BA in Geological Sciences
Degree Program Description
The Bachelor of Arts in Geological Sciences is a liberal arts degree for students interested in earth science. The curriculum provides an overview of several sub disciplines within Geology, including paleontology and hydro geology. The degree is designed for students interested in careers in science journalism, environmental law, and urban design and planning. The degree can easily be combined with other BA degrees in the College of Arts and Science.
Major Program Requirements
The B.A. Curriculum is designed as a degree through which the student wishes to eventually pursue a career in teaching, journalism, law, etc. In addition to University, general education, and College of Arts and Science requirements, students must also meet the following major program requirements. All major requirements in the College of Arts and Science must be completed with grades of C- or higher unless otherwise indicated.
| Geology Core Requirements | 24-29 | |
| GEOL 1100 | Introduction to the Earth with Laboratory | 4 |
| or GEOL 1200 | Environmental Geology with Laboratory | |
| or GEOL 1050 | Planet Earth | |
| GEOL 2150 | The Age of the Dinosaurs | 3 |
| or GEOL 2350 | Earth and Life Through Time | |
| GEOL 2400 | Surficial Earth Processes and Products with Laboratory | 4 |
| GEOL 3250 | Mineralogy | 5 |
| Geology course at 2000 level or above (3hr min) | 3 | |
| Geology course at 3000 level or above (3hr min) | 3 | |
| Geology course at 4000 level or above (3hr min) | 3 | |
| Collateral Math/Science Requirements | 15-21 | |
| MATH 1140 | Trigonometry | 2-5 |
| or MATH 1160 | Precalculus Mathematics | |
| INFOTC 1040 | Introduction to Problem Solving and Programming | 3 |
| or MATH 1400 | Calculus for Social and Life Sciences I | |
| or STAT 1200 | Introductory Statistical Reasoning | |
| CHEM 1400 & CHEM 1401 | College Chemistry I and College Chemistry I Laboratory | 4 |
| ASTRON 1010 | Introduction to Astronomy | 4 |
| or ATM_SC 1050 | Introductory Meteorology | |
| or PHYSCS 1050 | Concepts in Cosmology | |
| or PHYSCS 1210 | College Physics I | |
| BIO_SC 1010 | General Principles and Concepts of Biology | 3 |
| or BIO_SC 1060 | Basic Environmental Studies | |
| or BIO_SC 1500 | Introduction to Biological Systems with Laboratory | |
| or NAT_R 1070 | Ecology and Conservation of Natural Resources | |
Semester Plan
Below is a sample plan of study, semester by semester. A student's actual plan may vary based on course choices where options are available.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| GEOL 1100, 1200, or 1050 | 4 | GEOL 2350 | 3 |
| MATH 1100 | 3 | MATH 1160 or 1140 | 5-2 |
| ENGLSH 1000 | 3 | Second Language | 5 |
| Second Language | 5 | CHEM 1400 | 3 |
| CHEM 1401 | 1 | ||
| 15 | 17-14 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| GEOL 2400 | 4 | Geol 2000+ level course | 3 |
| MATH 1400, INFOTC 1040, or STAT 1200 | 3 | Humanities or Fine Arts | 3 |
| BIO_SC 1010 | 3 | Social Science | 3 |
| Second Language | 3 | Behavioral Science | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | American History or Government | 3 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| GEOL 3250 | 5 | GEOL 3800 | 4 |
| Humanities or Fine Arts | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| Behavioral Sciences | 3 | Humanities or Fine Arts | 3 |
| Social Sciences | 3 | 2000 Level Behavioral Sciences | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | ||
| 14 | 16 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Geol 4000-level course | General Elective | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| 2000 Level Humanities or Fine Arts | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| 2000 Level Social Sciences | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| General Elective | 6 | General Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits: 123-120 | |||
Degree Audit
The degree audit is an automated report reflecting a student’s academic progress toward the completion of a degree.
MU students can request a degree audit by logging in to myDegreePlanner. Students may also access myDegreePlanner via myZou, in the Student Center, click on the Academic Progress Tile, then select Request Degree Audit. The audit automatically pulls in the student’s MU course work, transfer courses and courses in progress. This is available to current students, admitted students, and those who last attended less than three terms ago.
Past MU students can request a degree audit by contacting the Academic Advising Unit of the division in which they were last enrolled at MU. For contact information, go to https://advising.missouri.edu/contact/.
Prospective students, can access a preliminary MU degree audit via https://www.transferology.com. Information on the college credits already earned will have to be manually entered before it can be evaluated against current degree requirements.
For additional details on degree audits, go to https://registrar.missouri.edu/degrees-audits/degree-audits/.
Major and Career Exploration
The University of Missouri has many resources to assist you in exploring majors and career possibilities. For guidance, visit the Majors and Careers website or view specific resources below.
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If you are considering a change of major or are exploring multiple majors, schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Discovery Center by calling (573)884-9700 or through MU Connect Discovery Center service in you success network.
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If you have decided on a major, visit an academic advisor in the School or College that you are interested in to discuss the process of declaring the major.
- If you would like to learn more about your career interests, abilities, values and talents, visit the MU Career Center. No Appointment is necessary to explore career options with one of our staff members.
- If you would like information about MU majors and degree programs, visit:
- the Degrees, Majors (Degree Programs), Emphasis Areas, Minors and Certificates page in the catalog,
- the MU Majors website.
For additional major and career exploration resources, visit Major & Career Exploration in the catalog.