The Bachelor of Science in Geosciences
Total Course Requirements for the Bachelor’s Degree: 120 units
See “Requirements for the Bachelor’s Degree” in The University Catalog
for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 40 units,
including those required for the major, must be upper division.
The department has prepared a suggested Four Year Advising Plan to help
students meet all graduation requirements within four years. Please request
a plan from your major adviser or view it and other current advising information
on the CSU, Chico Web.
General Education Requirements: 48 units
See “General Education Requirements” in The University Catalog and The Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education Requirements
and course offerings. The course requirements marked below with an asterisk
(*) may also be applied toward General Education.
Geosciences majors in the Option in Science Education may meet the Breadth
Area B2 requirement by completing BIOL 006A.
Cultural Diversity Course Requirements: 6 units
See “Cultural Diversity” in The University Catalog. Most courses used to
satisfy these requirements may also apply to General Education.
American Institutions Requirement: 6 units
See the “American Institutions Requirement” under “Bachelor’s Degree Requirements.”
This requirement is normally fulfilled by completing HIST 050 and POLS
055. Courses used to satisfy this requirement do not apply to General Education.
Literacy Requirement:
See “Mathematics and Writing Requirements” in The University Catalog. Writing
proficiency in the major is a graduation requirement and may be demonstrated
through satisfactory completion of a course in your major which has been
designated as the Writing Proficiency (WP) course for the semester in which
you take the course. Students who earn below a C- are required to repeat
the course and earn a C- or better to receive WP credit. See The Class Schedule for the designated WP courses for each semester. You must pass
ENGL 001 (or its equivalent) with a C- or better before you may register
for a WP course.
Course Requirements for the Major: 63-70 units
The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required
of all candidates for this degree. Additional required courses, dependent
upon a selected option or advising pattern, are outlined following the
degree core program requirements.
DEGREE CORE PROGRAM: 15-16 units
2 courses required:
CHEM 037 General Chemistry 4.0 FS *
Prerequisites: Second-year high school algebra; one year high school chemistry
or CHEM 016. (One year of high school physics and one year of high school
mathematics past Algebra II are recommended.)
MATH 007A Analytic Geometry and Calculus 4.0 FS *
Prerequisites: Completion of ELM requirement; both MATH 004 and MATH 006
(or high school equivalent); a score that meets department guidelines on
a department administered calculus readiness exam.
1 course selected from:
PHYS 002A General Physics 4.0 FS *
Prerequisites: High school physics or faculty permission. High school trigonometry
and second-year high school algebra or equivalent (MATH 003 and MATH 004
at CSU, Chico).
PHYS 004A Mechanics 4.0 FS *
Prerequisites: High school physics or faculty permission. Concurrent enrollment
in or prior completion of MATH 007B (second semester of calculus) or equivalent.
1 course selected from:
MATH 007B Analytic Geometry and Calculus 4.0 FS
Prerequisites: Completion of ELM requirement; MATH 007A with a grade of
C- or higher.
MATH 005 Statistics 3.0 FS *
Prerequisites: Completion of ELM requirement.
Students choosing the Science Education Option must select either MATH
007B or MATH 005.
Students choosing the Earth Science, Geology, or Hydrology Option who contemplate
attending graduate school should talk with an adviser about additional
preparatory courses in chemistry, mathematics, and physics. We recommend
CHEM 037 and CHEM 038; MATH 007A and MATH 007B; and either PHYS 002A and
PHYS 002B or PHYS 004A, PHYS 004B, and PHYS 004C.
Major Option Course Requirements: 48-54 units
The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required
dependent upon the option chosen. Students must select one of the following
options for completion of the major course requirements.
THE OPTION IN HYDROLOGY: 53-54 units
Students anticipating becoming licensed as a Certified Hydrogeologist in
the State of California must also be licensed as a Registered Geologist
prior to certification. To qualify as a Registered Geologist in the State
of California requires graduation with a major in geology or the completion
of 30 semester units in geological science courses leading to a major in
geology, of which at least 24 units must be upper-division or graduate
courses. The department therefore recommends that students complete a major
in geology in addition to the Option in Hydrology.
Lower-Division Requirements: 16 units
5 courses required:
CHEM 038 General Chemistry 4.0 FS
Prerequisites: CHEM 037.
