Geology Major

Program Director: John Merck, Ph.D.

The Department of Geology offers three major tracks addressing key aspects of Geology - the science of Earth. In its broadest sense, geology focuses on the formation and subsequent modification of the planets, emphasizing planet Earth. Geologists study Earth's internal and surface structure and materials, history, and the chemical and physical processes acting within and on it using the principles of mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology.

Geological sciences encompass all the physical, chemical, and biological aspects of Earth. Increasingly, geologists are taking a holistic approach in the collection and interpretation of data about Earth, which means that the wider context of the geological sciences is broad and diverse. In studying Earth as a system, geologists address geology and geophysics, hydrology, oceanography and marine science, atmospheric science, planetary science, and soil science. A major in any relevant discipline can lead to a satisfying career within the geological sciences. In general, graduate training is expected for advancement to the most rewarding positions and for academic employment.

Geology offers three major tracks:

  • The Geology Professional Track is intended for students seeking to enter geosciences careers in private industry or public service, and who intend to pursue graduate degrees in geosciences. 
  • The Geology Geophysics Track is similarly intended for students seeking to enter careers in private industry or public service emphasizing the applications of physics to geosciences issues, and who intend to pursue graduate degrees in geophysics and related disciplines. 
  • The Earth and Environmental Sciences Track prepares students who do not plan, specifically, to become geologists but who plan to enter careers in fields for which geological information is foundational, including but not limited to science education, science journalism, environmental science, environmental law, and public policy.

Program Objectives

Geologists are employed by governmental, industrial, and academic organizations. They work in exploration for new mineral and energy resources, as consultants on engineering and environmental projects, as teachers and researchers in universities, and in many other challenging positions. For many, the attraction of a career in geology is the ability to divide time between work in the field, the laboratory, and the office. Although the employment outlook within geology varies with the global economic climate, the long-range outlook is good. This is because our dwindling energy, mineral, and water resources, along with increasing concerns about natural hazards and environmental issues, present new challenges for geologists.

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate mastery in the design and execution of geosciences research.
  2. Demonstrate effective communication in oral and written geosciences presentations.
  3. Demonstrate broad knowledge of subject material in the principal disciplines of geosciences and understanding of the connections between them.
  4. Demonstrate understanding of the application of geosciences knowledge in broader societal contexts.

Professional Track

Courses required for the Professional Track B.S. in Geology are listed below. Some courses require field trips for which students are expected to pay for room (if required) and board. Field camp is taken during the summer at institutions other than the University of Maryland, College Park, that offer camps approved by the department.

Course Title Credits
Required Geology Courses
GEOL100Physical Geology3
or GEOL120 Environmental Geology
GEOL110Physical Geology Laboratory1
GEOL102Historical Geology4
GEOL322Mineralogy4
GEOL341Structural Geology4
GEOL342Sedimentation and Stratigraphy4
GEOL423Optical Mineralogy4
GEOL443Petrology4
Geology Capstones
GEOL393Geology Senior Thesis I: Proposal3
GEOL394Geology Senior Thesis II: Research3
GEOL490Geology Field Camp6
Geologic Core Discipline Options 1
Select one of the following Quantitative Reasoning courses:3
Statistics for Geoscientists
Geoscientific Modeling
Observational Geophysics
Select one of the following Surface Processes courses:3-4
Geomorphology
Groundwater
Select one of the following Geophysics courses:3
Geophysics
Marine Geophysics
Seismology
Field Geophysics
Select one of the following Geochemistry courses:3-4
Low Temperature Geochemistry
High Temperature Geochemistry
GEOL463
Select one of the following Geobiology courses:3-4
Principles of Paleontology
Environmental Geochemistry
Principles of Biogeochemistry
Global Climate Change: Past and Present
Geology Elective
Select any 3-4 credit 300 – 400 level GEOL course not taken to satisfy the above requirements 13-4
Supporting Courses
Chemistry I - Fundamentals of General Chemistry
General Chemistry for Engineers
General Chemistry I Laboratory
General Chemistry Laboratory for Engineers
MATH140Calculus I4
MATH141Calculus II4
Select one of the following:4
General Physics: Mechanics and Particle Dynamics
and General Physics: Mechanics, Vibrations, Waves, Heat (Laboratory)
Introductory Physics: Mechanics
and General Physics: Mechanics, Vibrations, Waves, Heat (Laboratory)
Total Credits70-74
1

