Units required for Major: 75
Total units required for BS: 120
Program Description
The BS in Geology with a concentration in Environmental Geology prepares students to enter the workforce or pursue further studies in near-surface processes such as water and soil that provide vital resources for humans and the environment. The program emphasizes the fundamentals of geology, including earth materials, stratigraphy, structural geology, and field geology. The program then builds on this foundation with coursework focusing on environmental systems and human interactions with the Earth and environment including water resources, soil processes, land and resource management, soil and water contamination and remediation, and related natural Earth processes.
Graduates from this program will meet the educational requirements for pursuing licensure as a Professional Geologist.
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 (22 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 | |
| Concentration (24-27 Units) | ||
| Select from the following concentrations: | 24 - 27 | |
General Geology | ||
Environmental Geology | ||
| Total Units | 72-75 | |
- 1
Course also satisfies General Education (GE)/Graduation Requirement.
Concentration in Environmental Geology (27 units)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses (8 Units) | ||
| CHEM 1B | General Chemistry II | 5 |
| GEOL 140 | Geology and the Environment | 3 |
| Elective Courses (19 Units) | 19 | |
| Select at least 10 units from the following four classes with an environmental geology focus: | ||
| Surficial Processes | ||
| Geochemistry | ||
| Environmental Field Methods | ||
| Hydrogeology | ||
| Remaining elective units may come from the following classes: | ||
GEOL 101 Optical Mineralogy | ||
| Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology | ||
| Paleontology | ||
| Geophysics For Geologists | ||
| Volcanology | ||
| Metallic Ore Deposits | ||
| Marine Geology | ||
| Computer Mapping in Geology | ||
| Petroleum Geology | ||
| Advanced Geologic Mapping | ||
| Engineering Geology | ||
| Senior Research Preparation | ||
| Senior Research Project | ||
| Total Units | 27 | |
General Education Requirements1
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Area 1: English Communication (9 Units) | ||
| 1A - English Composition | 3 | |
| 1B - Critical Thinking | 3 | |
| 1C - Oral Communication | 3 | |
| Area 2: Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning (3 Units) | ||
| Area 2 Course - Lower Division | 3 | |
| Area 3: The Arts and Humanities (6 Units) | ||
| 3A - Arts | 3 | |
| 3B - Humanities | 3 | |
| Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 Units) | ||
| Area 4 Course -Lower Division | 3 | |
| Area 4 Course - Lower Division | 3 | |
| Area 5: Physical and Biological Sciences (7 Units) | ||
| 5A - Physical Science | 3 | |
| 5B - Biological Science | 3 | |
| 5C - Laboratory | 1 | |
| Area 6: Ethnic Studies (3 Units) | ||
| Area 6 Course | 3 | |
| Upper Division Courses: (9 Units) | ||
| Area 3 Course - Upper Division | 3 | |
| Area 4 Course - Upper Division | 3 | |
| Area 2 OR Area 5 Course - Upper Division | 3 | |
| Total Units | 43 | |
- 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 (Environmental Geology), BS: 4-Year Roadmap
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Units | |
| GEOL 10 |
Physical Geology 3 or Physical Geology Lab or Geology Of Mexico |
1 - 4 |
| GE Area 1B - Critical Thinking 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 1C - Oral Communication 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 3A - Arts 2 | 3 | |
| GR American Institutions (GOVT) 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 13-16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| CHEM 1A | General Chemistry I | 5 |
| MATH 30 | Calculus I | 4 |
| GE Area 1A - English Composition 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 5B - Biological Science 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| CHEM 1B | General Chemistry II | 5 |
| GEOL 12 | Historical Geology | 3 |
| GEOL 12L | Historical Geology Lab | 1 |
| Foreign Language Semester 1 2 | 4 | |
| GR American Institutions (US History) 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| GEOL 11 | Digital Methods in Geoscience | 1 |
| PHYS 5A or PHYS 11A |
General Physics: Mechanics, Heat, Sound or General Physics: Mechanics |
4 |
| GEOL Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Semester 2 2 | 4 | |
| Second Semester Composition 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| GEOL 100 | Earth Materials - Rocks and Minerals | 4 |
| PHYS 5B or PHYS 11C |
General Physics: Light, Electricity and Magnetism, Modern Physics or General Physics: Electricity and Magnetism |
4 |
| GEOL Elective 3 | 4 | |
| GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| GEOL 103 | Sedimentology/Stratigraphy | 4 |
| GEOL 111A | Field Geology | 2 |
| GEOL 111B | Field Techniques | 2 |
| GEOL Elective 3 | 4 | |
| GE Area 6 - Ethnic Studies 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| GEOL 140 | Geology and the Environment | 3 |
| GEOL 189 | Geology Colloquium | 1 |
| GEOL Elective 3 | 3 | |
| GEOL Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 5 or 2 - Science or Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 13 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| GEOL 110A | Structural Geology and Tectonics | 4 |
| GEOL 110B | Structural Geology Field | 1 |
| GEOL 121 | Geology of California | 3 |
| GEOL 189 | Geology Colloquium | 1 |
| GEOL Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 3 - Arts or Humanities 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Total Units | 117-120 | |
Geology (Environmental Geology), BS: 2-Year Roadmap
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Units | |
| GEOL 100 | Earth Materials - Rocks and Minerals | 4 |
| GEOL Elective 3 | 3 | |
| GEOL Elective 3 | 4 | |
| Foreign Language Semester 1 2 | 4 | |
| GR American Institutions (GOVT) 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 18 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| GEOL 103 | Sedimentology/Stratigraphy | 4 |
| GEOL 111A | Field Geology | 2 |
| GEOL 111B | Field Techniques | 2 |
| GEOL Elective 3 | 4 | |
| Foreign Language Semester 2 2 | 4 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| GEOL 140 | Geology and the Environment | 3 |
| GEOL 189 | Geology Colloquium | 1 |
| GEOL Elective 3 | 3 | |
| GEOL Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 5 or 2 - Science or Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning 2 | 3 | |
| GR American Institutions (US History) 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| GEOL 110A | Structural Geology and Tectonics | 4 |
| GEOL 110B | Structural Geology Field | 1 |
| GEOL 121 | Geology of California | 3 |
| GEOL 189 | Geology Colloquium | 1 |
| GEOL Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 3 - Arts or Humanities 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Total Units | 65 | |
- 1.
Any course not completed in the first semester should be taken in the second of a later semester.
- 2.
Please see General Education/Graduation Requirement course options.
- 3.
Please see an academic advisor for elective options.