GEOS 002 Physical Geology 3.0 FS *
Prerequisites: High school chemistry or physics is recommended; students
with no previous science courses are advised to enroll in GEOS 001. No
college credit for those who have passed GEOS 001.
GEOS 050 Computer Applications in Geosci 1.0 FS
Prerequisites: Prior or concurrent enrollment in MATH 007A, or consent
of instructor.
GEOS 060 Environmental Soil Science 2.0 FA
Prerequisites: CHEM 037, PHYS 002A or PHYS 004A (may be taken concurrently).
GEOS 070 California Water 2.0 SP
Prerequisites: One course from Breadth Area B1 of General Education.
1 course selected from:
PHYS 002B General Physics 4.0 FS
Prerequisites: PHYS 002A.
PHYS 004B Electricity and Magnetism 4.0 FS
Prerequisites: MATH 007B, PHYS 004A.
PHYS 004C Heat/Wave Motion/Sound/Light 4.0 FS
Prerequisites: MATH 007B, PHYS 004A.
Upper-Division Requirements: 37-38 units
Option Core: 26 units
9 courses required:
GEOS 100 Earth Science 3.0 FA
Prerequisites: ENGL 001 (or its equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher,
CHEM 027 or equivalent, PHYS 002A, PHYS 002B.
GEOS 106 Mineralogy and Lithology 4.0 FA
Prerequisites: GEOS 001 or GEOS 002; CHEM 037 or CHEM 027 or equivalent;
or faculty permission.
GEOS 130 Environmental Science 3.0 FS *
Prerequisites: One course from Breadth Area B1 and one course from Breadth
Area B2 of the General Education requirements.
GEOS 180 Hydrology 3.0 FA
Prerequisites: GEOS 070; PHYS 002A or PHYS 004A (may be taken concurrently).
GEOS 181 Hydrologic Field Methods 2.0 FA
Prerequisites: GEOS 070 (may be taken concurrently), GEOS 180, GEOS 215,
prior hydrology course work, or consent of instructor.
GEOS 215 Hydrogeology 3.0 SP
Prerequisites: CHEM 037, GEOS 106; MATH 007A; either PHYS 002A or PHYS
004A; either GEOS 070 or GEOS 180. Recommended: GEOS 107.
GEOS 260 Water Resources Management 3.0 SP
Prerequisites: Upper-division standing, GEOS 130 or GEOS 180.
GEOS 265 Geochemistry 3.0 FA
Prerequisites: CHEM 037, GEOS 002. Recommended: GEOS 106.
GEOS 275 Senior Project 2.0 SP
Prerequisites: Senior standing in Hydrology or Environmental Science Options.
ADVISING PATTERN CORE REQUIREMENTS: 11-12 units
The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required
depending upon the advising pattern chosen. Students must select one of
the following advising patterns for the completion of the major course
requriements.
Watershed Advising Pattern: 11-12 units
2 courses required:
GEOS 190 Surficial Processes 3.0 FA
Prerequisites: MATH 007A; either PHYS 002A or PHYS 004A.
GEOS 210 Intro to Watershed Hydrology 3.0 SP
Prerequisites: GEOS 180 or concurrent enrollment in GEOS 215 or prior hydrology
course work and consent of instructor.
5-6 units selected from:
In consultation with an adviser, select 5-6 units of relevant upper-division
courses in Biological Sciences, Civil Engineering, Chemistry, Geography,
and Geosciences.
Hydrogeology Advising Pattern: 11-12 units
2 courses required:
GEOS 107 Stratigraphy 3.0 FA
Prerequisites: GEOS 003 and GEOS 106 (both may be taken concurrently),
or faculty permission.
GEOS 230 Environmental Systems Modeling I 3.0 F2
Prerequisites: CHEM 038; GEOS 130 or faculty permission; MATH 007A; either
PHYS 002B or PHYS 004C.
5-6 units selected from:
In consultation with an adviser, select 5-6 units of relevant upper-division
courses in Biological Sciences, Civil Engineering, Chemistry, Geography,
and Geosciences.
THE OPTION IN SCIENCE EDUCATION WITH A CONCENTRATION IN GEOSCIENCES: 48
units
This option fulfills all requirements for the Single Subject Teaching Credential
with a Concentration in Geosciences. See the Single Subject Credential
secton which follows for more information.
