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Geological Sciences B.A.

D Earth & Environmental Sci
Swenson College of Science and Engineering
  • Program Type: Baccalaureate
  • Requirements for this program are current for Fall 2022
  • Required credits to graduate with this degree: 120
  • Required credits within the major: 61 to 64
  • This program requires summer terms.
  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts
Geological sciences is the scientific study of the origin, history, and structure of the Earth. The study of geology requires a broad base of knowledge in related sciences and mathematics. The BA in geological sciences provides an appropriate educational background for work in areas related to environmental studies, land use planning, and other fields requiring sensitivity to Earth systems. Honors Requirements: To attain departmental honors, students must undertake an independent research project and maintain a cumulative overall GPA of 3.00. The research can be part of a UROP, directed research, independent study, or an internship with a faculty member. Students must either make a brief oral presentation to the department summarizing their results and produce a research paper (minimum 10 pages) OR give an oral or poster presentation of their research results at a regional or national meeting (e.g. GSA, AGU, ILSG, or similar campus event).
Program Delivery
This program is available:
  • via classroom (the majority of instruction is face-to-face)
Admission Requirements
For information about University of Minnesota admission requirements, visit the Office of Admissions website.
General Requirements
  1. Students must meet all course and credit requirements of the departments and colleges or schools in which they are enrolled including an advanced writing course. Students seeking two degrees must fulfill the requirements of both degrees. However, two degrees cannot be awarded for the same major.
  2. Students must complete all requirements of the Liberal Education Program or its approved equivalent.
  3. Students must complete a minimum of 120 semester credits completed in compliance with University of Minnesota Duluth academic policies with credit limits (e.g., Satisfactory/Non-Satisfactory Grading Policy, Credit for Prior Learning, etc).
  4. At least 30 semester credits must be earned through UMD, and 15 of the last 30 credits earned immediately before graduation must be awarded by UMD.
  5. At least half of upper-division (3xxx-level or higher) credits that satisfy major requirements (major requirements includes all courses required for the major, including courses in a subplan) through UMD.
  6. If a minor is required, students must take at least three upper division credits in their minor field from UMD.
  7. For certificate programs, at least 3 upper-division credits that satisfy requirements for the certificate must be taken through UMD. If the program does not require upper division credits students must take at least one course from the certificate program from UMD.
  8. The minimum cumulative University of Minnesota (UMN) GPA required for graduation is 2.00 and includes only University of Minnesota coursework. A minimum UMN GPA of 2.00 is required in each UMD undergraduate major, minor, and certificate. No academic unit may impose a higher GPA standard to graduate.
  9. Diploma, transcripts, licensure, and certification will be withheld until all financial obligations to the University have been met.
Program Requirements
1. A minor or a second major in a different subject is required.
Learning in Community (1 cr)
Requirement will be waived for transfer students with at least 30 credits taken post high school, for UMD students who started in a UMD collegiate unit where this is not required, and upon request for first-year students with 30 PSEO credits.
UST 1000 - Learning in Community (1.0-2.0 cr)
or EHS 1000 - Into the World [GLOBAL PER] (3.0 cr)
or ES 1000 - Global Cultural Perspectives on Environmental Sustainability [GLOBAL PER] (3.0 cr)
or LING 1000 - Language and Culture in the U.S. What does it Mean to Speak American [CDIVERSITY] (3.0 cr)
or PSY 1100 - Living Your Best Life: Applying Positive Psychology [CDIVERSITY] (3.0 cr)
Geology Core (38 - 39 cr)
Introductory Earth Science (3 - 4 cr)
GEOL 1110 - Geology and Earth Systems [LE CAT, NAT SCI, SUSTAIN] (4.0 cr)
or GEOL 1610 - Oceanography [LE CAT, NAT SCI, SUSTAIN] (3.0 cr)
or GEOG 1414 - The Physical Geography [LE CAT, NAT SCI, SUSTAIN] (4.0 cr)
Core (15 cr)
ESCI 2010 - Surface Processes (4.0 cr)
GEOL 2110 - Earth History (4.0 cr)
GEOL 2120 - The Earth's Dynamic Interior (3.0 cr)
GEOL 2311 - Mineralogy (4.0 cr)
Advanced Core (14 cr)
GEOL 2312 - Petrology (4.0 cr)
GEOL 3420 - Sedimentology and Stratigraphy (4.0 cr)
GEOL 4450 - Structural Geology (5.0 cr)
Field Geology (6 cr)
GEOL 4500 - Field Geology (6.0 cr)
or GEOL 4600 - Digital capstone in applied geoscience I (3.0 cr)
GEOL 4610 - Digital capstone in applied geoscience II (3.0 cr)
Advanced Electives (6 cr)
Take 6 or more credit(s) from the following:
· ESCI 3xxx
· ESCI 4xxx
· ESCI 5xxx
· GEOL 3xxx
· GEOL 4xxx
· GEOL 5xxx
· GIS 3xxx
· GIS 4xxx
· GIS 5xxx
· LIM 5xxx
Chemistry (10 cr)
Take one of the following course sequences:
General, Organic and Biological Chemistry
CHEM 1113 - Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry I [LE CAT, NAT SCI] (5.0 cr)
