The Bachelor of Science in Geology

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.

A suggested Major Academic Plan (MAP) has been prepared to help students meet all graduation requirements within four years. Please request a plan from your major advisor or view it and other current advising information at http://em.csuchico.edu/aap/ProgramSearch.

Please see General Education, Cultural Diversity, U.S. History, Constitution, and American Ideals, and Literacy Requirements under the BS in Geosciences.

Course Requirements for the Major: 65-66 units

Completion of the following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required of all candidates for this degree.

Lower-Division Requirements: 21-22 units

4 courses required:

CHEM 111 General Chemistry 4.0 FS *
Prerequisites: Second-year high school algebra; one year high school chemistry. (One year of high school physics and one year of high school mathematics past Algebra II are recommended.)
GEOS 102 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 101. No college credit for those who have passed GEOS 101.
GEOS 203 Principles of Historical Geology 3.0 FA
Prerequisites: GEOS 101 or GEOS 102.
MATH 120 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 4.0 FS *
Prerequisites: Completion of ELM requirement; both MATH 118 and MATH 119 (or high school equivalent); a score that meets department guidelines on a department administered calculus readiness exam.

1 course selected from:

PHYS 202A General Physics 4.0 FS *
Prerequisites: High school physics or faculty permission. High school trigonometry and second-year high school algebra or equivalent (MATH 051 and MATH 118 at CSU, Chico).
PHYS 204A Physics for Students of Science and Engineering: Mechanics 4.0 FS *
Prerequisites: High school physics or faculty permission. Concurrent enrollment in or prior completion of MATH 121 (second semester of calculus) or equivalent.

1 course selected from:

MATH 105 Statistics 3.0 FS *
Prerequisites: Completion of ELM requirement.
MATH 121 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 4.0 FS
Prerequisites: MATH 120.

Students who are considering attending graduate school should talk with an advisor about additional preparatory courses in chemistry, mathematics, and physics. The department very strongly recommends CHEM 111, CHEM 112, MATH 120, MATH 121; either PHYS 202A and PHYS 202B or PHYS 204A, PHYS 204B, and PHYS 204C.

Upper-Division Requirements: 44 units

12 courses required:

GEOS 303 Invertebrate Paleontology 3.0 SP
Prerequisites: GEOS 203 or course in Biology.
GEOS 306 Mineralogy and Lithology 4.0 FA
Prerequisites: GEOS 101 or GEOS 102; CHEM 107 or CHEM 111 or equivalent; or faculty permission.
GEOS 307 Stratigraphy 3.0 FA
Prerequisites: GEOS 203 and GEOS 306 (both may be taken concurrently), or faculty permission.
GEOS 360 Field Methods 2.0 SP
Prerequisites: GEOS 306, GEOS 307.
GEOS 361 Preparation of the Geological Report 1.0 SP WP
Prerequisites: ENGL 130 (or its equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher, GEOS 360.
GEOS 402 Optical Mineralogy 1.0 SP
Prerequisites: GEOS 306 with grade of C- or better. Must be taken concurrently with GEOS 403.
GEOS 403 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology 4.0 SP
Prerequisites: GEOS 306 with grade of C- or better. Must be taken concurrently with GEOS 402.
GEOS 408 Structural Geology 4.0 FA
Prerequisites: High school or college trigonometry; GEOS 203; GEOS 307 with grade of C- or higher.
GEOS 471 Field Geology 2.0 SP
Prerequisites: GEOS 360, GEOS 361, GEOS 408 (with grade of C- or higher in all courses).
GEOS 555 Sedimentary Basin Analysis 3.0 FA
Prerequisites: GEOS 307, GEOS 403.
GEOS 572 Advanced Field Geology 2.0 SP
Prerequisites: GEOS 403, GEOS 471.
GEOS 580 Geological Evolution of North America 3.0 SP
Prerequisites: GEOS 555, senior standing in Geology major, or faculty permission.

4 courses selected from:

GEOS 325 Geology of California 3.0 F2
Prerequisites: GEOS 101 or GEOS 102 or consent of instructor.
GEOS 390 Surficial Processes 3.0 F1
Prerequisites: MATH 120; either PHYS 202A or PHYS 204A.
GEOS 415 Hydrogeology 3.0 S2
Prerequisites: CHEM 111, GEOS 306, GEOS 380, MATH 120; PHYS 202A or PHYS 204A. Recommended: GEOS 307.
GEOS 436 Volcanology 3.0 S1
Prerequisites: GEOS 101 or GEOS 102, GEOS 306.
GEOS 450 Tectonics 3.0 S1
Prerequisites: GEOS 306, GEOS 307.
GEOS 545 Applied Geophysics 3.0 S2
Prerequisites: One year of physics, GEOS 102, or faculty permission.
GEOS 549 Economic Geology 3.0 S2
Prerequisites: GEOS 306, GEOS 307.
GEOS 550 Fossil Fuels 3.0 F1
Prerequisites: GEOS 307 or instructor's consent
GEOS 565 Geochemistry 3.0 FA
Prerequisites: CHEM 111, GEOS 102. Recommended: GEOS 306.
GEOS 570 Environmental and Engineering Geology 3.0 S1
Prerequisites: GEOS 102, GEOS 203, GEOS 306. For majors in related sciences and technical fields, GEOS 102 only.

Please see the Electives, Grading, and Advising Requirements under the BS in Geosciences.