Learning Goals:
Students will be able to:
General
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design and conduct original scientific research including the processes of recognizing problems in geology, developing testable hypotheses, carrying out pertinent investigations, and communicating results.
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demonstrate an understanding of the nature of science, especially the interactions between imaginative hypothesis generation and rigorous observation and data collection.
Knowledge
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demonstrate knowledge of the major geologic processes including:
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formation of minerals, rocks, and other earth materials;
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geochemical cycling (especially the rock, water, and carbon cycles);
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circulation of the solid earth, oceans, and atmosphere;
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deformation (plate tectonic to micro-scale);
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energy flows (internal heat and solar);
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processes pertinent to stratigraphy and the geologic record; and
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the origin/evolution of the earth system (tectonic, climatic, and biologic events).
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demonstrate an awareness of the range of earth system behaviors (steady-state, secular trends, cyclical, chaotic) and factors that tend to maintain or drive a system from equilibrium.
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demonstrate knowledge of the history of science, including the major scientific revolutions, and how most problems require an integrative approach, applying tools from chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics, and other subdisciplines of geology.
Skills
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document and decipher geologic records through:
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geologic field methods (e.g., pacing, GPS, hand specimen description, Brunton compass) and
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laboratory procedures (e.g., petrography; grain size analysis); and
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techniques for data documentation, manipulation, and display (e.g., GIS, spreadsheets, graphing).
Attitude
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exhibit professional behavior and become aware of their ethical responsibility to portray the results of investigations in an unbiased nature.
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gain a deeper appreciation of their planet through exploration of the landscape, motivating them to embrace an ethic of environmental stewardship.
Assessment Criteria:
Assessments include preliminary and final course examinations; abundant written and illustrated summaries of field and laboratory investigations, including modeling studies; review papers; and oral and poster presentations of original research.
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS
One of the following 100-level courses (4 credits):
All of the following 200-level courses (24 credits):
Two of the following 300-level courses (8 credits):
Required Courses in Science and Mathematics (12 credits):
Total Credits for the Major: 48
Program Options
1. As an alternative to fulfilling the requirements above for a straight geology major, students may opt to pursue a Geology B.A. with a concentration in geochemistry (requirements listed below).
2. An Honors option, consisting of an additional 6 credits of senior research (GEY 496 Senior Research I and GEY 499 Senior Research II) is available to students who demonstrate initiative and the capacity for original work in their introductory and mid-level courses.
REQUIREMENTS FOR CONCENTRATION IN GEOCHEMISTRY
One of the following 100-level courses (4 credits):
All of the following courses (32 credits):
One full-year sequence chosen from the following (8 credits):
One 200-level or 300-level chemistry elective (4 credits):
Total Credits for the Concentration: 48
NOTES:
1. A grade of C- or above must be earned in all science courses and their prerequisites.
2. Geology courses from the major may not be used to fulfill the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.
FOREIGN LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT
One year of one foreign language at the college level or two years of one foreign language at the high school level.
GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
For specific information about general education requirements and expectations, see the General Education Requirements in the Academic Programs section of this catalog.
MINIMUM TOTAL CREDITS FOR THE DEGREE: 128