Or appropriate substitution with the approval of the department

Matriculated Geology majors are expected to take all courses on campus unless specific departmental permission is given.

Earth and Environmental Sciences Track

Courses required for the Professional Track B.S. in Earth and Environmental Sciences are listed below. Some courses require field trips for which students are expected to pay for room (if required) and board. The Geology Earth and Environmental Sciences Track leads to a B.S. degree in Geology with special emphasis on coursework that prepares the student for careers in fields other than professional geosciences but for which geological information is foundational. Such careers include but are not limited to science education, science journalism, environmental law and public policy. Background in fields connecting geology to related careers is provided by supporting options in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, Astronomy, and Education. Further coursework in Education (including student teaching) will be required in order to obtain Maryland State Teaching Certification. Students seeking professional opportunities in secondary education are urged, also, to consult with advisors in the College of Education. While this track may also prepare students for work as a geologists in government or industry or for graduate study, students seeking advanced degrees or career opportunities in geology are advised to pursue the Professional Track. 

Depending on course options selected, the Earth and Environmental Sciences Track can be completed in between 71 and 77 credits. To receive a degree in Geology, students must earn a grade of C- or better in required geology courses, and a C- average or better in supporting courses in addition to completing Gen Ed and 120 credits overall.

Course Title Credits
Geology Courses
GEOL100Physical Geology3
or GEOL120 Environmental Geology
GEOL110Physical Geology Laboratory1
Select one of the following:3
Causes and Consequences of Global Change 1
Evolution of Life and Environment on Planet Earth
Earth's Fury: Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Tsunami
Dinosaurs, Early Humans, Ancestors, and Evolution; The Fossil Record of Vanished Worlds of the Prehistoric Past
Planetary Geology
GEOL102Historical Geology4
GEOL322Mineralogy4
GEOL340Geomorphology4
GEOL341Structural Geology4
GEOL342Sedimentation and Stratigraphy4
Experiential Learning in Earth Sciences
Choose one course from the following:3-6
Experiential Learning 1
Geology Field Camp 2
Special Problems in Geology
Earth Sciences Core Disciplines
Choose one from each of the following groups.
Analytic Methods in Earth Sciences:3
Geographic Information Systems
Statistics for Geoscientists
Geoscientific Modeling
Observational Geophysics
Environmental Geosciences:3-4
Introduction to the Blue Ocean
Optical Mineralogy
Global Climate Change: Past and Present
Groundwater
Watershed and Wetland Hydrology
Ecosystem Restoration
Geophysics:3-4
Geophysics
Marine Geophysics
Engineering Geology
Seismology
Field Geophysics
Earth Materials:4
Petrology
Low Temperature Geochemistry
High Temperature Geochemistry
Geobiology:3-4
Principles of Paleontology
Biology of Extinct Animals
Vertebrate Paleobiology
Environmental Geochemistry
Principles of Biogeochemistry
Global Climate Change: Past and Present
Earth Sciences Electives6-8
Any two 3 - 4 credit 300 - 400 level GEOL course not taken to satisfy the above requirements or appropriate substitution with the approval of the department. If GEOL490 – Geologic Field Camp is taken as an Experiential Learning option, it additionally satisfies one Earth Sciences Elective requirement.
Supporting Courses
Select one of the following:3
Causes and Consequences of Global Change 1
Weather and Climate
Introductory Astrophysics - Solar System
Inquiry Approach to Teaching STEM (Step 1)
and Inquiry Teaching of STEM in Middle School
CHEM131Chemistry I - Fundamentals of General Chemistry3
or CHEM135 General Chemistry for Engineers
CHEM132General Chemistry I Laboratory1
or CHEM136 General Chemistry Laboratory for Engineers
MATH140Calculus I4
MATH141Calculus II4
Select one of the following:4
General Physics: Mechanics and Particle Dynamics
and General Physics: Mechanics, Vibrations, Waves, Heat (Laboratory)
Introductory Physics: Mechanics
and General Physics: Mechanics, Vibrations, Waves, Heat (Laboratory)
Total Credits71-79
1

