Units required for Major: 62-64
Program Description
The BA degree program is designed as a shorter, more flexible preparation for some geology jobs, earth science teaching in high school, and jobs such as park naturalist, environmentalist, geologic planning specialist, or in geology-related businesses. The BA degree can be used in dual-track majors combining geology with biological sciences, chemistry, physics, or engineering.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Lower Division Courses (37-38 Units) | ||
| Select one of the following introductory Geology lecture-lab combinations: | 4 | |
| Geology Of Mexico | ||
| Natural Disasters Earth Science Lab | ||
| Earth Science Earth Science Lab | ||
| Physical Geology Physical Geology Lab | ||
| Each of the remaining courses as follows: | ||
| ASTR 4B | Introduction to Stars, Galaxies, and Cosmology | 3 |
| ASTR 6 | Astronomical Observation Laboratory | 1 |
| BIO 1 & BIO 2 | Biodiversity, Evolution and Ecology Cells, Molecules and Genes | 9 - 10 |
| or BIO 7 | Introduction to the Science of Biology | |
| CHEM 1A | General Chemistry I | 5 |
| or CHEM 6A | Introduction to General Chemistry | |
| GEOL 12 | Historical Geology | 3 |
| GEOL 12L | Historical Geology Lab | 1 |
| MATH 26A | Calculus I for the Social and Life Sciences | 3 |
| PHYS 5A & PHYS 5B | General Physics: Mechanics, Heat, Sound General Physics: Light, Electricity and Magnetism, Modern Physics | 8 |
| Required Upper Division Courses (26 Units) | ||
| GEOG 111 | Elements Of Meteorology | 3 |
| GEOL 103 | Sedimentology/Stratigraphy | 4 |
| GEOL 111A | Field Geology | 2 |
| GEOL 111B | Field Techniques | 2 |
| GEOL 130 | Oceanography | 3 |
| Select 6 units from the following: | 6 | |
| Paleontology | ||
| Structural Geology and Tectonics | ||
| Volcanology | ||
| Surficial Processes | ||
| Geology of California | ||
| Geology and the Environment | ||
| Geological Field Trip | ||
| Select 6 units not taken previously from the following: | 6 | |
| Environmental Archaeology | ||
| Human Paleontology | ||
| Intro to Professional Writing | ||
| Climate 1 | ||
| Global Climate Change | ||
| Landforms | ||
| California's Water Resources | ||
| Data Journalism | ||
| Philosophy Of Science | ||
| Environmental Interpretation | ||
Select 3-5 other upper-division geology courses with permission of instructor | ||
| Total Units | 63-64 | |
- 1
Indicates courses recommended for students wishing to prepare for CSET Exam for teaching high school science.
The following roadmaps are sample planning resources. Please consult your academic advisor and Academic Catalog for graduation requirements as you develop your individualized academic plan.
Earth Science, BA: 4-Year Roadmap
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Units | |
| GEOL 5 |
Geology Of Mexico 3 or Natural Disasters or Earth Science or Earth Science Lab or Physical Geology or Physical Geology Lab |
1 - 4 |
| GE Area 1A - English Composition 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 1C - Oral Communication 2 | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 13-16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| CHEM 1A or CHEM 6A |
General Chemistry I 3 or Introduction to General Chemistry |
5 |
| MATH 26A | Calculus I for the Social and Life Sciences | 3 |
| GE Area 3A - Arts 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 6 - Ethnic Studies 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 14 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| GEOL 12 | Historical Geology | 3 |
| GEOL 12L | Historical Geology Lab | 1 |
| PHYS 5A | General Physics: Mechanics, Heat, Sound | 4 |
| GE Area 1B - Critical Thinking 2 | 3 | |
| GR American Institutions (US History) 2 | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 17 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| ENGL 20 | College Composition II | 3 |
| PHYS 5B | General Physics: Light, Electricity and Magnetism, Modern Physics | 4 |
| GEOG 111 | Elements Of Meteorology | 3 |
| Earth Science Elective Group 1 3 | 3 | |
| GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| ASTR 4B | Introduction to Stars, Galaxies, and Cosmology | 3 |
| ASTR 6 | Astronomical Observation Laboratory | 1 |
| BIO 1 or BIO 7 |
Biodiversity, Evolution and Ecology 3 or Introduction to the Science of Biology |
4 - 5 |
| GEOL 100 | Earth Materials - Rocks and Minerals | 4 |
| GE Area 3B - Humanities 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 15-16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| GEOL 103 | Sedimentology/Stratigraphy | 4 |
| GEOL 111A | Field Geology | 2 |
| GEOL 111B | Field Techniques | 2 |
| Earth Science Elective Group 2 3 | 3 | |
| Earth Science Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Units | 14 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| Earth Science Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Earth Science Elective Group 1 3 | 3 | |
| Earth Science Elective Group 2 3 | 3 | |
| GR American Institutions (GOVT) 2 | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Semester 1 2 | 4 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| GEOL 130 | Oceanography | 3 |
| Earth Science Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 3 - Arts or Humanities 2 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences + Writing Intensive 2 | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Semester 2 2 | 4 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Total Units | 121-125 | |
Earth Science, BA: 2-Year Roadmap
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Units | |
| GEOG 111 | Elements Of Meteorology | 3 |
| GEOL 100 | Earth Materials - Rocks and Minerals | 4 |
| Earth Science Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Earth Science Elective Group 1 3 | 3 | |
| GR American Institutions (US History) 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| GEOL 103 | Sedimentology/Stratigraphy | 4 |
| GEOL 111A | Field Geology | 2 |
| GEOL 111B | Field Techniques | 2 |
| Earth Science Elective Group 2 3 | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 14 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| Earth Science Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Earth Science Elective Group 1 3 | 3 | |
| Earth Science Elective Group 2 3 | 3 | |
| GR American Institutions (GOVT) 2 | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Semester 1 2 | 4 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| GEOL 130 | Oceanography | 3 |
| Earth Science Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 3 - Arts or Humanities 2 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences + Writing Intensive 2 | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Semester 2 2 | 4 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Total Units | 62 | |
- 1.
Any course not completed in the first semester should be taken in the second or a later semester.
- 2.
Please see General Education/Graduation Requirement course options.
- 3.
Please see an academic advisor for elective options.