School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Department of Sustainable Earth Systems Sciences
Geosciences (BS)
Attaining a fundamental understanding of Earth's natural systems, past and present, and their coupled nonlinear relationships, is a primary goal of geosciences. An earth scientist studies the Earth's structure, composition and evolution, its minerals, rocks, fossils, sediments and fluids, and investigates the geological, physical, and biogeochemical processes occurring within the Earth and on its surface.
Professional career opportunities in earth sciences are available in the environmental, energy, mineral, and groundwater resource industries, and in government, educational, and research organizations related to these fields. In addition, many occupations concerned with business, management, economics, law, policy, and engineering, require a background in earth sciences.
Specific degree plans will be formulated by the undergraduate advisor in the Department of Sustainable Earth Systems Sciences. Changing circumstances may require changes to the degree plans.
Bachelor of Science in Geosciences
Degree Requirements (120 semester credit hours)
View an Example of Degree Requirements by Semester
Faculty
Professors: David Lumley, Robert J. Stern
Associate Professors: Thomas H. Brikowski, Hejun Zhu
Professors Emeriti: David E. Dunn, George A. McMechan, Richard M. Mitterer, Emile A. Pessagno Jr., Dean C. Presnall
Research Professor: John W. Geissman
Associate Professor of Instruction: William R. Griffin, Ignacio Pujana
Assistant Professor of Instruction: Mortaza Pirouz
I. Core Curriculum Requirements: 42 semester credit hours1
Communication: 6 semester credit hours
Select any 6 semester credit hours from Communication Core courses (see advisor)
Mathematics: 3 semester credit hours
MATH 2413 Differential Calculus2, 3
Or select any 3 semester credit hours from Mathematics Core courses (see advisor)
Life and Physical Sciences: 6 semester credit hours
CHEM 1311 General Chemistry I2
or CHEM 1315 Honors Freshman Chemistry I2
CHEM 1312 General Chemistry II2
or CHEM 1316 Honors Freshman Chemistry II2
Or select any 6 semester credit hours from Life and Physical Sciences Core courses (see advisor)
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
Select any 6 semester credit hours from Government/Political Science Core courses (see advisor)
Social and Behavioral Sciences: 3 semester credit hours
Select any 3 semester credit hours from Social and Behavioral Sciences Core courses
Component Area Option: 6 semester credit hours
GEOS 1303 Physical Geology
GEOS 1304 History of Earth and Life
Or select any 6 semester credit hours from Component Area Option Core courses (see advisor)
II. Major Requirements: 62-75 semester credit hours
Major Preparatory Courses: 17-18 semester credit hours beyond Core Curriculum
Prerequisite courses to be completed before enrolling in upper-division GEOS courses.
CHEM 1111 General Chemistry Laboratory I
or CHEM 1115 Honors Freshman Chemistry Laboratory I
CHEM 1112 General Chemistry Laboratory II
or CHEM 1116 Honors Freshman Chemistry Laboratory II
CHEM 1311 General Chemistry I2
or CHEM 1315 Honors Freshman Chemistry I2
CHEM 1312 General Chemistry II2
or CHEM 1316 Honors Freshman Chemistry II2
GEOS 1304 History of Earth and Life2
GEOS 1103 Physical Geology Laboratory
GEOS 1104 History of Earth and Life Laboratory
MATH 2413 Differential Calculus2, 3
MATH 2414 Integral Calculus
or MATH 2419 Calculus II
PHYS 2325 Mechanics
and PHYS 2125 Physics Laboratory I
or PHYS 2421 Honors Physics I - Mechanics and Heat4
PHYS 2326 Electromagnetism and Waves
or PHYS 2422 Honors Physics II - Electromagnetism and Waves
PHYS 2126 Physics Laboratory II
Major Core Courses: 31 semester credit hours
GEOS 3300 Field Geology I (Summer Field Camp I)
GEOS 3421 Stratigraphy and Sedimentology
GEOS 3464 Earth Materials
GEOS 3470 Structural Geology
GEOS 3475 Geochemistry
GEOS 4300 Field Geology II (Summer Field Camp II)
GEOS 4320 The Physics of the Solid Earth
GEOS 4390 Communication in Earth Sciences
And select one course from the following:
GEOS 3310 Environmental Geophysics
GEOS 4395 Remote Sensing Geophysics
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
And select one mathematics course from the following:
GEOS 2351 Mathematics in the Earth Sciences
ENGR 2300 Linear Algebra for Engineers
MATH 2415 Calculus of Several Variables
MATH 2418 Linear Algebra
MATH 3351 Advanced Calculus
PHYS 3330 Numerical Methods in Physics and Computational Techniques
STAT 2332 Introductory Statistics for Life Sciences
STAT 3355 Introduction to Data Analysis
B. Geophysics Option: 25-26 semester credit hours
MATH 2418 Linear Algebra
MATH 2420 Differential Equations with Applications
MATH 3351 Advanced Calculus
MATH 4362 Partial Differential Equations
PHYS 3411 Theoretical Physics
PHYS 3312 Classical Mechanics
PHYS 3416 Electricity and Magnetism
III. Elective Requirements: 3-16 semester credit hours (14-16 semester credit hours for Geology Option; 3-5 semester credit hours for Geophysics Option)
Both lower- and upper-division courses may count as electives.
Students are strongly encouraged to consider taking GEOS graduate courses as free electives if they meet the fast-track requirements.
The plan must include sufficient upper-division courses to total 45 upper-division semester credit hours.
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 a 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.
Minors
Students must take a minimum of 18 semester credit hours for the minor, 12 of which must be upper-division semester credit hours. Students who take a minor will be expected to meet the normal prerequisites in courses making up the minor, and should maintain a minimum GPA of 2.000 on a 4.00 scale (C average). Semester credit hours may not be used to satisfy both the major and minor requirements; however, free elective semester credit hours or major preparatory classes may be used to satisfy the minor.
For all minors in the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics students must complete all prerequisite sequences for required minor courses.
Minor in Geosciences
20 semester credit hours
Required lower-division courses: 8 semester credit hours
GEOS 1103 Physical Geology Laboratory5
GEOS 1104 History of Earth and Life Laboratory5
GEOS 1304 History of Earth and Life5
Upper-division courses: 12 semester credit hours
To be selected in consultation with Geosciences Undergraduate advisor
Certificates
Certificate in Geophysics
12 semester credit hours
A Certificate in Geophysics is offered by the Department of Sustainable Earth Systems Sciences (SESS) in the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.
The focus of the Certificate in Geophysics is to provide students with the opportunity to combine their existing knowledge with a strong foundation and understanding in Geophysics, which will open up exciting new job opportunities for their future careers in industry, government, and academia.
Admission Requirements
Undergraduate students who have completed prerequisite courses.
Certificate Requirements
Students must complete the following courses:
GEOS 4320 The Physics of the Solid Earth
GEOS 4395 Remote Sensing Geophysics
GEOS 3310 Environmental Geophysics
Choose one course from the following:
GEOS 2307 Digital Earth
ISNS 2366 Global Climate Change
PHYS 3380 Astronomy
1. 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.
2. A Major requirement that also fulfills a Core Curriculum requirement.
3. 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.
4. Students who complete PHYS 2421 do not need to complete PHYS 2125.
5. A prerequisite course to be completed before enrolling in upper-division GEOS core courses (GEOS 3300, GEOS 3421, GEOS 3434, GEOS 3464, GEOS 3470, GEOS 4300, GEOS 4320, GEOS 4322, and GEOS 4430).