School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Geosciences (BS)
Attaining greater understanding of past and present Earth processes is the fundamental goal of geosciences. To achieve this goal the geoscientist studies the minerals, rocks, fluids, and fossils of the Earth and investigates the physical, chemical, and biological processes occurring on and in the Earth.
Professional opportunities in geology exist in the environmental, energy, and mineral resources industries and in government agencies concerned with these fields. In addition, many occupations concerned with law, management, economics, and the environment utilize a background in geosciences.
Specific degree plans will be formulated by the undergraduate advisor in Geosciences. Changing circumstances may require changes to the degree plans.
Bachelor of Science in Geosciences
Degree Requirements (120 semester credit hours)1
Faculty
Professors: Carlos L. V. Aiken, John F. Ferguson, John W. Geissman, William I. Manton, George A. McMechan, John S. Oldow, Robert J. Stern
Professors Emeritus: David E. Dunn, Richard M. Mitterer, Emile A. Pessagno Jr., Dean C. Presnall, Robert H. Rutford
Associate Professor: Thomas H. Brikowski
Associate Professor Emeritus: James L. Carter
Assistant Professor: Hejun Zhu
Senior Lecturers: William R. Griffin, Ignacio Pujana, Prabin Shilpakar
I. Core Curriculum Requirements: 42 semester credit hours2
Communication: 6 semester credit hours
COMM 1311 Survey of Oral and Technology-based Communication
RHET 1302 Rhetoric
Mathematics: 3 semester credit hours
MATH 2413 Differential Calculus3, 4
Life and Physical Sciences: 6 semester credit hours
CHEM 1311 General Chemistry I3
CHEM 1312 General Chemistry II3
Language, Philosophy and Culture: 3 semester credit hours
Select any 3 semester credit hours from Language, Philosophy and Culture core courses (see advisor)
Creative Arts: 3 semester credit hours
Select any 3 semester credit hours from Creative Arts core courses (see advisor)
American History: 6 semester credit hours
Select any 6 semester credit hours from American History core courses (see advisor)
Government / Political Science: 6 semester credit hours
GOVT 2305 American National Government
GOVT 2306 State and Local Government
Social and Behavioral Sciences: 3 semester credit hours
Select any 3 semester credit hours from Social and Behavioral Sciences core courses (see advisor)
Component Area Option: 6 semester credit hours
GEOS 1303 Physical Geology
GEOS 1304 History of Earth and Life
II. Major Requirements: 62-70 semester credit hours
Major Preparatory Courses: 21 semester credit hours beyond Core Curriculum
Prerequisite courses to be completed before enrolling in upper-division GEOS courses.
CHEM 1111 General Chemistry Laboratory I
CHEM 1112 General Chemistry Laboratory II
CHEM 1311 General Chemistry I3
CHEM 1312 General Chemistry II3
GEOS 1304 History of Earth and Life3
GEOS 1103 Physical Geology Laboratory
GEOS 1104 History of Earth and Life Laboratory
GEOS 2409 Rocks and Minerals
MATH 2413 Differential Calculus3, 4
MATH 2414 Integral Calculus
or MATH 2419 Calculus II
PHYS 2325 Mechanics
PHYS 2125 Physics Laboratory I
PHYS 2326 Electromagnetism and Waves
PHYS 2126 Physics Laboratory II
Major Core Courses: 27 semester credit hours
GEOS 2306 Essentials of Field Geologic Methods
GEOS 3300 Field Geology I (Summer Field Camp I)
GEOS 3421 Stratigraphy and Sedimentology
GEOS 3464 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
GEOS 3470 Structural Geology
GEOS 4300 Field Geology II (Summer Field Camp II)
GEOS 4320 The Physics and Chemistry of the Solid Earth
GEOS 4390 Communication in the Geosciences
Students may select either the Geology Option or the Geophysics Option.
A. Geology Option: 14-15 semester credit hours
GEOS 3434 Paleobiology
GEOS 4322 The Earth System
GEOS 4430 Hydrogeology and Aqueous Geochemistry
A mathematics course selected from:
GEOS 5306 Data Analysis for Geoscientists (with permission)
MATH 2418 Linear Algebra
MATH 2451 Multivariable Calculus with Applications
PHYS 3330 Numerical Methods in Physics and Computational Techniques
OR
B. Geophysics Option: 22 semester credit hours
MATH 2420 Differential Equations with Applications
MATH 2451 Multivariable Calculus with Applications
MATH 4362 Partial Differential Equations
PHYS 3411 Theoretical Physics
PHYS 3312 Classical Mechanics
PHYS 3416 Electricity and Magnetism
III. Elective Requirements: 8-16 semester credit hours (15 or 16 semester credit hours for Geology Option; 8 semester credit hours for Geophysics Option)
Free Electives: 8-16 semester credit hours (15 or 16 semester credit hours for Geology Option; 8 semester credit hours for Geophysics Option)
Both lower- and upper-division courses may count as electives, but students must complete at least 51 semester credit hours of upper-division courses to qualify for graduation. Students are strongly encouraged to take GEOS graduate courses as free electives.
UTeach Option
The UTeach option may be added to either the BA or BS degree. UTeach Dallas Option degree plans are streamlined to allow students to complete both a rigorous Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree and all coursework for middle or high school teacher certification in four years. Teaching Option degrees require deep content knowledge combined with courses grounded in the latest research on math and science education. While most graduates go on to classroom teaching, UTeach alums are also prepared to enter graduate school and to work in discipline related industry.
Fast Track Baccalaureate/Master's Degrees
The Fast-Track program allows students with strong academic records to take selected graduate courses that may be applied toward the baccalaureate degree and be used to satisfy requirements for the master's degree. Interested students who intend to pursue a master's degree in Geosciences may apply for a Fast Track baccalaureate/master's plan of study via the Geosciences graduate advisor. The planned coursework must be coordinated with the Geosciences undergraduate advisor; the Geosciences graduate advisor should also be notified. A maximum of 15 semester credit hours may be applied under this program.
1. Incoming freshmen must enroll and complete requirements of UNIV 1010 and the corresponding school-related freshman seminar course. Students, including transfer students, who complete their core curriculum at UT Dallas must take UNIV 2020.
2. Curriculum Requirements can be fulfilled by other approved courses from institutions of higher education. The courses listed are recommended as the most efficient way to satisfy both Core Curriculum and Major Requirements at UT Dallas.
3. A Major requirement that also fulfills a Core Curriculum requirement.
4. Three semester credit hours are counted to fulfill the Mathematics Core Requirement with the remaining semester credit hour to be counted under the major requirements.