OHIO University Undergraduate Catalog 2024-25
Geological Sciences Major (B.A.) |
Major code BA3321
College of Arts and Sciences
Earth and Environmental Geosciences
Clippinger Laboratories 316
Athens, OH 45701
Phone: 740.593.1101
geological.sciences@ohio.edu
www.ohio.edu/cas/geology
Eung Seok Lee, Chair
leee1@ohio.edu
Greg Springer, Advising Coordinator
springeg@ohio.edu
Program Overview
Requirements for the B.A. degree are designed for students interested in applying a general understanding of the geological sciences to such fields as education, library science, technical writing or other areas where a general knowledge of earth sciences is desired.
Admissions Information
Freshman/First-Year Admission
No requirements beyond University admission requirements.
Change of Program Policy
No selective or limited admission requirements.
External Transfer Admission
No requirements beyond University admission requirements.
Opportunities Upon Graduation
A degree in geological sciences prepares graduates for a variety of career opportunities. Upon graduation, students can pursue positions with employers in the petroleum industry, state, and national government agencies, research laboratories, state highway departments, mining companies, civil engineering firms, surveying companies, consulting firms, museums, public and private K-12 schools, institutions of higher education, etc.
The core of knowledge in the B.A. program can serve as a springboard to more advanced work in geological sciences. B.A. graduates electing to conduct graduate studies in geological sciences will need to make up deficiencies in geology and other sciences to bring their background up to the level of a B.S. degree.
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Requirements
University-wide Graduation Requirements
Ohio University requires the completion of a minimum of 120 semester hours for the conferral of a bachelor’s degree. This program can be completed within that 120-hour requirement. For more information on the minimum hours requirement and other university-wide requirements, please review the Graduation Requirements – University-wide page.
Liberal Arts and Sciences Distribution Requirement
View the College and Liberal Arts and Sciences Distribution Requirements .
Geological Sciences (B.A.) Major Requirements
The major requirement for the (B.A.) degree in in Geological Sciences requires 36 hours.
Option 1:
Complete one of the following courses:
- GEOL 1010 - How The Earth Works Credit Hours: 4
- GEOL 2830 - Geology for Engineers Credit Hours: 4
Option 2:
Complete the following course, plus an additional course as a prerequisite.
- GEOL 2020 - Introductory Geology Lab Credit Hours: 1
Plus one of the following courses:
- GEOL 1200 - The Mobile Earth Credit Hours: 3
- GEOL 1300 - Geology of the National Parks Credit Hours: 3
- GEOL 1350 - Natural Disasters Credit Hours: 3
- GEOL 1400 - Dinosaurs and the Mesozoic Credit Hours: 3
- GEOL 1700 - Metal, Stone, Energy, and Society Credit Hours: 3
- GEOL 2080 - Geology of the Solar System Credit Hours: 3
- GEOL 2110 - Introductory Oceanography Credit Hours: 3
- GEOL 2150 - Environmental Geology Credit Hours: 3
- GEOL 2210 - Earth and Life History Credit Hours: 3
- GEOL 2310 - Water and Pollution Credit Hours: 3
- GEOL 2710 - Extreme Ancient Climates Credit Hours: 3
Geological Sciences Core Courses
Complete the following core course:
- GEOL 2550 - Historical Geology Credit Hours: 3
Plus one of the following courses:
- GEOL 3120 - Earth Materials and Resources Credit Hours: 3
- GEOL 3150 - Mineralogy Credit Hours: 4
Geological Sciences Elective
Complete a minimum of 26 hours of GEOL elective coursework at the 3000-4000 level (excluding GEOL 3120 and GEOL 3150):
Extradepartmental Requirements
Complete the following courses:
- CHEM 1210 - Principles of Chemistry I Credit Hours: 4
- MATH 1300 - Pre-Calculus Credit Hours: 4
Plus two of the following requirements for a total of 8 hours:
- BIOS 1700 - Biological Sciences I: Molecules and Cells Credit Hours: 3
- BIOS 1705 - Biological Sciences I Laboratory Credit Hours: 1
- BIOS 1710 - Biological Sciences II: Ecology, Evolution, Animal Body Systems Credit Hours: 3
- BIOS 1715 - Biological Sciences II Laboratory Credit Hours: 1
- CHEM 1220 - Principles of Chemistry II Credit Hours: 4
- PBIO 1140 - Foundations of Plant Biology Credit Hours: 4
- PHYS 2001 - Introduction to Physics Credit Hours: 4
- PHYS 2002 - Introduction to Physics Credit Hours: 4