Geological Sciences

Undergraduate Programs

Bachelor of Science in Earth Science (120-126 units)

The Earth Science program prepares students to understand the natural environment, earth resources, land and ocean use, pollution, geology of the sea floor, and other areas of critical importance to present and future world problems. Career-oriented interdisciplinary emphases are offered in Geohydrology/Environmental Geology, Engineering Geology, Exploration Geophysics, and Marine Geology/Oceanography. Earth Science majors must receive a grade of "C" or better in all courses required for the major. As outlined below, a minimum of 120 units is required for the various emphases in Earth Science.
GEOL 420 (Geological Writing) and GEOL 450 (Summer Field) both required courses for the major, are also capstone General Education courses, and GEOL 420 fulfills the GWAR requirement for a writing intensive course. Earth Science majors should take GEOL 420, and GEOL 450 if their emphasis includes it, and as many additional units as are necessary to fulfill their upper division GE and GWAR requirements.

Lower Division:

Take all of the following:

GEOL 102 General Geology (3)
Prerequisites/Corequisites: A course that fulfills the A.1 GE requirement and three years of high school mathematics including algebra, geometry, and intermediate algebra or the equivalent.
GEOL 104 Geology Laboratory (1)
Prerequisites/Corequisites: A course that fulfills the A.1 GE requirement and three years of high school mathematics including algebra, geometry, and intermediate algebra or the equivalent, and concurrent or prior enrollment in GEOL 102.
GEOL 240 Historical Geology (4)
Prerequisite: GEOL 106 or both GEOL 102, 104.
GEOL 250 Introduction to Field Petrology and Geological Field Techniques (3)
Prerequisites: GEOL 102 with 104 or 105; or GEOL 106; all with grades of "C" or better. Corequisite: GEOL 240.
CHEM 111A General Chemistry (5)
Prerequisites: A passing score on the Chemistry Placement Examination . (Credit in Chem 101 does not substitute for a passing score on the Chemistry Placement Examination) and a "C" or better in MATH 113 or 117 or 119A or 122. One year of high school chemistry is strongly recommended.
MATH 122 Calculus I (4)
Prerequisite: Appropriate MDPT placement or a grade of "C" or better in MATH 111 and 113, or a grade of "C" or better in MATH 117.
MATH 123 Calculus II (4)
Prerequisite: A grade of "C" or better in MATH 122.
MATH 224 Calculus III (4)
Prerequisite: A grade of "C" or better in MATH 123 or 222.
PHYS 151 Mechanics and Heat (4)
Prerequisite/Corequisite: MATH 122.
PHYS 152 Electricity and Magnetism (4)
Prerequisite: PHYS 151; Prerequisite/Corequisite: MATH 123.

Additional required courses for the various emphases are listed below.

Upper Division:

Take all of the following:

GEOL 322 Crystallography, Mineralogy and Optical Methods (5)
Prerequisites: GEOL 250; CHEM 101 or 111A.
GEOL 350 Spring Field Geology (2)
Prerequisites: GEOL 250 and 443 with grades of "C" or better. Prerequisite/Corequisite: GEOL 433.
GEOL 420 Geological Writing (3)
Prerequisites: GE Foundation completed, upper division standing, GEOL 102, 104, 240, 250; and at least 6 units of Geology courses at 300-level or above. Students must have scored 11 or higher on the GWAR Placement Examination or completed necessary portfolio course that is a prerequisite for a GWAR Writing Intensive Capstone.
GEOL 428 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology and Petrography (4)
Prerequisites: GEOL 322; CHEM 111A, B.
GEOL 433 Structural Geology (4)
Prerequisites: GEOL 250, 322; PHYS 151.
GEOL 443 Stratigraphy/Sedimentology (4)
Prerequisites: GEOL 240, 322.
GEOL 460 Introduction to Geophysics (3)
Prerequisites: PHYS 151, 152; MATH 123.

Additional required courses for the various emphases are listed below.