Lower-Division Requirements: 24 units
7 courses required:
BIOL 006A Biological Principles 4.0 FS
Prerequisites: Recommend CHEM 037 or concurrent enrollment.
BIOL 006B Biological Principles 4.0 FS
Prerequisites: BIOL 006A; recommend CHEM 038 or concurrent enrollment.
CHEM 038 General Chemistry 4.0 FS
Prerequisites: CHEM 037.
GEOS 002 Physical Geology 3.0 FS *
Prerequisites: High school chemistry or physics is recommended; students
with no previous science courses are advised to enroll in GEOS 001. No
college credit for those who have passed GEOS 001.
GEOS 003 Principles of Historical Geology 2.0 FA
Prerequisites: GEOS 001 or GEOS 002.
GEOS 005 Introduction to Astronomy 3.0 FS *
PHYS 002B General Physics 4.0 FS
Prerequisites: PHYS 002A.
Upper-Division Requirements: 21 units
7 courses required:
GEOS 100 Earth Science 3.0 FA
Prerequisites: ENGL 001 (or its equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher,
CHEM 027 or equivalent, PHYS 002A, PHYS 002B.
GEOS 103 Invertebrate Paleontology 3.0 SP
Prerequisites: GEOS 003 or course in Biology.
GEOS 106 Mineralogy and Lithology 4.0 FA
Prerequisites: GEOS 001 or GEOS 002; CHEM 037 or CHEM 027 or equivalent;
or faculty permission.
GEOS 107 Stratigraphy 3.0 FA
Prerequisites: GEOS 003 and GEOS 106 (both may be taken concurrently),
or faculty permission.
GEOS 120 Introduction to Meteorology 3.0 SP
Prerequisites: MATH 007A; either PHYS 002B or PHYS 004C.
GEOS 143 Oceanography 3.0 FA
Prerequisites: A lab course in the biological sciences and a lab course
in the physical sciences.
GEOS 160 Field Methods 2.0 SP
Prerequisites: GEOS 106, GEOS 107.
1 course selected from:
GEOS 205 Solar System Astronomy 3.0 S1
Prerequisites: PHYS 002A or equivalent, or faculty permission.
GEOS 206 Origin/Evolution of Universe 3.0 S2
Prerequisites: PHYS 002A; PHYS 002B; or equivalents; or faculty permission.
Electives Requirement:
To complete the total units required for the bachelor’s degree, select
additional elective courses from the total university offerings. You should
consult with an adviser regarding the selection of courses which will provide
breadth to your university experience and apply to a supportive second
major or minor.
Grading Requirement:
All courses taken to fulfill major course requirements must be taken for
a letter grade, except those courses specified by the department as Credit/No
Credit grading only.
Advising Requirement:
Advising is mandatory for all majors in this degree program.
Consult your
undergraduate adviser for specific information.
Honors in the Major
Honors in the Major is a program of independent work in your major.
It
involves 6 units of honors course work completed over two semesters.
Your Honors work will be recognized at your graduation, on your permanent
transcripts, and on your diploma. It is often accompanied by letters of
commendation from your mentor in the department or the department chair.
Most importantly, however, the Honors in the Major program allows you to
work closely with a faculty mentor in your area of interest on an original
performance or research project. This year-long collaboration allows you
to work in your field at a professional level and culminates in a public
presentation of your work. Students sometimes take their projects beyond
the university for submission in professional journals, presentation at
conferences, or competition in shows; such experience is valuable for graduate
school and later professional life.
Some common features of Honors in the Major program are
1. You must take 6 units of Honors in the Major course work. At least 3
of these 6 units are independent study (299H) as specified by your department.
You must complete each class with a minimum grade of B.
2. You must have
completed 9 units of upper-division course work or 21 overall units in
your major before you can be admitted to Honors in the Major. Check the
requirements carefully, as there may be specific courses that must be included
in these units.
3. Your cumulative GPA should be at least 3.5 or within
the top 5 percent of majors in your department.
4. Your GPA in your major
should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5 percent of majors in your department.
5.
Most students apply for or are invited to participate in Honors in the
Major during the second semester of their junior year. Then they complete
the 6 units of course work over the two semesters of their senior year.
6.
Your honors work culminates with a public presentation of your Honors project.
While Honors in the Major is part of the Honors Program, each department
administers its own program. Please contact your major department or major
adviser for further information.
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