B.S. in Geology, 2021-2022 Catalog
This degree worksheet is intended to help you develop a balanced course schedule while completing your degree within 4 years. The same sequence of courses (with fewer courses each semester) is also recommended for students completing their degree in 5 or 6 years. This worksheet is not intended to replace academic advising with your assigned advisor. Students should consult with their assigned advisor to determine the appropriate sequence of required courses and electives based on their academic goals.
Please note that your Major Specific Requirements (MSRs) are bolded in the document and are also listed as an "MSR" in the notes column. These courses must be completed in order to declare your major. All students must have a GPA of 2.5 or higher in the STEM MSR suite.
Pre-Geology first-time freshmen must complete CHEM 111A and MATH 122 or higher, and GEOL 102 and GEOL 104 within one year of matriculation. Some students may need to take courses during Summer Session to meet these requirements. Students who have not met the requirements by the required semester must either declare another major or meet with an Academic Advisor to determine if the student's performance in the courses merits an additional semester to complete.
CSULB Enrollment Services prepares the Academic Requirements Report, which is the official graduation verification.
Year 1 - Semester 1
| Course # | Course Title (Units) | Prerequisites | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEOL 102 | General Geology (3) | MSR | |
| GEOL 104 | General Geology Lab (1) | Corequisite: GEOL 102 | MSR |
| MATH 122 (area B4) |
Calculus I (4) | MATH 111 and either 112B or 113 | MSR |
| GE (area A2) | Written Communication (3) | MSR | |
| GE (area C,D,E,F) | Other Exploration (3) | ||
| NSCI 190A | Experience Success Program 1 (1) | Fall only |
Year 1 - Semester 2
| Course # | Course Title (Units) | Prerequisites | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHEM 111A | General Chemistry (5) | Appropriate Placement, Corequisite: MATH 112A or 112B or higher, CHEM 95 if needed | MSR |
| MATH 123 (area B4) |
Calculus II (4) | MATH 122 | MSR |
| GE (area A1) | Oral Communication (3) | MSR | |
| GE (area A3) | Critical Thinking (3) | MSR |
Year 2 - Semester 3
| Course # | Course Title (Units) | Prerequisites | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEOL 240 | Historical Geology (4) | GEOL 102 and 104 | Fall only |
| PHYS 151 | Mechanics and Heat (4) | MATH 122, 123, or 224 | |
| CHEM 111B | General Chemistry (5) | CHEM 111A or 112A, MATH 112B or higher | |
| GE (area C,D,E,F) | Other Exploration (3) |
Year 2 - Semester 4
| Course # | Course Title (Units) | Prerequisites | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEOL 250 | Introduction to Field Petrology and Geological Field Techniques (3) | GEOL 102 and 104, or GEOL 110 and 104 | Spring only |
| PHYS 152 | Electricity and Magnetism (3) | PHYS 151, Pre/Corequisite: MATH 123 | |
| GE (area C,D,E,F) | Other Exploration (3) | ||
| GE (area C,D,E,F) | Other Exploration (3) | ||
| GEOL 300 | Earth Systems (3) | CHEM 111A or GEOL 102 | GE AREA UD B |
Year 3 - Semester 5
| Course # | Course Title (Units) | Prerequisites | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Major Elective | Geology Elective** | See List | |
| GEOL 322 | Crystallography and Mineralogy (3) | GEOL 250 and CHEM 111A, Corequisite: GEOL 326 | Fall only |
| GEOL 326 | Optical Mineralogy (3) | GEOL 102; CHEM 111A, Pre/Corequisite: GEOL 322 | Fall only |
| GE (area C,D,E,F) | Other Exploration (3) | GE (area C, D, and E) | |
| GE (area C,D,E,F) | Other Exploration (3) | GE (area C, D, and E) |
Year 3 - Semester 6
| Course # | Course Title (Units) | Prerequisites | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEOL 433 | Structural Geology (4) | GEOL 250 and 322, PHYS 151 or 100A | Spring only |
| GEOL 428 | Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology and Petrography (3) | Spring only | |
| GEOL 426 | Igneous Metamorphic Petrography Lab (1) | GEOL 322 and 326, Pre/Corequisite: GEOL 428 | Spring only |
| Major Elective | Geology Elective** | See List | |
| GE (area C,D,E,F) | Other Exploration (3) | GE (area C, D, and E) |
Year 4 - Semester 7
| Course # | Course Title (Units) | Prerequisites | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEOL 443 | Stratigraphy/Sedimentology (4) | GEOL 240 and 322 | Fall only |
| GEOL UD Course | Geology Quantitative Course (3)* | See List | |
| Major Elective | Geology Elective** | See List | |
| GE Upper Division (area C-UD, D-UD) | Upper Division (3) | GE Foundation | GWAR/WI |
Year 4 - Semester 8
| Course # | Course Title (Units) | Prerequisites | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEOL 420 | Geological Writing (3) | GEOL 102, 104, 240 and 250, GE Foundation | Spring only |
| GEOL 350 | Spring Field Geology (2) | GEOL 250, Pre/Corequisite: GEOL 443 | Spring only |
| GEOL UD Course | Geology Quantitative Course (3)* | See List | |
| Major Elective | Geology Elective (3)** | See List | |
| Major Elective | Geology Elective (2)** | See List | |
| GEOL 450 | Summer Field Geology (4) | GEOL 350, 428, 433, and 443, GE Foundation | Summer only |
Notes
*GEOL quantitative courses (choose 2 of 3 courses):
- GEOL 461 (3)
- GEOL 474 (3)
- GEOL 460 (3)
**GEOL Upper Division Elective (Choose 16 units)
- GEOL 326 (2)
- GEOL 339 (3)
- GEOL 426 (3)
- GEOL 341 (3)
- GEOL 444 (3)
- GEOL 445 (3)
- GEOL 465 (3)
- GEOL 477 (3)
- GEOL Graduate Course
- You can choose one elective from the following GIS classes:
- GEOL 481 (4)
- GEOL 473 (4)
