Geological Sciences: Planetary 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 - Principles of Chemistry II  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 - 14-15 Credit Hours
    • GSCI 210 - Mineralogy Credit(s): 3
    • PHYS 123 - Analytical Physics I  Credit(s): 3
    • PHYS 114 - Physics I Lab  Credit(s): 1
    • ASTR 105 - The Solar System  Credit(s): 3 and ASTR 106 - The Solar System 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 - 17 Credit Hours
    • GSCI 301 - Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology  Credit(s): 3
    • PHYS 125 - Analytical Physics II  Credit(s): 3
    • PHYS 116 - Physics II Lab  Credit(s): 1
    • Global Society (CGC) Credit(s): 3
    • World Language (102) Credit(s): 4
    • Global Society (DPP) Credit(s): 3
• Third Year
  • Fall - 15 Credit Hours
    • GSCI 341 - Principles of Structural Geology  Credit(s): 3
    • GSCI 451 - Stratigraphy  Credit(s): 3 or GSCI 452 - Environmental Sedimentation  Credit(s): 3
    • Global Society (SST) Credit(s): 3
    • Global Society (WVC) Credit(s): 3
    • Elective Credit(s): 3
  • Spring - 15 Credit Hours
    • GSCI 431 - Geomorphology  Credit(s): 3
    • GSCI 315 - Principles of Geochemistry  Credit(s): 3 or GSCI 443 - Applied Geophysics  Credit(s): 3
    • Global Society (CAI) Credit(s): 3
    • Elective Credit(s): 3
    • Elective Credit(s): 3
• Fourth Year
  • Fall 16 Credit Hours
    • GSCI 491 - Geological Sciences Capstone Seminar I  Credit(s): 1
    • GSCI 433 - Geological Applications of Remote Sensing  Credit(s): 3 or GSCI 434 - Planetary Geology  Credit(s): 3
    • 300 or 400-level GSCI Elective Credit(s): 3
    • Elective Credit(s): 3
    • Elective Credit(s): 3
    • Elective Credit(s): 3
  • Spring - 14-15 Credit Hours
    • GSCI 492 - Geological Sciences Capstone Seminar II  Credit(s): 1
    • 300 or 400-level GSCI Elective Credit(s): 3
    • Elective Credit(s): 3
    • Elective Credit(s): 3
    • Elective Credit(s): 3
    • Elective Credit(s): 1-2

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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