Geochemistry, B.A.

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 (30-40 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

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 301 , GSCI 315 /GSCI 320 , GSCI 491  and GSCI 492 ; 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).

Sample Course Map

For students who matriculated prior to Fall 2022: please select the bulletin year in which you entered the college (matriculated) at the top right of this page.

Curriculum Map  

• First Year 
  • Fall - 16 Credit Hours
    • GSCI 160 - Physical Geology  
    • GSCI 161 - Physical Geology Laboratory  
      • Counts for Global Society: CGC and SST
    • MATH 221 - Calculus I  
    • CHEM 116 - Chemistry I  or CHEM 203 - Principles of Chemistry I  
    • CHEM 119 - Introductory Chemistry Lab  
    • WRTG 105 - Writing Seminar: (subtitle)  
    • GSCI 191 - Introduction to Geology at Geneseo  
  • Spring - 16 Credit Hours
    • GSCI 170 - Historical Geology  
    • MATH 222 - Calculus II  
    • CHEM 118 - Chemistry II  or CHEM 204 - Principles of Chemistry II  
    • CHEM 129 - Introduction to Laboratory Research in Chemistry  
    • Global Society: WCV - Credit(s): 4
• Second Year 
  • Fall - 15 Credit Hours
    • GSCI 210 - Mineralogy  
    • PHYS 113 - General Physics I  or PHYS 123 - Analytical Physics I  and PHYS 114 - Physics I Lab  
    • CHEM 211 - Organic Chemistry I  or CHEM 223 - Principles of Organic Chemistry I  
    • CHEM 216 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory  
    • Global Society: CAI - Credit(s): 3 
  • Spring - 14 Credit Hours
    • GSCI 220 - Petrology - Credit(s): 3
    • PHYS 115 - General Physics II  or PHYS 125 - Analytical Physics II  and PHYS 116 - Physics II Lab  
    • CHEM 213 - Organic Chemistry II  or CHEM 224 - Principles of Organic Chemistry II  
    • Global Society: DPP - Credit(s): 4 
• Third Year 
  • Fall - 16 Credit Hours
    • GSCI Elective - Credit(s): 3 
    • CHEM 340 - Principles of Analytical Chemistry  
    • Statistics - Credit(s): 3 
    • World Language 101 - Credit(s): 4 
    • Elective - Credit(s): 3 
  • Spring - 16 Credit Hours
    • GSCI 320 - Isotope Geology  
    • CHEM 324 - Principles of Physical Chemistry  
    • World Language 102 - Credit(s): 4 
    • Integrated & Applied Learning - Credit(s): 3
    • Elective - Credit(s): 3 
• Fourth Year 
  • Fall - 13 Credit Hours
    • GSCI Elective - Credit(s): 3 
    • GSCI 391 - Geological Sciences Capstone Seminar I Credit(s): 1
    • Electives - Credit(s): 9 
  • Spring - 14 Credit Hours 
    • GSCI Elective - Credit(s): 3 
    • GSCI 315 - Principles of Geochemistry  
    • GSCI 392 - Geological Sciences Capstone Seminar II Credit(s): 1
    • Electives - Credit(s): 7 

KEY - Participation in a Global Society (PGS)

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