CHEM 1114 - Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry II (5.0 cr)
or Chemistry I and II with labs
CHEM 1153 - General Chemistry I [LE CAT, NAT SCI] (4.0 cr)
CHEM 1154 - General Chemistry Lab I [LE CAT, NAT SCI] (1.0 cr)
CHEM 1155 - General Chemistry II (4.0 cr)
CHEM 1156 - General Chemistry Lab II (1.0 cr)
Mathematics (3-5 cr)
Take 1 or more course(s) totaling 3 or more credit(s) from the following:
· MATH 1250 - Precalculus Analysis [LE CAT2, LOGIC & QR] (4.0 cr)
· MATH 1290 - Calculus for the Natural Sciences [LE CAT2, LOGIC & QR] (5.0 cr)
· MATH 1296 - Calculus I [LE CAT, LOGIC & QR] (5.0 cr)
· STAT 2411 - Statistical Methods [LE CAT, LOGIC & QR] (3.0 cr)
Advanced Writing (3 cr)
WRIT 3150 - Advanced Writing: Science (3.0 cr)
 
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UST 1000 - Learning in Community
Credits: 1.0 -2.0 [max 2.0]
Course Equivalencies: EHS 1000/UST 1000/ ES 1000
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Facilitates the successful transition into college learning and student life at UMD. Credit will not be granted if already received for EHS 1000.
EHS 1000 - Into the World (GLOBAL PER)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: EHS 1000/UST 1000/ ES 1000
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
This course fulfills the UST 1000 requirement. Facilitates the transition into college learning and student life at UMD and the College of Education and Human Service Professions. Introduces the promise and peril of global challenges in the 21st century and relates these challenges to local communities. pre-req: 1st semester CEHSP student
ES 1000 - Global Cultural Perspectives on Environmental Sustainability (GLOBAL PER)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
This course fulfills the UST 1000 requirement. This course explores the global cultural context of sustainability while facilitating the successful transition into college learning and student life at UMD. Examine the topic of environmental sustainability through the context of global culture and affairs. Explore different cultural approaches to solving environmental issues, compare and contrast these approaches with those taken in the US. Investigate the concept of outsourcing with respect to the peoples and ecosystems that are impacted by the practice. pre-req: less than 30 credits earned
LING 1000 - Language and Culture in the U.S. What does it Mean to Speak American (CDIVERSITY)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
This course fulfills the UST 1000 requirement. Facilitates the successful transition into college learning and student life at UMD while simultaneously fulfilling other core requirements. Examines the topic of Cultural Diversity in the U.S. through the context of language and dialect in American English. Explores the impact language has on the broad spectrum of American culture, and conversely, the ways in which various American cultures and their diverse heritages have influenced the many ways language is spoken in the United States. Investigates concepts of linguistic competency, perceptions and biases toward language, power structures manifested in language, and influences of class, race, ethnicity, and heritage on spoken language. pre-req: less than 30 credits
PSY 1100 - Living Your Best Life: Applying Positive Psychology (CDIVERSITY)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
This course fulfills the UST 1000 requirement. Facilitate the successful transition into college learning and student life at UMD; applications of positive psychology across cultures and positive behavior change; the examination of diverse perspectives in positive psychology; the promotion of student well-being, community and inclusivity, and time- and stress-management techniques. pre-req: less than 30 credits
GEOL 1110 - Geology and Earth Systems (LE CAT, NAT SCI, SUSTAIN)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Earth systems science is an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the processes operating within and the interactions between the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. In this course we investigate the changing nature of the Earth; its composition, architecture, and antiquity; the internal and external processes that shape it through time; cycles of energy and matter; the development of life and impact of human activity; and both local environmental issues and global change.
GEOL 1610 - Oceanography (LE CAT, NAT SCI, SUSTAIN)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
Origin and history of ocean basins, sea floor morphology, chemistry of sea water, currents, waves, tides, life in the sea, primary productivity, nutrient dynamics, human impact. prereq: Credit will not be granted if already received for 2610.
GEOG 1414 - The Physical Geography (LE CAT, NAT SCI, SUSTAIN)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Periodic Fall, Spring & Summer
The environment is highly dynamic and is continually modified by human and environmental processes. This course examines these processes to better understand how the Earth's landscapes were formed and how they are currently being transformed. Specifically, students will understand the fundamental processes that govern the physical environment including Earth-sun relations, water resources, landforms, weather and climate, natural vegetation, and soils.
