BS in Geological Sciences
Degree Program Description
A Bachelor of Science degree in Geological Sciences provides students with the quantitative and conceptual skills they need to succeed in graduate work and a career as a professional geologist in industry, government or academia. The curriculum provides flexibility for students who seek to focus on a specific subdiscipline in the geosciences. Students interested in geophysics, for example, should use their electives to expand their background in math and to develop a broad knowledge of geology and geophysics. Other subdisciplines include geochemistry, paleobiology and hydrogeology. The capstone class is an award-winning 6-week summer Field Camp based in Lander, Wyoming. Many students participate in research projects with faculty members, usually involving fieldwork, and leading to a senior thesis. Their results are typically presented at a national meeting and in an oral defense in the department. Study abroad classes are typically offered every two to three years - recently to China, Chile, and Spain. Some BS graduates pursue careers in environmental consulting. Many others go into the oil and gas industry, which typically requires an MS degree.
Major Program Requirements
Majoring in geological sciences and earning a Bachelor of Science degree prepares the student for graduate work and a career as a professional geologist in industry, research or academia. The curriculum provides flexibility for students who seek to focus on a specific subdiscipline in the geosciences. Students interested in geophysics, for example, should use their electives to expand their background in math and to develop a broad knowledge of geology and geophysics. 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.
| Major Core Requirements | 52-55 | |
| GEOL 1100 | Introduction to the Earth with Laboratory | 4 |
| or GEOL 1200 | Environmental Geology with Laboratory | |
| or GEOL 2130 | Physical Geology for Scientists and Engineers | |
| or GEOL 1050 & GEOL 2100 | Planet Earth and Independent Study in Geology | |
| GEOL 2350 | Earth and Life Through Time | 3 |
| GEOL 2360 | Earth and Life Through Time Laboratory | 1 |
| GEOL 2400 | Surficial Earth Processes and Products with Laboratory | 4 |
| GEOL 3250 | Mineralogy | 5 |
| GEOL 3800 | Sedimentology and Stratigraphy with Lab | 4 |
| GEOL 4150 | Structural Geology | 4 |
| GEOL 4650 | Plate Tectonics | 3 |
| GEOL 4900 | Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology with Laboratory | 4 |
| GEOL 4992 | Geology Field Camp | 6 |
| One additional geological sciences course at or above 2000 level (except GEOL 2130) | 3 | |
| Four additional geological sciences courses at or above 3000 level (except GEOL 3085, can include 3 hr of GEOL 4950) | 12 | |
| Collateral Math and Science Coursework | 24-28 | |
| Chemistry Sequence | ||
| CHEM 1400 & CHEM 1401 | College Chemistry I and College Chemistry I Laboratory | 4 |
| CHEM 1410 & CHEM 1411 | College Chemistry II and College Chemistry II Laboratory | 4 |
| Physics Sequence: University Physics or College Physics | ||
| PHYSCS 2750 | University Physics I | 5-4 |
| or PHYSCS 1210 | College Physics I | |
| PHYSCS 2760 | University Physics II | 5-4 |
| or PHYSCS 1220 | College Physics II | |
| Mathematics Requirement | ||
| MATH 1500 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus I | 5 |
| Advanced Mathematics or Statistics (Calculus II or Statistics Option) | ||
| MATH 1700 | Calculus II | 5 |
| or STAT 1200 & STAT 2200 | Introductory Statistical Reasoning and Introductory Statistical Methods | |
| or STAT 2500 | Introduction to Probability and Statistics I | |
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 or 1200 | 4 | GEOL 2350 | 3 | ||
| MATH 1160 (Math and Quantitative Reasoning) | 5 | GEOL 2360 | 1 | ||
| CHEM 1400 & CHEM 1401 (Biological or Physical Science Lab) | 4 | CHEM 1410 & CHEM 1411 | 4 | ||
| ENGLSH 1000 | 3 | MATH 1500 | 5 | ||
| Second major, minor, certificate, or elective | 1 | ||||
| 16 | 14 | ||||
| Second Year | |||||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
| GEOL 2400 | 4 | GEOL; 2000+ Level | 3 | ||
| GEOL 3250 | 5 | PHYSCS 2750 | 5 | ||
| MATH 1700 | 5 | Humanities; First Writing Intensive | 3 | ||
| Missouri State Law Requirement: Social Science from Arts & Science | 3 | ||||
| 14 | 14 | ||||
| Third Year | |||||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
| GEOL 3800 | 4 | GEOL 4150 | 4 | GEOL 4992 (Or Year 4 - Summer) | 6 |
| PHYSCS 2760 | 5 | GEOL; 3000+ Level | 3 | ||
| Second Language OR Alternative | 4 | GEOL; 3000+ Level | 3 | ||
| Second Language OR Alternative | 4 | ||||
| 13 | 14 | 6 | |||
| Fourth Year | |||||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
| GEOL 4650 (Writing Intensive II) | 3 | GEOL 4900 | 4 | ||
| GEOL 3000+ Level | 3 | GEOL; 3000+ Level | 3 | ||
| Second Language OR Alternative | 4 | Humanities; Arts & Science Diversity Requirement | 3 | ||
| Humanities; 2000+ Level | 3 | Behavioral Science | 3 | ||
| Social Science | 3 | ||||
| 16 | 13 | ||||
| Total Credits: 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.