverse systems that play a large role in controlling the environment at the earth’s surface.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the geological sciences program (B.S.), students should be able to:
- Demonstrate broad knowledge of core geological concepts
- Produce written synthesis of professional journal articles dealing with topics covered in advanced courses
- Make a clear and effective oral presentation
- Apply knowledge and skills from coursework in a significant field experience in an area of geological sciences
- Gain admission to graduate study or obtain employment in a field that uses geological training
Requirements
In addition to the program requirements, students must
- earn a minimum final cumulative GPA of 2.000
- complete a minimum of 45 academic credit hours earned from UNC–Chapel Hill courses
- take at least half of their major core requirements (courses and credit hours) at UNC–Chapel Hill
- earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.000 in the major core requirements. Some programs may require higher standards for major or specific courses.
For more information, please consult the degree requirements section of the catalog.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| GEOL 200 |  The Solid Earth | 3 |
| GEOL 201 | Earth's Surface: Processes, Landforms, and History | 3 |
| 13 credit hours from the following options: | 13 | |
| Earth Systems History | ||
| Earth Materials: Minerals | ||
| Structural Geology | ||
| Sedimentology and Stratigraphy | ||
| Petrology and Plate Tectonics | ||
| Geochemistry | ||
| Introduction to Geophysics | ||
| Surface Processes and Landscape Evolution | ||
| Four geology courses numbered above 300 and not otherwise required for the major | 12 | |
| Capstone requirement (one of the following combinations): | 6 | |
| Summer Field Course in Geology and Summer Field Course in Geology | ||
| Honors and Honors | ||
| Undergraduate Research in Geology (6 credits total) | ||
Science-oriented Experiential Education (EE) courses. (6 credits total) 1 | ||
| Additional Requirements | ||
| CHEM 101 & 101L | General Descriptive Chemistry I and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory I F | 4 |
| CHEM 102 & 102L | General Descriptive Chemistry II and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory II H, F | 4 |
| MATH 231 | Calculus of Functions of One Variable I H, F | 4 |
| MATH 232 | Calculus of Functions of One Variable II H, F | 4 |
| One of the following: | 3 | |
| Data Analysis in the Earth Sciences 2 | ||
Any MATH above MATH 232 | ||
Any STOR 155 or above | ||
| One of the following courses: | 4 | |
| General Physics I: For Students of the Life Sciences F | ||
| Introductory Calculus-based Mechanics and Relativity F | ||
| One of the following courses: | 4 | |
| Principles of Biology and Introductory Biology Laboratory H, F | ||
Any CHEM above CHEM 102 | ||
| General Physics II: For Students of the Life Sciences F | ||
| Introductory Calculus-based Electromagnetism and Quanta F | ||
| At least five science electives not otherwise required for the major (see chart below) | 15 | |
| Remaining General Education requirements and enough free electives to accumulate 122 academic hours | 43 | |
| Total Hours | 122 | |
| H | Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply. |
| F | FY-Launch class sections may be available. A FY-Launch section fulfills the same requirements as a standard section of that course, but also fulfills the FY-SEMINAR/FY-LAUNCH First-Year Foundations requirement. Students can search for FY-Launch sections in ConnectCarolina using the FY-LAUNCH attribute. |
- 1
Must be pre-approved by the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
- 2
This course may also be used to satisfy one of the required GEOL courses numbered above 300
Science Electives Not Otherwise Required for the Major
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH 143 | Human Evolution and Adaptation | 3 |
| ANTH 220 | Principles of Archaeology | 3 |
| ANTH 315 | Human Genetics and Evolution | 3 |
| ANTH 412 | Paleoanthropology | 3 |
| ANTH 414 | Laboratory Methods: Human Osteology | 3 |
| ANTH 451 | Field School in North American Archaeology H | 6 |
| ASTR --- | any Astronomy course except a first-year seminar | |
| BIOC --- | any Biochemistry course except a first-year seminar, BIOC 107 and BIOC 108 | |
| BIOL --- | any Biology course above BIOL 113 | |
| CHEM --- | any Chemistry course above CHEM 102 | |
| COMP --- | any Computer Science course 110 or above, except COMP 380 | |
| ENEC --- | any Environment and Ecology course above 201 | |
| GEOG 370 | Introduction to Geographic Information | 3 |
| GEOG 410 | Modeling of Environmental Systems | 3 |
| GEOG 412 | Synoptic Meteorology | 3 |
| GEOG 414 | Climate Change | 3 |
| GEOG 416 | Applied Climatology: The Impacts of Climate and Weather on Environmental and Social Systems | 3 |
| GEOG 477 | Introduction to Remote Sensing of the Environment | 3 |
| GEOG 491 | Introduction to GIS | 3 |
| GEOG 577 | Advanced Remote Sensing | 3 |
