Units required for Major: 72
Total units required for BS: 120
Program Description
The BS in Geology (General Geology) degree program is designed to prepare students for professional employment or advanced study in geology. The Geology program emphasizes a strong background in the major areas of geology including: mineralogy, petrology, stratigraphy, structural geology, field mapping, and report writing.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Lower Division Core Courses (26 Units) | ||
| CHEM 1A | General Chemistry I | 5 |
| GEOL 10 & 10L | Physical Geology Physical Geology Lab | 4 |
| or GEOL 5 | Geology Of Mexico | |
| GEOL 11 Digital Methods in Geoscience | 1 | |
| GEOL 12 | Historical Geology | 3 |
| GEOL 12L | Historical Geology Lab | 1 |
| MATH 30 | Calculus I 1 | 4 |
| PHYS 5A | General Physics: Mechanics, Heat, Sound | 4 |
| or PHYS 11A | General Physics: Mechanics | |
| PHYS 5B | General Physics: Light, Electricity and Magnetism, Modern Physics | 4 |
| or PHYS 11B | General Physics: Heat, Light, Sound, Modern Physics | |
| Required Upper Division Core Courses (46 Units) | ||
| GEOL 100 | Earth Materials - Rocks and Minerals | 4 |
| GEOL 103 | Sedimentology/Stratigraphy | 4 |
| GEOL 110A | Structural Geology and Tectonics | 4 |
| GEOL 110B | Structural Geology Field | 1 |
| GEOL 111A | Field Geology | 2 |
| GEOL 111B | Field Techniques | 2 |
| GEOL 121 | Geology of California | 3 |
| GEOL 189 Geology Colloquium | 2 | |
| Select from the following concentrations: | 24 | |
| General Geology | ||
| Hydrogeology | ||
| Total Units | 72 | |
- 1
Course also satisfies General Education (GE)/Graduation Requirement.
Concentration in General Geology
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses (12 Units) | ||
| GEOL 101 Optical Mineralogy | 2 | |
| GEOL 102 | Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology | 4 |
| GEOL 188 | Advanced Geologic Mapping | 6 |
| Elective Courses (12 Units) | ||
| Select at least 12 units from the following: | 12 | |
| Paleontology | ||
| Geophysics For Geologists | ||
| Volcanology | ||
| Surficial Processes | ||
| Geochemistry | ||
| Metallic Ore Deposits | ||
| Environmental Field Methods | ||
| Hydrogeology | ||
| Marine Geology | ||
| Computer Mapping in Geology | ||
| Petroleum Geology | ||
| Geology and Tectonic Development of California Seminar | ||
| Engineering Geology | ||
| Senior Research Preparation | ||
| Senior Research Project | ||
| Total Units | 24 | |
General Education Requirements1
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Area A: Basic Subjects (9 Units) | ||
| A1 - Oral Communication | 3 | |
| A2 - Written Communication | 3 | |
| A3 - Critical Thinking | 3 | |
| Area B: Physical Universe and Its Life Forms (6 Units) | ||
| B1 - Physical Science 2 | 0 | |
| B2 - Life Forms | 3 | |
| B3 - Lab (Note: Lab experience to be taken with one of the following: B1, B2 or B5) 2 | 0 | |
| B4 - Math Concepts 2 | 0 | |
| B5 - Additional Course (Any B to reach 12 units) - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. | 3 | |
| Area C: Arts and Humanities (12 Units) | ||
| C1 - Arts | 3 | |
| C2 - Humanities | 3 | |
| C1/C2 - Area C Course | 3 | |
| C1/C2 - Area C Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. | 3 | |
| Area D: The Individual and Society (9 Units) | ||
| Area D Course | 3 | |
| Area D Course | 3 | |
| Area D Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. | 3 | |
| Area E: Understanding Personal Development (3 Units) | ||
| Area E Course | 3 | |
| Area F: Ethnic Studies (3 Units) | ||
| Area F Course | 3 | |
| Total Units | 42 | |
- 1
To help you complete your degree in a timely manner and not take more units than absolutely necessary, there are ways to use single courses to meet more than one requirement (overlap). For further information, please visit the General Education page.
Note: There is no way to list all possible overlaps so please consult with a professional advisor. The Academic Advising Center can be visited online, by phone (916) 278-1000, or email.
- 2
Required in Major; also satisfies GE.
