Geology, Geosciences (BS)

Degree: Bachelor of Science
Major: Geosciences
Concentration: Geology
Program Code: 3472

About This Major . . .

The Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Geosciences and a concentration in Geology is designed for students who (1) desire a strong liberal arts education with emphasis on the earth sciences, (2) wish to pursue a graduate degree in geology, or (3) desire a professional or technical geoscience career.

Recent graduates are attending graduate programs at major universities or have entered the work force as geological technicians or professional geologists. Instruction takes place in a state-of-the-art science complex, which houses several instructional laboratories, a projects room, computer-applications laboratory, petrology-mineralogy laboratory, rock-storage facilities, and a sample preparation room.

Most classes have a strong field component so that students benefit from the diverse geological setting of the Grand Junction area. Equipment includes research petrographic microscopes, binocular microscopes, x-ray diffractometer, x-ray fluorescence, GPS units, local seismic network, and a magnetometer. Computer facilities include PC systems with software for communications, database management, word-processing, geographical information systems (GIS), and geostatistics.

Students engage in a capstone research project/thesis during their senior year that involves independent research and the completion of a professional report and presentation. Students develop professional skills and complete a portfolio of their work for future employers or graduate schools.

For more information on what you can do with this major, visit Career Services’ What to Do with a Major? resource.

All CMU baccalaureate graduates are expected to demonstrate proficiency in specialized knowledge/applied learning, quantitative fluency, communication fluency, critical thinking, personal and social responsibility, and information literacy. In addition to these campus-wide student learning outcomes, graduates of this major will be able to:

  1. Complete a comprehensive assessment exam that draws on current research, scholarship and/or techniques, as well as specialized geology knowledge at both the beginner and advanced levels. (Specialized Knowledge/Applied Learning)
  2. Analyze data critically, reason logically, and apply quantitative analysis methods correctly to geological data to develop appropriate conclusions. (Quantitative Fluency)
  3. Make and defend assertions about geological hypotheses in an extended well-organized document and an oral presentation. (Communication Fluency)
  4. Describe reasoned conclusions that articulate the implications and consequences for a particular decision by synthesizing geological information and geology methodologies. (Critical Thinking)
  5. Reflect on and respond to ethical and environmental challenges at local, national, and/or global levels. (Personal and Social Responsibility)
  6. Find relevant sources of geological information, evaluate information critically, and apply the information appropriately and effectively to geologic problems. (Information Literacy)

Each section below contains details about the requirements for this program. Select a header to expand the information/requirements for that particular section of the program's requirements. 

To print or save an overview of this program's information, including the program description, learning outcomes, requirements, suggested course sequencing (if applicable), and advising and graduation information, scroll to the bottom of the left-hand navigation menu and select "Print Options." This will give you the options to either "Send Page to Printer" or "Download PDF of This Page." The "Download PDF of This Page" option prepares a much more concise presentation of all program information. The PDF is also printable and may be preferable due to its brevity. 

Institutional Degree Requirements

The following institutional degree requirements apply to all CMU baccalaureate degrees. Specific programs may have different requirements that must be met in addition to institutional requirements.

  • 120 semester hours minimum.
  • Students must complete a minimum of 30 of the last 60 hours of credit at CMU, with at least 15 semester hours in major discipline courses numbered 300 or higher.
  • 40 upper-division credits (an alternative credit limit applies to the Bachelor of Applied Science degree).
  • 2.00 cumulative GPA or higher in all CMU coursework.
  • A course may only be used to fulfill one requirement for each degree/certificate.
  • No more than six semester hours of independent study courses can be used toward the degree.
  • Non-traditional credit, such as advanced placement, credit by examination, credit for prior learning, cooperative education and internships, cannot exceed 30 semester credit hours for a baccalaureate degree. A maximum of 15 of the 30 credits may be for cooperative education, internships, and practica.
  • Pre-collegiate courses (usually numbered below 100) cannot be used for graduation.
  • Capstone exit assessment/projects (e.g., Major Field Achievement Test) requirements are identified under Program-Specific Degree Requirements.
  • The Catalog Year determines which program sheet and degree requirements a student must fulfill in order to graduate. Visit with your advisor or academic department to determine which catalog year and program requirements you should follow.
  • See “Requirements for Undergraduate Degrees and Certificates” in the catalog for a complete list of graduation requirements.

Essential Learning Requirements

(31 semester hours)

See the current catalog for a list of courses that fulfill the requirements below.  If a course is an Essential Learning option and a requirement for your major, you must use it to fulfill the major requirement and make a different selection for the Essential Learning requirement.

