Geochemistry, B.A.

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This program provides a background in Geological Sciences and Chemistry as well as related areas such as Physics and Mathematics. The synthesis of these interrelated disciplines will prepare the student for graduate-level study and a professional career in geochemistry or related fields.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Identify, describe, and interpret Earth materials, and evaluate the physical, geometric, and temporal relationships.
2. Students will demonstrate basic knowledge of fundamental concepts in Chemistry
3. Students will demonstrate the ability to make quantitative measurements utilizing the appropriate instrument and report the result with appropriate uncertainty.
4. Students will demonstrate the ability to design, carry out, and interpret the results of an experiment according to established principles of chemistry.
5. Students will demonstrate that they understand the application of chemistry in geology, including the role it plays in rock-forming processes, by making geological interpretations of geochemical data sets.
6. Critically evaluate data and interpretations, and succinctly communicate data and observations using spreadsheets, graphical and/or spatial analysis tools.
7. Access and utilize the geologic literature.
8. Communicate effectively in both oral and written formats as well as be comfortable with the language of geology.

General Education Requirements (30-46 Credits)

Prerequisite coursework may be required to satisfy certain General Education courses and will count as elective credit.

Total Credits Required to Complete Major: 73-75

Basic Requirements: (53-55 Credits)

GSCI 160 - N/Physical Geology Credit(s): 3
GSCI 161 - N/Physical Geology Laboratory Credit(s): 1
GSCI 170 - Historical Geology Credit(s): 4
GSCI 210 - Mineralogy Credit(s): 3
GSCI 220 - Petrology Credit(s): 3
GSCI 315 - Principles of Geochemistry Credit(s): 3 and/or
GSCI 320 - Isotope Geology Credit(s): 3 (6*)
GSCI 391 - Geological Sciences Capstone Seminar I Credit(s): 1
GSCI 392 - Geological Sciences Capstone Seminar II Credit(s): 1
CHEM 116 - Chemistry I Credit(s): 3 or
CHEM 203 - N/Principles of Chemistry I Credit(s): 3
CHEM 119 - N/Introductory Chemistry Lab Credit(s): 2
CHEM 118 - Chemistry II Credit(s): 3 or
CHEM 204 - Principles of Chemistry II Credit(s): 3
CHEM 211 - Organic Chemistry I Credit(s): 3 or
CHEM 223 - Principles of Organic Chemistry I Credit(s): 3
CHEM 216 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory Credit(s): 2
CHEM 213 - Organic Chemistry II Credit(s): 3 or
CHEM 224 - Principles of Organic Chemistry II Credit(s): 3
CHEM 340 - Modern Analytical Chemistry Credit(s): 3
CHEM 320 - Physical Chemistry I Credit(s): 3 or
CHEM 324 - Principles of Physical Chemistry Credit(s): 3

Electives selected from the following: (12 (9*) Credits)

GSCI 331 - Geomorphology Credit(s): 3
GSCI 335 - Paleoclimatology Credit(s): 3
GSCI 341 - Principles of Structural Geology Credit(s): 3
GSCI 347 - Groundwater Hydrology Credit(s): 3
GSCI 351 - Stratigraphy Credit(s): 3
GSCI 370 - Advanced Mineralogy and Petrology Credit(s): 3
GSCI 393 - Honors Thesis Credit(s): 3
GSCI 399 - Directed Study Credit(s): 1-3

Footnotes

*When both GSCI 315 and GSCI 320 are taken, 9 credits of GSCI electives are required.

Related Requirements: (19 Credits)

MATH 221 - R/Calculus I Credit(s): 4
MATH 222 - Calculus II Credit(s): 4
PHYS 113 - General Physics I Credit(s): 3 or
PHYS 123 - Analytical Physics I Credit(s): 3
PHYS 114 - N/Physics I Lab Credit(s): 1
PHYS 115 - N/General Physics II Credit(s): 3 or
PHYS 125 - N/Analytical Physics II Credit(s): 3
PHYS 116 - N/Physics II Lab Credit(s): 1

One of the following courses in statistics

ECON 205 - Business and Economic Statistics Credit(s): 3
GEOG 278 - R/Statistics in Geography Credit(s): 3
MATH 242 - R/Elements of Probability and Statistics Credit(s): 3
MATH 262 - R/Applied Statistics Credit(s): 3
PLSC 251 - R/Modern Political Analysis Credit(s): 3
PSYC 250 - R/Introduction to Behavioral Statistics Credit(s): 3
SOCL 211 - R/Statistics for Social Research Credit(s): 3

Minimum Competence Requirement

A grade of C- or better is required for each of the following courses: GSCI 160 , GSCI 161 , GSCI 170 , GSCI 210 , GSCI 220 , GSCI 315 /GSCI 320 , GSCI 391 and GSCI 392 ; CHEM 116 or CHEM 203 , CHEM 119 , CHEM 118 or CHEM 204 , CHEM 211 or CHEM 223 , CHEM 216 , CHEM 213 or CHEM 224 , CHEM 340 and CHEM 320 or CHEM 324 .