Graduation Requirements1
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation Requirements (required by CSU) (9 Units) | ||
| American Institutions: U.S. History | 3 | |
| American Institutions: U.S. Constitution & CA Government | 3 | |
| Writing Intensive (WI) | 3 | |
| Graduation Requirements (required by Sacramento State) (12 Units) | ||
| English Composition II | 3 | |
| Race and Ethnicity in American Society (RE) | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement 2 | 6 | |
- 1
To help you complete your degree in a timely manner and not take more units than absolutely necessary, there are ways to use single courses to meet more than one requirement (overlap). For further information, please visit the General Education page.
Note: There is no way to list all possible overlaps so please consult with a professional advisor. The Academic Advising Center can be visited online, by phone (916) 278-1000, or email.
- 2
If not satisfied before entering Sacramento State, it may be satisfied in General Education Area C2 (Humanities). "C- or better required." The alternative methods for satisfying the Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement are described here: https://www.csus.edu/college/arts-letters/world-languages-literatures/foreign-language-requirement.html
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.
Geology, BS: 4-Year Roadmap
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Units | |
| MATH 30 | Calculus I | 4 |
| GE Area 1C - Oral Communication 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 3A - Arts 2 | 3 | |
| GR American Institutions (GOVT) 2 | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| CHEM 1A | General Chemistry I | 5 |
| GEOL 5 |
Geology Of Mexico 3 or Physical Geology or Physical Geology Lab |
1 - 4 |
| GE Area 1A - English Composition 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 5B - Biological Science 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 12-15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| GEOL 11 | Digital Methods in Geoscience | 1 |
| GEOL 12 | Historical Geology | 3 |
| GEOL 12L | Historical Geology Lab | 1 |
| GE Area 1B - Critical Thinking 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 3B - Humanities 2 | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Semester 1 2 | 4 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| ENGL 20 | College Composition II | 3 |
| GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences 2 | 3 | |
| GR American Institutions (US History) 2 | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Semester 2 2 | 4 | |
| GE Area 6 - Ethnic Studies 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| GEOL 100 | Earth Materials - Rocks and Minerals | 4 |
| GEOL 101 | Optical Mineralogy | 2 |
| GEOL Elective 3 | 3 | |
| GEOL Elective 3 | 3 | |
| PHYS 5A or PHYS 11A |
General Physics: Mechanics, Heat, Sound 3 or General Physics: Mechanics |
4 |
| Units | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| GEOL 103 | Sedimentology/Stratigraphy | 4 |
| GEOL 111A | Field Geology | 2 |
| GEOL 111B | Field Techniques | 2 |
| GEOL 189 | Geology Colloquium | 1 |
| PHYS 5B | General Physics: Light, Electricity and Magnetism, Modern Physics | 4 |
| Upper Division GE Area 5 or 2 - Science or Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| GEOL 102 | Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology | 4 |
| GEOL 110A | Structural Geology and Tectonics | 4 |
| GEOL 110B | Structural Geology Field | 1 |
| GEOL 189 | Geology Colloquium | 1 |
| Upper Division GE Area 3 - Arts or Humanities + Writing Intensive 2 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| GEOL 121 | Geology of California | 3 |
| GEOL 188 | Advanced Geologic Mapping | 6 |
| GEOL Elective 3 | 3 | |
| GEOL Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Total Units | 122-125 | |
Geology, BS: 2-Year Roadmap
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Units | |
| GEOL 100 | Earth Materials - Rocks and Minerals | 4 |
| GEOL 101 | Optical Mineralogy | 2 |
| GEOL Elective 3 | 3 | |
| GR American Institutions (US History) 2 | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Semester 1 2 | 4 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| GEOL 103 | Sedimentology/Stratigraphy | 4 |
| GEOL 189 | Geology Colloquium | 1 |
| GEOL 111A | Field Geology | 2 |
| GEOL 111B | Field Techniques | 2 |
| GEOL Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Semester 2 2 | 4 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| GEOL 102 | Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology | 4 |
| GEOL 189 | Geology Colloquium | 1 |
| GEOL 110A | Structural Geology and Tectonics | 4 |
| GEOL 110B | Structural Geology Field | 1 |
| Upper Division GE Area 3 - Arts or Humanities + Writing Intensive 2 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences + American Institutions (GOVT) 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| GEOL 121 | Geology of California | 3 |
| GEOL 188 | Advanced Geologic Mapping | 6 |
| GEOL Elective 3 | 3 | |
| GEOL Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 5 or 2 - Science or Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 18 | |
| Total Units | 66 | |
- 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.