Geological Sciences, B.A.

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Program Learning Outcomes

Identify, describe, and interpret Earth materials, and evaluate the physical, geometric, and temporal relationships.
Recognize and interpret the origin and evolution of erosional or constructional landscapes (e.g., fluvial, glacial, arid, coastal, volcanic, deformational) within the context of modern tectonics and climatic concepts.
Recognize and utilize the laws of superposition and faunal succession in deciphering Earth history.
Use appropriate field and analytical tools for the purpose of data collection and analysis.
Critically evaluate data and interpretations, and succinctly communicate data and observations using spreadsheets, graphical and/or spatial analysis tools.
Access and utilize the geologic literature.
Communicate effectively in both oral and written formats as well as be comfortable with the language of geology.
Create, read, and interpret topographic maps, geologic maps, and cross-sections.

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: 67-70

Basic Requirements: (37 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 331 - Geomorphology Credit(s): 3
GSCI 341 - Principles of Structural Geology Credit(s): 3
GSCI 351 - Stratigraphy Credit(s): 3
GSCI 361 - Invertebrate Paleontology Credit(s): 3
GSCI 391 - Geological Sciences Capstone Seminar I Credit(s): 1
GSCI 392 - Geological Sciences Capstone Seminar II Credit(s): 1
300-level GSCI Electives* Credit(s): 9

Related Requirements: 21-24 credits

CHEM 116 - Chemistry I Credit(s): 3
CHEM 118 - Chemistry II Credit(s): 3
CHEM 119 - N/Introductory Chemistry Lab Credit(s): 2
or
CHEM 203 - N/Principles of Chemistry I Credit(s): 3
CHEM 204 - Principles of Chemistry II Credit(s): 3
CHEM 119 - N/Introductory Chemistry Lab
Credit(s): 2
PHYS 113 - General Physics I Credit(s): 3
PHYS 114 - N/Physics I Lab Credit(s): 1
PHYS 115 - N/General Physics II Credit(s): 3
PHYS 116 - N/Physics II Lab Credit(s): 1
or
PHYS 123 - Analytical Physics I Credit(s): 3
PHYS 114 - N/Physics I Lab
Credit(s): 1
PHYS 125 - N/Analytical Physics II Credit(s): 3
PHYS 116 - N/Physics II Lab
Credit(s): 1
or
BIOL 116 - N/General Biology Laboratory Credit(s): 2
BIOL 117 - General Biology: Cells, Genetics, Evolution Credit(s): 3
BIOL 119 - N/General Biology: Diversity, Physiology, Ecology Credit(s): 3
(or, with Department approval, electives in another natural science or mathematics)**
MATH 221 - R/Calculus I Credit(s): 4
MATH 222 - Calculus II Credit(s): 4 (strongly recommended, OR one of the following statistics courses ECON 205 , GEOG 278 , MATH 242 , MATH 262 , PLSC 251 , PSYC 250 , SOCL 211 ,)

Footnotes

*Three credits of GSCI 393 or GSCI 399 can substitute for one 300-level elective class. Adolescence Certification majors can substitute GSCI 200 for a 300-level elective.

**Students seeking Certification in Adolescence Education (7-12): Earth Science and General Education may satisfy this requirement with approved classes in meteorology and astronomy

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 331 , GSCI 341 , GSCI 351 , GSCI 361 , and GSCI 391 .

Department Writing Requirement

A portfolio of student term papers will be established. It will contain papers submitted as partial fulfillment of requirements in the following courses: GSCI 220 , GSCI 341 , GSCI 351 , GSCI 361 (required courses) or GSCI 310 , GSCI 332 , GSCI 335 , GSCI 343 , GSCI 345 , GSCI 347 (electives). Prior to the student’s final semester, the Department will, as a group, review at least three papers in the portfolio. If the faculty agree the 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, she, he, or they will be required to enroll in a course that emphasizes writing skills. [It could be a regularly scheduled course or a directed study course.]

For further information, please contact your advisor or the Department Chair.

Outline/Advising Guide

For Students who Matriculated prior to Fall 2022:

First Year

Fall (15-16 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
GSCI 191 - Introduction to Geology at Geneseo Credit(s): 1
F/ Credit(s): 3 or
INTD 105 - Writing Seminar: (subtitle) Credit(s): 3

Spring (15-16 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 **
INTD 105 - Writing Seminar: (subtitle) Credit(s): 3 or
F/ Credit(s): 3

Second Year

Fall (14 Credit Hours)

GSCI 210 - Mineralogy Credit(s): 3
PHYS 113 - General Physics I Credit(s): 3
PHYS 114 - N/Physics I Lab Credit(s): 1
or
PHYS 123 - Analytical Physics I Credit(s): 3
PHYS 114 - N/Physics I Lab
Credit(s): 1
or
BIOL 117 - General Biology: Cells, Genetics, Evolution Credit(s): 3
BIOL 116 - N/General Biology Laboratory Credit(s): 2 *
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

Spring (16 Credit Hours)

GSCI 220 - Petrology Credit(s): 3
PHYS 115 - N/General Physics II Credit(s): 3
PHYS 116 - N/Physics II Lab Credit(s): 1
or
PHYS 125 - N/Analytical Physics II Credit(s): 3
PHYS 116 - N/Physics II Lab
Credit(s): 1
or
BIOL 119 - N/General Biology: Diversity, Physiology, Ecology Credit(s): 3
F/ Credit(s): 3
Foreign Language Credit(s): 3
S/ Credit(s): 3

Third Year

Fall (15 Credit Hours)

GSCI 341 - Principles of Structural Geology Credit(s): 3
GSCI 361 - Invertebrate Paleontology Credit(s): 3 or
Elective Credit(s): 3
M/ Credit(s): 3
U/ Credit(s): 3
Foreign Language Credit(s): 3

Spring (15 Credit Hours)

GSCI 331 - Geomorphology Credit(s): 3
GSCI 351 - Stratigraphy Credit(s): 3 or
Elective Credit(s): 3
BIOL 119 - N/General Biology: Diversity, Physiology, Ecology Credit(s): 3
S/ Credit(s): 3
Elective Credit(s): 3

Fourth Year

Fall (15 Credit Hours)

GSCI 391 - Geological Sciences Capstone Seminar I Credit(s): 1
GSCI Elective Credit(s): 3
GSCI Elective Credit(s): 3
Elective Credit(s): 3
Elective Credit(s): 3
Elective Credit(s): 2

Spring (15 Credit Hours)

GSCI 392 - Geological Sciences Capstone Seminar II Credit(s): 1
GSCI Elective Credit(s): 3
Elective Credit(s): 3
Elective Credit(s): 3
Elective Credit(s): 3
Elective Credit(s): 2

Total Credit Hours: 120

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.
*BIOL 116 can be taken in conjunction with BIOL 117 or BIOL 119 .
**CHEM 119 can be taken in conjunction with CHEM 116 or CHEM 203 or CHEM 118 or CHEM 204