ESCI 2010 - Surface Processes
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies: ESCI 2010/EES 2010
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
Study of Earth surface processes emphasizing the origin and evolution of the earth's response of the physical environment to anthropogenic perturbations, climate change, and tectonic events; and application of physical, chemical, and mathematical principles to the study and interpretation of the environment. Surface processes will be explored through field and lab exercises designed to give the student hands-on experience in environmental characterization and monitoring. pre-req: GEOL 1110 or 1610 or GEOG 1414, MATH 1250 or 1290 or 1296, CHEM 1153 or 1173 or instructor consent
GEOL 2110 - Earth History
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Spring
What is it that makes Earth habitable? What makes earth?s climate stable over geologic time? In this class, we will examine energy sources to earth?s surface and the processes that change them over geologic time. We will do this within a framework of mass balance ? comparing inputs to outputs at varying scales, investigating the evolution of climate, life and tectonics through time. Our goal is to identify, investigate, characterize, and assess the principal processes that shape earth?s surface environment from 4.54 billion years ago to present. To accomplish this aim, we will learn how geoscientists read Earth?s history, and what tools they use to do so. prereq: 1110 or 1130 or 1610 or Ast 1040 or Geog 1414 or instructor consent
GEOL 2120 - The Earth's Dynamic Interior
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Spring
Treatment of the origin, structure and internal composition of the Earth, synthesizing geological, chemical and physical knowledge bearing on the Earth's inaccessible interior. Emphasis is placed on dynamic processes at all depths in the Earth. prereq: 1110 or 1130 or 2110 or 1610 or Geog 1414
GEOL 2311 - Mineralogy
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies: Geol 2300/2311
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
Systematic study of minerals and their relationship to rocks. Emphasis will be placed on introductory crystal chemistry, crystallography and physical properties; optical mineralogy, and identification of minerals in hand specimen, thin section, and by x-ray diffraction. (Course fee assessed.) prereq: GEOL 1110 or 2110 and CHEM 1103 or 1113 or 1153 or 1173 or instructor consent
GEOL 2312 - Petrology
Credits: 4.0 [max 5.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Spring
Petrology of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, including their occurrence, petrogenesis and tectonic setting. Emphasis on the relationships between mineral assemblages, rock textures, geochemistry, origins, and rock-forming processes. prereq: 2311
GEOL 3420 - Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
Introduction to the concepts, methods, and application of sedimentology and stratigraphy, including the description and interpretation of sediments and sedimentary rocks, their provenance, stratal packaging, and tectonostratigraphic setting. (Course fee assessed.) pre-req: GEOL 1110 or 1610 or GEOG 1414 or instructor consent
GEOL 4450 - Structural Geology
Credits: 5.0 [max 5.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
Introduction to brittle and ductile deformation, including joints, faults, shear zones, and folds; deformation mechanisms; elementary stress and strain theory. Labs include geometric, structural, and kinematic analysis, and a group project. Course fee assessed. prereq: 2312 or instructor consent; credit will not be granted if already received for 3520
GEOL 4500 - Field Geology
Credits: 6.0 [max 6.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Summer
Geological mapping of sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic terranes and of Quaternary deposits and landforms; topographic maps and aerial photographs, including preparation of geologic maps and cross sections, and map unit descriptions. prereq: 4450, department consent; no grad credit
GEOL 4600 - Digital capstone in applied geoscience I
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Summer Even Year
This project-based geoscience capstone course uses remove and digital data to develop skills used to solve applied geoscience problems including conducting geologic site assessment, mapping bedrock and Quaternary deposits, developing geologic cross-sections, and synthesizing observations to interpret geologic histories. pre-req: GEOL 4450 and GEOL 3420 or 2110, no grad credit
GEOL 4610 - Digital capstone in applied geoscience II
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Summer Odd Year
This project-based geoscience capstone course uses remote and digital data to develop skills used to solve applied geoscience problems including conducting geologic site assessments, mapping Quaternary deposits, developing hazard maps, and synthesizing observations to interpret geologic histories. The course covers introductory level GIS and remote sensing through geologic applications. pre-req: GEOL 3420 or 2110 and GEOL 3210 or ESCI 2010, no grad credit
CHEM 1113 - Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry I (LE CAT, NAT SCI)
Credits: 5.0 [max 5.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
Chemical principles and their applications: atomic and molecular structure, solutions, acids, bases, salts, equilibria. prereq: ACT of 21 or higher or MATH 1005; for students terminating study of chem with no more than 10 cr; credit will not be granted if already received for 1151, 1153/1154, 1161, 1173/74 or 2172
CHEM 1114 - Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry II
Credits: 5.0 [max 5.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Spring Odd Year
Chemical principles and their applications: physical and chemical properties of organic compounds, organic chemistry of living systems; carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, enzymes, nucleic acids, and metabolic pathways. prereq: 1113
CHEM 1153 - General Chemistry I (LE CAT, NAT SCI)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies: CHEM 1173/CHEM 1153/CHEM 1161
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Fundamental principles of chemistry exemplified by study of elements, compounds, and their reactions. Covers fundamental concepts of the atom, molecule, stoichiometry, chemical reactions, thermochemistry, gas laws, atomic structure, periodic table, chemical bonding, and other selected topics. The companion laboratory, CHEM 1154, should be taken concurrently. The combination of CHEM 1153 and CHEM 1154 meets the lab component of NAT SCI, LE CAT 4. prereq: One year high school chem, Math ACT 24 or higher or a grade of least C- in Math 1005, Credit will not be granted if already received for 1151 or 1161 or 1173. Fall semester, SCSE majors only.
