Geological Sciences: Environmental Track, B.S.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Identify, describe, and interpret earth materials, and evaluate their physical, geometric, and temporal relationships.

2. 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.

3. Recognize and utilize the laws of superposition and faunal succession in deciphering Earth history.

4. Use appropriate field and analytical tools for the purpose of data collection and analysis.

5. Critically evaluate data and interpretations, and succinctly communicate data and observations using spreadsheets, graphical and/or spatial analysis tools.

6. Access and utilize the geologic literature.

7. Communicate effectively in both oral and written formats as well as be comfortable with the language of geology.

8. Create, read, and interpret geospatial data, geologic maps, and cross-sections.

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: 63-67

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  or GSCI 302 , GSCI 431 , and GSCI 451  or GSCI 452 .

Department Writing Requirement

A portfolio of student term papers will be established. It will contain papers submitted as partial fulfillment of requirements for GSCI 210 , and 300-level and 400-level GSCI courses. If the student has passed (i.e. scored a C- or greater) at least three of these papers, the student will have successfully completed the writing requirement. This will be reviewed prior to the student’s final semester. If the student has not passed three papers they will be required to complete 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.

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 - 13 Credit Hours
    • GSCI 160 - Physical Geology  Credit(s): 3
    • GSCI 161 - Physical Geology Laboratory  Credit(s): 1
    • MATH 221 - Calculus I  Credit(s): 4
    • CHEM 116 - Chemistry I  Credit(s): 3 or CHEM 203 - Principles of Chemistry I  Credit(s): 3
    • CHEM 119 - Introductory Chemistry Lab  Credit(s): 1
    • GSCI 191 - Introduction to Geology at Geneseo  Credit(s): 1
  • Spring - 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 Credit(s): 3
    • CHEM 129 - Introduction to Laboratory Research in Chemistry  Credit(s): 1
    • WRTG 105 - Writing Seminar: (subtitle)  Credit(s): 4
• Second Year
  • Fall - 15-16 Credit Hours
    • GSCI 210 - Mineralogy  Credit(s): 3
    • CHEM 211 - Organic Chemistry I  Credit(s): 3
    • CHEM 216 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory  Credit(s): 2
    • GSCI 140 - Environmental Science  Credit(s): 3 and GSCI 141 - Environmental Science Laboratory  Credit(s): 1 or
    • GSCI 150 - The Geology of Climate Change and Energy  Credit(s): 3 and GSCI 151 - The Geology of Climate Change and Energy Laboratory  Credit(s): 1 or 
    • 200-level GSCI Elective Credit(s): 3 or GEOG 286 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems  Credit(s): 4
    • World Language (101) Credit(s): 4
  • Spring - 16 Credit Hours
    • GSCI 301 - Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology  Credit(s): 3 or GSCI 302 - Sedimentary Petrology  Credit(s): 3
    • Global Society: CGC Credit(s): 3
    • World Language (102) Credit(s): 4
    • Global Society: DPP Credit(s): 3
    • Elective Credit(s): 3
• Third Year
  • Fall - 16 Credit Hours
    • GSCI 347 - Groundwater Hydrology  Credit(s): 3
    • GSCI 451 - Stratigraphy  Credit(s): 3 or GSCI 452 - Environmental Sedimentation  Credit(s): 3
    • PHYS 113 - General Physics I  Credit(s): 3 and PHYS 114 - Physics I Lab  Credit(s): 1 or
    • PHYS 123 - Analytical Physics I  Credit(s): 3 and PHYS 114 - Physics I Lab  Credit(s): 1 or 
    • BIOL 117 - General Biology - Cells, Genetics, Evolution  Credit(s): 3 and BIOL 118 - General Biology Laboratory I  Credit(s): 1
    • Global Society: SST Credit(s): 3
    • Elective Credit(s): 3
  • Spring - 16 Credit Hours
    • GSCI 431 - Geomorphology  Credit(s): 3
    • 300 or 400 level GSCI Elective Credit(s): 3
    • PHYS 115 - General Physics II  Credit(s): 3 and PHYS 116 - Physics II Lab  Credit(s): 1 or 
    • PHYS 125 - Analytical Physics II  Credit(s): 3 and PHYS 116 - Physics II Lab  Credit(s): 1 or 
    • BIOL 119 - General Biology - Diversity, Physiology, Ecology  Credit(s): 3 and BIOL 120 - General Biology Laboratory II   Credit(s): 1
    • Global Society: CAI Credit(s): 3
    • Elective Credit(s): 3
• Fourth Year
  • Fall - 15 Credit Hours
    • GSCI 491 - Geological Sciences Capstone Seminar I  Credit(s): 1
    • 300 or 400 level GSCI Elective Credit(s): 3
    • Global Society: WCV Credit(s): 3
    • Elective Credit(s): 3
    • Elective Credit(s): 3
    • Elective Credit(s): 2
  • Spring - 13-14 Credit Hours
    • GSCI 492 - Geological Sciences Capstone Seminar II  Credit(s): 3
    • 300 or 400 level GSCI Elective Credit(s): 3
    • Elective Credit(s): 3
    • Elective Credit(s): 3
    • Elective Credit(s): 3
    • Elective Credit(s): 0-1

Total Credit Hours: 120

Note: Variation in the order of courses is possible, depending upon prerequisites. Consult course information in the bulletin or your academic advisor to customize your eight semester plan.

KEY - Participation in a Global Society (PGS)

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