Department Writing Requirement

A portfolio of student writing will be established which will contain papers and other written assignments from courses in the Geological Sciences. Prior to the student’s final semester, the faculty within the department of Geological Sciences will review the portfolio. If the faculty agrees that the majority of written work is satisfactory, the student will have successfully completed the writing requirement. Should review of the papers indicate that the student’s writing skills are not acceptable, the student will be required to enroll in a course that emphasizes writing skills (this could be an elective course or a directed study).

Outline/Advising Guide

First Year

Fall (16-17 Credit Hours)

GSCI 160 - N/Physical Geology Credit(s): 3
GSCI 161 - N/Physical Geology Laboratory Credit(s): 1
MATH 221 - R/Calculus I Credit(s): 4
CHEM 116 - Chemistry I Credit(s): 3 or
CHEM 203 - N/Principles of Chemistry I Credit(s): 3
INTD 105 - Writing Seminar: (subtitle) Credit(s): 3
GSCI 191 - Introduction to Geology at Geneseo Credit(s): 1

Spring (16-17 Credit Hours)

GSCI 170 - Historical Geology Credit(s): 4
MATH 222 - Calculus II Credit(s): 4
CHEM 118 - Chemistry II Credit(s): 3 or
CHEM 204 - Principles of Chemistry II Credit(s): 3
CHEM 119 - N/Introductory Chemistry Lab Credit(s): 2
S/ Credit(s): 3

Second Year

Fall (14-15 Credit Hours)

GSCI 210 - Mineralogy Credit(s): 3
PHYS 113 - General Physics I Credit(s): 3 or
PHYS 123 - Analytical Physics I Credit(s): 3
and
PHYS 114 - N/Physics I Lab Credit(s): 1
CHEM 211 - Organic Chemistry I Credit(s): 3 or
CHEM 223 - Principles of Organic Chemistry I Credit(s): 3
CHEM 216 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory Credit(s): 2
F/ Credit(s): 3

Spring (16-17 Credit Hours)

GSCI 220 - Petrology Credit(s): 3
PHYS 115 - N/General Physics II Credit(s): 3 or
PHYS 125 - N/Analytical Physics II Credit(s): 3
and
PHYS 116 - N/Physics II Lab Credit(s): 1
CHEM 213 - Organic Chemistry II Credit(s): 3 or
CHEM 224 - Principles of Organic Chemistry II Credit(s): 3
HUMN 220 - W/H/Western Humanities I Credit(s): 4 or
HUMN 221 - W/H/Western Humanities II Credit(s): 4
Foreign Language Credit(s): 3

Third Year

Fall (15 Credit Hours)

GSCI Elective Credit(s): 3
R/Statistics Credit(s): 3
CHEM 340 - Modern Analytical Chemistry Credit(s): 3
Foreign Language Credit(s): 3
M/ Credit(s): 3

Spring (15 Credit Hours)

GSCI 320 - Isotope Geology Credit(s): 3 *
CHEM 324 - Principles of Physical Chemistry Credit(s): 3 U/ Credit(s): 3
F/ Credit(s): 3
Foreign Language Credit(s): 3

Fourth Year

Fall (16 Credit Hours)

GSCI Elective Credit(s): 3
S/ Credit(s): 3
Electives Credit(s): 9
GSCI 391 - Geological Sciences Capstone Seminar I Credit(s): 1

Spring (13 Credit Hours)

GSCI 315 - Principles of Geochemistry Credit(s): 3
GSCI Elective Credit(s): 3 *
Elective Credit(s): 3
Elective Credit(s): 3
GSCI 392 - Geological Sciences Capstone Seminar II Credit(s): 1

Total Credit Hours: 120

*Basic requirements include GSCI 315 AND/OR GSCI 320 . When both are taken, 9 credits (instead of 12) of the listed electives in GSCI are required.

Note: Where no prerequisites apply, some variation in the order or semester in which courses are taken is possible. Students should consult their academic advisors for additional information.