English 1
ENGL 111English Composition I-GTCO13
ENGL 112English Composition II-GTCO23
Mathematics 1
MATH 151Calculus I-GT-MA1 23
History
Select one History course3
Humanities
Select one Humanities course3
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Select one Social and Behavioral Sciences course3
Select one Social and Behavioral Sciences course3
Fine Arts
Select one Fine Arts course3
Natural Sciences
Select one Natural Sciences course3
Select one Natural Sciences course with a lab 34
Total Semester Credit Hours31
1

Must receive a grade of "C" or better and must be complete by the time the student has 60 semester hours.

2

This is a 5 semester credit hour course. 3 credits apply to the Essential Learning Requirements and 2 credits apply to Foundation Courses.

3

 We recommend selecting one of the following sets of courses, with BIOL 105/BIOL 105L, PHYS 132/PHYS 132L, or CHEM 132/CHEM 132L as the best choices for students interested in attending graduate school: BIOL 105/BIOL 105L, PHYS 112/PHYS 112L, PHYS 132/PHYS 132L, or CHEM 132/CHEM 132L.

Other Lower Division Requirements

Wellness Requirement
KINE 100Health and Wellness1
Select one Activity course1
Essential Learning Capstone 1
ESSL 290Maverick Milestone3
ESSL 200Essential Speech1
Total Semester Credit Hours6
1

Essential Learning Capstone must be taken after completion of the Essential Learning English and Mathematics requirements, and when a student has earned between 45 and 75 hours.

Foundation Courses

(23 semester hours, must earn a grade of “C” or better in each course)

GEOL 112
112L
Principles of Historical Geology-GTSC1
and Principles of Historical Geology Laboratory-GTSC1
4
CHEM 131
131L
General Chemistry I-GTSC1
and General Chemistry Laboratory I-GTSC1
5
You must take one of the following course sequences: 14
Principles of Physical Geology-GTSC1
and Principles of Physical Geology Laboratory-GTSC1
Field-Based Introduction to Physical Geology-GTSC1
and Field-Based Introduction to Physical Geology Laboratory-GTSC1
You must take one of the following course sequences: 25
General Physics I-GTSC1
and General Physics I Laboratory-GTSC1
Fundamental Mechanics-GTSC1
and Fundamental Mechanics Laboratory-GTSC1
STAT 200Probability and Statistics-GTMA13
MATH 151Calculus I-GT-MA1 32
Total Semester Credit Hours23
1

Either GEOL 111/GEOL 111L or GEOL 113/GEOL 113L may be taken for credit, but not both.

2

 Either PHYS 111/PHYS 111L or PHYS 131/PHYS 131L may be taken for credit, but not both.

3

This is a 5 semester credit hour course. 3 credits apply to the Essential Learning Requirements and 2 credits apply to Foundation Courses.

Program Specific Degree Requirements

(48 semester hours, must earn a grade of “C” or better in each course)

Core Courses
GEOL 202Introduction to Field Studies3
GEOL 204Computer Applications in Geology3
GEOL 301
301L
Structural Geology
and Structural Geology Laboratory
4
GEOL 331
331L
Crystallography and Mineralogy
and Crystallography and Mineralogy Laboratory
4
GEOL 402
402L
Applications of Geomorphology
and Applications of Geomorphology Laboratory
4
GEOL 444
444L
Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
and Sedimentology and Stratigraphy Laboratory
4
GEOL 480Summer Field Camp6
GEOL 490Seminar3
Required Geology Courses
GEOL 340
340L
Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
and Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology Laboratory
4
GEOL 404
404L
Geophysics
and Geophysics Laboratory
4
Total Semester Credit Hours39
Restricted Electives
Select 9 semester hours of the following: 19
Introduction to Engineering Geology
Applied Geochemistry
Survey of Energy-Related Natural Resources
Survey of Mineral-Related Natural Resources
Renewable Energy
Natural Resources of the West
Paleontology
and Paleontology Laboratory
Hydrology and River Dynamics
and Hydrology and River Dynamics Laboratory
Introduction to Ground Water
and Introduction to Ground Water Laboratory
Field-Based Depositional Systems
and Field-Based Depositional Systems Laboratory
Subsurface Methods
Climate Change Science
Topics
Topics Lab
Structured Research
General Chemistry II-GTSC1
and General Chemistry Laboratory II-GTSC1
Calculus II
Computational Statistics
General Physics II-GTSC1
and General Physics II Laboratory-GTSC1 2
Electromagnetism and Optics-GTSC1
and Electromagnetism and Optics Laboratory-GTSC1 2
Total Semester Credit Hours9
1

Seven hours of Restricted and General Electives must be upper division.