1. Geohydrology/Environmental Geology (122 units):

C E 205 Analytical Mechanics I (Statics) (3)
Prerequisite: PHYS 151. Prerequisite/Corequisite: MATH 123.
C E 335 Fluid Mechanics (3)
Prerequisites: MATH 224 and C E 205.
C E 336 Fluid Mechanics Laboratory (1)
Prerequisite: ENGL 100 or equivalent. Prerequisite or corequisite: C E 335.
CHEM 111B General Chemistry (5)
Prerequisite: CHEM 111A with a grade of "C" or better.
ES P 300 Environmental Law and Policy (3)
Prerequisites: GE Foundation requirements; ECON 100 and 101, or ECON 300; POSC 100; and upper division standing.
GEOL 450 Summer Field Geology (4) An integrative-learning GE capstone
Prerequisites: GEOL 350, 428, 433, and 443.
GEOL 461 Introduction to Geochemistry (3)
Prerequisites: CHEM 111A,B and MATH 123.
GEOL 477 Hydrogeology (4)
Prerequisites: GEOL 102, 104; CHEM 111B; PHYS 152; MATH 123.
MICR 200 General Microbiology for Health Professionals (4)
Prerequisites: CHEM 111A or 140 with a grade of "C" or better and GE Foundation requirements.

2. Engineering Geology (126 units):

C E 205 Analytical Mechanics I (Statics) (3)
Prerequisite: PHYS 151. Prerequisite/Corequisite: MATH 123.
C E 345 Geotechnical Engineering I (3)
Corequisites: MAE 373; GEOL 370. Prerequisite: Consent of Department Undergraduate Advisor.
C E 346 Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory (1)
Prerequisite: ENGL 100 or equivalent. Corequisite: CE 345.
C E 445 Geotechnical Engineering II (3)
Prerequisites: CE 345, 346.
CHEM 111B General Chemistry (5)
Prerequisite: CHEM 111A with a grade of "C" or better.
GEOL 450 Summer Field Geology (4) An integrative-learning GE capstone
Prerequisites: GEOL 350, 428, 433, and 443.
GEOL 477 Hydrogeology (4)
Prerequisites: GEOL 102, 104; CHEM 111B; PHYS 152; MATH 123.
MAE 373 Mechanics of Deformable Bodies (3)
Prerequisite: CE 205.

3. Exploration Geophysics (124 units):

GEOL 462 Physics & Chemistry of Earth's Interior (3)
Prerequisites: GEOL 240, 428; PHYS 152.
MATH 247 Introduction to Linear Algebra (3)
Prerequisite: MATH 123 or 222.
MATH 370A Applied Mathematics I (3)
Prerequisites: MATH 123. Not open to Freshmen.
PHYS 310 Analytic Mechanics I (3)
Prerequisite: PHYS 151. Corequisite: MATH 364A or 370A.
PHYS 340A Electricity and Magnetism I (3)
Prerequisites: PHYS 152, 310. Prerequisite/Corequisite: MATH 370A or 364A.

Take 8 units in consultation with undergraduate advisor

4. Marine Geology/Oceanography (120 units):

CHEM 111B General Chemistry (5)
Prerequisite: CHEM 111A with a grade of "C" or better.
GEOL 341 Paleontology and Biostratigraphy (4)
Prerequisites: GEOL 240 and BIOL 200.
GEOL 461 Introduction to Geochemistry (3)
Prerequisites: CHEM 111A,B and MATH 123.
GEOL 465 Physical and Chemical Oceanography (3)
Prerequisites: CHEM 111B; PHYS 100B, and upper division standing in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics or Engineering.
GEOL 466 Oceanography Lab and Ocean Studies (1)
Prerequisite/Corequisite: GEOL 465.
GEOL 496 Investigations in Geology and Other Earth Sciences (1-4)
Prerequisites: Senior standing in geology, earth science or related fields, completion of an upper division course in geology or earth science in the area of the topics chosen and approval of the topic chosen by the Geological Sciences faculty.