Undergraduate Catalog

Geological Sciences

Professors Barton (Chair), Gregor, Ritzi, Wolfe (emeritus)
Associate Professors Agrawal, Carney, Cheng, Dominic, Hauser, Hunt, Slattery, Tebbens, Watts
Assistant Professor Ciampaglio(Lake Campus)

The Department of Geological Sciences offers programs leading to the Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees in geological sciences. Both programs are designed to include geology and related sciences and to prepare students for graduate study or professional employment. Professional geologists are employed in protecting and enhancing natural resources (environment, surface, and ground waters), as well as in exploring for new resources (oil, gas, and minerals). The Bachelor of Science program is more highly structured and through the various options offered is intended to prepare students for specific professional or technical careers. The Bachelor of Arts program is intended to be more flexible and to permit students with either broad or specialized interests to fulfill their program needs. The Bachelor of Arts program readily permits interdisciplinary programs such as a dual major in an unrelated field. A minor is also available.

Since personal objectives, interests, and aptitudes vary considerably with each individual, the department offers a broad spectrum of educational options within a sound academic framework. Students majoring in geological sciences have considerable choice in the basic program, options, and elective courses. Students should identify these choices as early as possible because course sequencing, particularly in Bachelor of Science options, is a critical factor. For this reason, all students are strongly urged to consult their advisor to develop their individual programs.

Geological Sciences Honors Program

Candidates for the B.A. or B.S. degree in geological sciences who have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better may apply at the end of their junior year for admission to the departmental honors program. Requirements for graduation with honors in geological sciences are a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better and satisfactory completion of a senior thesis under the guidance of a faculty member. GL 496 (Senior Thesis Research) requires a total of six to nine credits. Students may choose the topic from any branch of geological sciences; current course listings in this catalog may be taken as a rough indication of the range available.

Application forms for the honors program are available in the department office and require the following:

A summary proposal of the senior thesis topic
Expected date of graduation (which must be at least three full quarters, not including summer quarter, after the date of the application)
The endorsement of the student's departmental advisor and that of the senior thesis advisor, if not the same

Electives and Requirements

Supporting electives are courses from the College of Engineering and Computer Science and the College of Science and Mathematics (excluding Psychology) that are not normal preparation or prerequisites for required courses and are not primarily designed for General Education. Up to eight credit hours of geological sciences courses may be used to satisfy this requirement. Any geological sciences course that is jointly listed with another department must be taken as a geological sciences course in order to qualify as a supporting elective. In addition to courses that satisfy the above criteria, up to eight credit hours from the following courses may be used as supporting electives: ATH 242, 351; GEO 361, 362, 365, 430, 432, 447, 463; PHY 106/116. Students should examine prerequisites before selecting any of these courses. GL 434 (Field Geology) is required for all degree options. This five-week course is held in the Smoky Mountains during the summer quarter; students reside at Maryville College in Tennessee. The department offers some courses that may be taken more than once (e.g., GL 399 [Special Problems]). These courses may have variable titles. A student may count multiple sections of such a course toward satisfying the geology elective/supporting elective requirement. However, a specific course may be applied toward this requirement only once.

Students who have taken the General Education geology sequence (100 level) are not required to take GL 251, 253, and 255. However, they are required to take GL 252, 254, and 256. Minor modifications in departmental programs will be made from time to time. Students should confer with their advisors periodically during the academic year, preferably once each quarter before registration.

Degree Requirements-Geological Sciences/General Geology Option

Bachelor of Science Degree

Bachelor of Science degree curriculum is designed to prepare the graduate for a technical career or for graduate study in geological sciences. The course requirements and recommended course sequences follow.

General Education	40

Required Substitutions:
Area I: MTH 229, 230 (counted in related course requirements)
Area V: GL 251/252, 253/254, 255/256 (counted in departmental requirements)
Area VI: Choose one: EH 205, PSY 110, SM 205
Departmental Requirements	78

GL 251/252, 253/254, 255/256	13.5
GL 381, 382, 383, 384	14.5
GL 485, 486, 488	13.5
GL 428 (three quarters, 1.5 credits), 434	10.5
Geological science electives	26
Related Course Requirements	70

CHM 121,122, 123	15
CEG 220 or EGR 153 or CS 141 or CS 214	4
MTH 229, 230	10
PHY 240/200, 242/202, 244/204	16
STT 264 or 360	4
One course from MTH 231, STT 265, or STT 361	4-5
Supporting electives	16-17
Unrestricted Electives	13

Total	201

Bachelor of Arts Degree
The Bachelor of Arts curriculum is designed for students who desire scientific training, especially through interdisciplinary programs. Because of its broad and flexible approach, students who elect to follow a Bachelor of Arts program should have specific educational objectives that can be reasonably attained through this program.