| GEOG 591 | Applied Issues in Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| GEOG 592 | Geographic Information Science Programming | 3 |
| GEOG 594 | Global Positioning Systems and Applications | 3 |
| GEOG 597 | Ecological Modeling | 3 |
| GEOL --- | any Geological Sciences course | |
| MASC --- | any Marine Sciences course 101 and above | |
| MATH --- | any Mathematics course above MATH 232 | |
| PHYS --- | any Physics course except a first-year seminar, PHYS 101, PHYS 132, and PHYS 313 | |
| STOR --- | any Statistics and Operations Research course 155 and above |
| H | Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply. |
Course descriptions for:
Special Opportunities in Geological Sciences
Honors in Geological Sciences
The honors program is open to undergraduates with an overall grade point average of 3.3 or better as of the beginning of the fall semester of the senior year. To participate in this program, the student chooses a research topic in consultation with his or her chosen faculty sponsor and conducts the research during the last two semesters in residence. The research project should represent the equivalent time expenditure of six hours of course credit and is taken as GEOL 691H (fall semester) and GEOL 692H (spring semester).
Upon recommendation of the faculty, students may be awarded the degree with honors or highest honors. Highest honors is reserved for students who have distinguished themselves in both coursework and independent research. In order to obtain this distinction the student must maintain a grade point average of 3.60 or higher and complete a research project that is worthy of peer-reviewed publication.
Departmental Involvement
The department encourages the active participation of undergraduates in department research, teaching, and social life. In addition to opportunities for experiential education and teaching internships described below, the department has an active Geology Honor Fraternity and Geology Club and regularly sponsors field excursions, career information sessions, and social events. Dates, times, and locations for all events are posted on the website and in the main lobby on the first floor of Mitchell Hall.
Experiential Education
Many geology courses emphasize experiential learning through field and laboratory work. Most degree tracks include a field geology course (GEOL 485 and GEOL 486 or a similar course in another department) that fulfills the experiential education General Education requirement (in the Making Connections curriculum). Additionally, all students are encouraged to contact faculty members about conducting independent research, either as an honors thesis or a senior thesis project.
UNC–BEST
The UNC Baccalaureate Education in Science and Teaching (UNC–BEST) Program is a collaboration between the School of Education and the College of Arts and Sciences and is designed to allow undergraduate science majors interested in teaching high school science the opportunity to earn their science degree and obtain licensure as a North Carolina high school science teacher in four years.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core education courses | ||
| EDUC 689 | Foundations of Special Education | 3 |
| EDUC 532 | Human Development and Learning | 3 |
| or EDUC 501 | Adolescent and Adulthood Development: A Cross-Cultural | |
| EDUC 615 | Schools and Community Collaboration | 3 |
| EDUC 593 | Internship/Student Teaching | 12 |
| EDUC 601 | Education Workshops | 1 |
| Teaching methods course | ||
| GEOL 412 | Principles and Methods of Teaching Earth Science | 4 |
| Total Hours | 26 | |
For more details on admission requirements, application deadlines, and submitting an online application, visit the School of Education website.
Study Abroad
Although the department has no formalized study abroad program, many students participate in a study abroad program, and some receive credit for geology coursework completed abroad. Students interested in a study abroad program should contact the director of undergraduate studies. Students must receive approval from the director of undergraduate studies prior to taking courses abroad for geology credit.
Undergraduate Awards
The Op White Prize in Geology, established in 1966, consists of a cash prize and an engraved bronze plaque displayed in the geology office. The award is given annually to the outstanding senior in geology.
Field Camp Scholarships
Several scholarships for geology field camp are awarded each year from the Grover Murray and Anadarko funds.
Undergraduate Research
The department encourages qualified undergraduate students to conduct independent research on an interesting geologic topic under the direction of a geological sciences faculty member. This research can be conducted as a one- to four-credit hour project (GEOL 395) or in conjunction with the geology honors program.
Department Programs
Majors
- Geological Sciences Major, B.A.–Earth Science
- Geological Sciences Major, B.S.–Earth Science
- Geological Sciences Major, B.S.–Environmental Geoscience
Minors
Graduate Programs
Department of Earth, Marine, and Environmental Sciences
Murray and Mitchell Halls