2

Either PHYS 112/PHYS 112L or PHYS 132/PHYS 132L may be taken for credit, but not both.

General Electives

All college level courses appearing on your final transcript, not listed above that will bring your total semester hours to 120 hours. 12 semester hours; additional hours of upper division may be needed. Seven hours of Restricted and General Electives must be upper division.

Select electives12
Total Semester Credit Hours12
Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterSemester Credit Hours
ENGL 111 English Composition I-GTCO1 3
MATH 151 Calculus I-GT-MA1 5
Select one of the following: 4
Principles of Physical Geology-GTSC1
and Principles of Physical Geology Laboratory-GTSC1
Field-Based Introduction to Physical Geology-GTSC1
and Field-Based Introduction to Physical Geology Laboratory-GTSC1
Essential Learning - Humanities 3
 Semester Credit Hours15
Spring Semester
GEOL 112
112L
Principles of Historical Geology-GTSC1
and Principles of Historical Geology Laboratory-GTSC1
4
ENGL 112 English Composition II-GTCO2 3
Essential Learning - History 3
Essential Learning - Social and Behavioral Sciences 3
KINE 100 Health and Wellness 1
 Semester Credit Hours14
Second Year
Fall Semester
GEOL 202 Introduction to Field Studies 3
Essential Learning - Social and Behavioral Sciences 3
CHEM 131
131L
General Chemistry I-GTSC1
and General Chemistry Laboratory I-GTSC1
5
Select one of the following: 5
General Physics I-GTSC1
and General Physics I Laboratory-GTSC1
Fundamental Mechanics-GTSC1
and Fundamental Mechanics Laboratory-GTSC1
 Semester Credit Hours16
Spring Semester
GEOL 204 Computer Applications in Geology 3
Essential Learning - Natural Science with Lab 4
STAT 200 Probability and Statistics-GTMA1 3
ESSL 290 Maverick Milestone 3
ESSL 200 Essential Speech 1
 Semester Credit Hours14
Third Year
Fall Semester
Essential Learning - Natural Science 3
GEOL 301
301L
Structural Geology
and Structural Geology Laboratory
4
GEOL 331
331L
Crystallography and Mineralogy
and Crystallography and Mineralogy Laboratory
4
General Electives 3
 Semester Credit Hours14
Spring Semester
GEOL 340
340L
Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
and Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology Laboratory
4
Essential Learning - Fine Arts 3
General Electives 9
 Semester Credit Hours16
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
GEOL 402
402L
Applications of Geomorphology
and Applications of Geomorphology Laboratory
4
Restricted Electives 9
 Semester Credit Hours13
Spring Semester
GEOL 404
404L
Geophysics
and Geophysics Laboratory
4
KINA Activity 1
GEOL 444
444L
Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
and Sedimentology and Stratigraphy Laboratory
4
GEOL 490 Seminar 3
 Semester Credit Hours12
Summer Semester
GEOL 480 Summer Field Camp 6
 Semester Credit Hours6
 Total Semester Credit Hours120

Advising Process and DegreeWorks

Documentation on the pages related to this program is intended for informational purposes to help determine what courses and associated requirements are needed to earn a degree. The suggested course sequencing outlines how students could finish degree requirements. Some courses are critical to complete in specific semesters, while others may be moved around. Meeting with an academic advisor is essential in planning courses and altering the suggested course sequencing. It is ultimately the student’s responsibility to understand and fulfill the requirements for their intended degree(s).

DegreeWorks is an online degree audit tool available in MAVzone. It is the official record used by the Registrar’s Office to evaluate progress towards a degree and determine eligibility for graduation. Students are responsible for reviewing their DegreeWorks audit on a regular basis and should discuss questions or concerns with their advisor or academic department head. Discrepancies in requirements should be reported to the Registrar’s Office.

Graduation Process

Students must complete the following in the first two months of the semester prior to completing their degree requirements:

  • Review their DegreeWorks audit and create a plan that outlines how unmet requirements will be met in the final semester.
  • Meet with their advisor and modify their plan as needed. The advisor must approve the final plan.
  • Submit the “Intent to Graduate” form to the Registrar’s Office to officially declare the intended graduation date and commencement ceremony plans.
  • Register for all needed courses and complete all requirements for each degree sought.

Submission deadlines and commencement details can be found at http://www.coloradomesa.edu/registrar/graduation.html.

If a student’s petition for graduation is denied, it will be their responsibility to consult the Registrar’s Office regarding next steps.