General Education	44

Required Substitutions:
Area V: GL 251/252, 253/254, 255/256 (counted in departmental requirements)
Area VI: Choose one: EH 205, PSY 110, SM 205
Departmental Requirements	61

GL 251/252, 253/254, 255/256	13.5
GL 381, 428 (three quarters, 1.5 credits), 434, 485, 486, 488	28.5
Geological science electives	19
Related Course Requirements	47-50

BIO 111, 112, 115 or PHY 111, 112, 113 or CHM 121,122, 123	12-15
Supporting electives	25
Mathematics and statistics (MTH 128 or higher)	10
Electives outside colleges of Science and Mathematics and Engineering and Computer Science	27

Unrestricted Electives	10

Total	189

Degree Requirements-Geological Sciences/Environmental Geosciences Option

Bachelor of Science Degree
The environmental geosciences option prepares the graduate for a technical career investigating, remediating, or managing environmental resources, or for graduate study in these areas.

General Education	40

Required Substitutions:
Area I: Math 229, 230 (counted in related course requirements)
Area V: GL 251/252, 253/254, 255/256 (counted in departmental requirements)
Area VI: Choose one: EH 205, PSY 110, SM 205
Departmental Requirements	84

GL 251/252, 253/254, 255/256	13.5
GL 381, 382, 383, 384	14.5
GL 485, 486, 488	13.5
GL 422, 428 (three quarters, 1.5 credits), 434, 450	19.5
Choose 23 hours from: GL 309, 431, 444, 454, 455, 461, 463, 470, 499	23
Related Course Requirements	69

CHM 121,122, 123	15
CHM 302	4
MTH 229, 230	10
PHY 240/200, 242/202, 244/204	16
STT 264, 265 or 360, 361	8
CEG 220 or EGR 153 or CS 141 or CS 214	4
Supporting electives	12
Unrestricted Electives	10

Total	203

Bachelor of Arts Degree
The environmental geosciences option prepares the graduate for a technical career investigating, remediating, or managing environmental resources. Its broad and flexible approach allows students to combine scientific training with other fields such as business and management, public policy, or communication.

General Education	44

Required Substitutions:
Area V: GL 251/252, 253/254, 255/256
(counted in departmental requirements)
Area VI: Choose one: EH 205, PSY 110, SM 205
Departmental Requirements	61

GL 251/252, 253/254, 255/256	13.5
GL 201, 309, 381, 428 (three quarters, 1.5 credits), 434, 485, 486, 488	36.5
Choose 11 hours among: GL 431, 444, 450, 454, 455, 461, 463, 470, 499	11
Related Course Requirements	47-50

BIO 111, 112, 115 or PHY 111, 112, 113 or CHM 121,122, 123	12-15
Supporting electives	25
Mathematics and statistics (MTH 128 or higher)	10
Electives outside colleges of Science and Mathematics and Engineering and Computer Science	27

Unrestricted Electives	10

Total	192

Degree Requirements-Geological Sciences/Geophysics Option

Bachelor of Science Degree
The Department of Geological Sciences, in cooperation with the Department of Physics, offers a Bachelor of Science degree in geological sciences with a geophysics option. This program prepares students to begin a career in this field or to pursue graduate study in geophysics.

General Education	40

Required Substitutions:
Area I: MTH 229, 230 (counted in related course requirements)
Area V: GL 251/252, 253/254, 255/256 (counted in departmental requirements)
Area VI: Choose one: EH 205, PSY 110, SM 205
Departmental Requirements	90

GL 251/252, 253/254, 255/256	13.5
GL 381, 382, 383, 384	14.5
GL 428 (three quarters, 1.5 credits), 434, 485, 488	19.5
GL 422, 423, 426, 463	14
Geological sciences or physics electives	28.5
Related Course Requirements	64

CHM 121, 122, 123	15
PHY 240/200, 242/202, 244/204, 260	20
MTH 229, 230, 231, 232, 233	25
CEG 220 or EGR 153 or CS 141 or CS 142	4
Unrestricted Electives	11

Total	205

The recommended sequence is as follows:
Freshman Year
CHM 121, 122, 123; ENG 101, 102; GL 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256; MTH 229, 230, 231
Sophomore Year
GL 381, 382, 383, 384; MTH 232, 233; PHY 240/200, 242/202, 244/204; General Education courses
Junior Year
GL 485, 488, 434; PHY 260; CEG 220
Senior Year
GL 422, 423, 424, 426, 463; geological sciences electives; physics or mathematics electives; General Education courses

Geological Sciences Education

Students who wish to teach earth sciences in Ohio public high schools can pursue the Bachelor of Arts degree in geological sciences. Upon completion of this undergraduate degree program in the College of Science and Mathematics, students then must complete the Professional Educators Program (PEP) Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree through Wright State's College of Education and Human Services. Graduates of the B.A. or B.S. in geological sciences and the M.Ed. Professional Educators Program are eligible to seek licensure from the Ohio Department of Education in Earth and Space Sciences, Earth Sciences/Chemistry or Life Sciences/Earth Sciences, depending on the content of the undergraduate curriculum.