CHEM 1154 - General Chemistry Lab I (LE CAT, NAT SCI)
Credits: 1.0 [max 1.0]
Course Equivalencies: CHEM 1174/CHEM 1154
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Basic laboratory skills while investigating the fundamental principles of chemistry. Covers fundamental concepts of the atom and molecule, stoichiometry, acid-base reactions, oxidation-reduction reactions, thermochemistry, characteristic properties of anions, gas laws and spectrophotometry. This laboratory accompanies lecture CHEM 1153. The combination of CHEM 1153 and CHEM 1154 meets liberal education category 4 requirements. prereq: Previous or concurrent enrollment in CHEM 1153 or 1173; credit will not be granted if already received for CHEM 1151, 1161 or 1174.
CHEM 1155 - General Chemistry II
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies: CHEM 1175/CHEM 1155/CHEM 1162
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Fundamental principles of chemistry exemplified by study of elements, compounds, and their reactions. Covers intermolecular forces, properties of liquids, solids and solution, chemical kinetics, chemical equilibrium, acids and bases, solubility, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, nuclear chemistry, and other selected topics. Solid knowledge of college algebra and General Chemistry I is required. The companion laboratory course CHEM 1156 should be taken concurrently. prereq: 1151 or 1153 or 1161 or 1173; credit will not be granted if already received for 1152, 1162 or 1175.
CHEM 1156 - General Chemistry Lab II
Credits: 1.0 [max 1.0]
Course Equivalencies: CHEM 1176/CHEM 1156
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Fundamental principles of chemistry exemplified by laboratory study of elements, compounds, and their reactions. Covers titration, intermolecular forces, colligative properties, kinetics, chemical equilibria, and qualitative analysis. This laboratory accompanies lecture CHEM 1155. prereq: 1151 or 1161 or 1154 or 1174, concurrent or previous enrollment in CHEM 1155; credit will not be granted if already received for Chem 1152, 1162 or 1176.
MATH 1250 - Precalculus Analysis (LE CAT2, LOGIC & QR)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
This course introduces the concepts of analytical geometry, relations, functions, and graphs. It includes exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions as well as conic sections, sequences and series, and systems of linear equations. prereq: Math ACT 24 or higher or a grade of at least C- in Math 1005 or department consent
MATH 1290 - Calculus for the Natural Sciences (LE CAT2, LOGIC & QR)
Credits: 5.0 [max 5.0]
Course Equivalencies: Math1290/1296/1596
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Differential and integral calculus needed for modeling in earth and life sciences. Computational software. Not intended for students in mathematics, engineering, or physical sciences. prereq: Math ACT 27 or higher or a grade of at least C- in Math 1250 or department consent
MATH 1296 - Calculus I (LE CAT, LOGIC & QR)
Credits: 5.0 [max 5.0]
Course Equivalencies: Math1290/1296/1596
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
First part of a standard introduction to calculus of functions of a single variable. Limits, continuity, derivatives, integrals, and their applications. prereq: Math ACT 27 or higher or a grade of at least C- in Math 1250 or department consent
STAT 2411 - Statistical Methods (LE CAT, LOGIC & QR)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Graphical and numerical descriptions of data, elementary probability, sampling distributions, estimations, confidence intervals, one-sample and two-sample t-test. prereq: Math ACT 24 or higher or a grade of at least C- in Math 1005 or higher or department approval
WRIT 3150 - Advanced Writing: Science
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Study of writing for those invested in the disciplines of mathematics and life and physical sciences. Exploration of academic and professional rhetorical situations. Practice with research methods, document design, editing, effective collaboration, and ethical issues in the production of documents in multiple genres for multiple audiences. prereq: 1) WRIT 1120 or MNTC or AA completed 2) minimum 60 credits earned