Degree Requirements-Geological Sciences Education

Bachelor of Arts Degree (Earth and Space Sciences)
The Adolescent to Young Adult Earth and Space Sciences Licensure Program is based on an undergraduate Bachelor of Arts degree in geological sciences.

General Education	40

Required Substitutions:
Area I: MTH 228 (counted in departmental requirements)
Area V: GL 251/252, 253/254, 255/256 (counted in departmental requirements)
Area VI: Choose one: EH 205, PSY 110, SM 205
Departmental Requirements	60

GL 251/252, 253/254, 255/256	13.5
GL 201, 309, 381, 410, 428 (three quarters 1.5 credits), 434, 485, 486, and 488	40.5
Related Course Requirements	82

BIO 111, 112, 115	12
CHM 121,122, 123	15
MTH 228 and STT 264	9
PHY 101/111, 102/112, 103/113, 106/116	19
Electives outside the colleges of Science and Mathematics and Engineering and Computer Science; must include GEO 430 or 331, ED 221, 223, 301, 303, and EDS 333	27
Unrestricted Electives	10

Total	192

Bachelor of Arts Degree (Earth Sciences/ Chemistry)
The Adolescent to Young Adult Earth Sciences/Chemistry Licensure Program is based on an undergraduate Bachelor of Arts degree in geological sciences.

General Education	40

Required Substitutions:
Area I: MTH 229, 230 (counted in related course requirements)
Area V: GL 251/252, 253/254, 255/256 (counted in departmental requirements)
Area VI: Choose one: EH 205, PSY 110, SM 205
Departmental Requirements	60

GL 251/252, 253/254, 255/256	13.5
GL 201, 309, 381, 410, 428 (three quarters, 1.5 credits), 434, 485, 486, and 488	40.5
Geological sciences electives	6
Related Course Requirements	104

BIO 112	4
CHM 121,122, 123	15
CHM 211/215, 212/216, 213/217, 312/314, 451	28.5
MTH 229, 230, 231	15
PHY 106/116, 240/200, 242/202, 244/204	20
Electives outside the colleges of Science and Mathematics and Engineering and Computer Science; must include GEO 430 or 431, ED 221, 223, 301, 303, and EDS 333	27
Total	209.5

Bachelor of Arts Degree (Life Sciences/ Earth Sciences)
The Adolescent to Young Adult Life Sciences/ Earth Sciences Licensure Program is based on an undergraduate Bachelor of Arts degree in geological sciences.

General Education	40

Required Substitutions:
Area I: MTH 228 (counted in departmental requirements)
Area V: GL 251/252, 253/254, 255/256 (counted in departmental requirements)
Area VI: Choose one: EH 205, PSY 110, SM 205
Departmental Requirements	60

GL 251/252, 253/254, 255/256	13.5
GL 201, 309, 381, 410, 428 (three quarters, 1.5 credits), 434, 485, 486, and 488 (Oceanography)	40.5
Geological sciences electives	6
Related Course Requirements	104

BIO 111, 112, 115, 210, 211, 212, 252, 278, 279, 426*, 492	44
*May substitute BIO 211 or BIO 302 or BIO 421
CHM 121,122, 123	15
MTH 228 and STT 264	9
PHY 106/116, 111/101	9
Electives outside the colleges of Science and Mathematics and Engineering and Computer Science; must include GEO 430 or 331, ED 221, 223, 301, 303, and EDS 333	27
Total	204

Minor Program

Students majoring in another department may earn a minor in geological sciences. A minor in geological sciences can improve a student's credentials for employment or for acceptance into graduate school. The minor requires a minimum of 34.5 credit hours. At least 10 of the credit hours used toward the minor may not be geology courses required by the student's degree program. A GPA of 2.0 must be attained in the minor courses. A minor will be completed when the following requirements are satisfied.

Minor Requirements-Geological Sciences

Departmental Requirements	34.5

GL 251/252, 253/254, 255/256 or GL 150, 106, 107, 252, 254, 256	13.5
A minimum of 8.5 credit hours selected from
GL 381, 383, 384, 485, 486, 488, 434,	8.5
428 (0.5 credit hour)	0.5
Elective Courses	12

A minimum of 12 credit hours of geological sciences electives is required. In selecting these courses, the following restrictions apply: No courses numbered below 200 are acceptable. No more than four credit hours of courses numbered below 300 are acceptable. No more than one credit hour of GL 428 (in addition to the 0.5 credit hour required) is acceptable. No more than three credit hours of field-oriented courses (excluding GL 434) are acceptable.
Total	34.5

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