AOSC123 and GEOL123 cannot both be taken for credit.

2

GEOL490 satisfies both the Experiential Learning in Earth Sciences requirement and one (of two) Earth Sciences Electives requirement.

Geophysics Track

The geophysics curriculum is designed to meet the requirements of industry, graduate school, and government. The B.S. degree requires students to complete introductory geology and physics requirements (39 credits) and upper-level requirements including depth options, context options, and breadth options (30 - 35 credits) in addition to the General Education Program requirements and the completion of at least 120 credits in total. In order to receive a degree in Geophysics, the department requires that students must have a grade of C- or better in the required geology courses.

Courses required for the B.S. in Geology are listed below. Some courses require field trips for which the students are expected to pay for room (if required) and board.

Course Title Credits
Required Introductory Physics and Geology
GEOL100Physical Geology3
or GEOL120 Environmental Geology
GEOL110Physical Geology Laboratory1
MATH140Calculus I4
MATH141Calculus II4
MATH241Calculus III4
PHYS161General Physics: Mechanics and Particle Dynamics3
or PHYS171 Introductory Physics: Mechanics
PHYS265Introduction to Scientific Programming3
PHYS272Introductory Physics: Fields3
or PHYS260 General Physics: Electricity, Magnetism and Thermodynamics
PHYS273Introductory Physics: Oscillations and Waves3
or PHYS270 General Physics: Waves, Optics, Relativity and Modern Physics
PHYS275Experimental Physics I: Mechanics and Waves2
PHYS276Experimental Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism2
Select one of the following:7
Introduction to Linear Algebra and Differential Equations
and Statistics for Geoscientists
Introduction to Linear Algebra
and Differential Equations for Scientists and Engineers
Geophysics Upper Level Requirements
GEOL393Geology Senior Thesis I: Proposal3
GEOL394Geology Senior Thesis II: Research3
GEOL446Geophysics3
Depth Requirements 1
Select three of the following:9
Observational Geophysics
Marine Geophysics
Engineering Geology
Seismology
Field Geophysics
Tectonics
Context Requirement 1
Select two of the following:6-8
Physical Meteorology
Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere and Ocean
Atmospheric Thermodynamics
Dynamics of the Atmosphere and Ocean
Computational Astrophysics
The Solar System
Astrophysics of Exoplanets
Mineralogy
Geomorphology
Structural Geology
Sedimentation and Stratigraphy
Geology of the Terrestrial Planets
Optical Mineralogy
Petrology
Groundwater
Breadth Requirement
Select two of the following:6-8
Electricity and Magnetism I
Modern Physics
Quantum Physics I
Introduction to Statistical Thermodynamics
Classical Mechanics
Electricity and Magnetism II
Recommended Courses
Select one of the following:
Chemistry I - Fundamentals of General Chemistry
and General Chemistry I Laboratory
General Chemistry for Engineers
and General Chemistry Laboratory for Engineers
Total Credits69-73
1

Or any upper level (300 or higher) Geology course with the approval of the undergraduate director not used to satisfy above requirements. Matriculated Geology majors are expected to take all courses on campus unless specific departmental permission is given.

Click here for roadmaps for graduation plans in the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences.

Additional information on developing a graduation plan can be found on the following pages:

Semesterly advising is mandatory for Geology majors in all tracks. Advising is performed by the Director of Undergraduate Studies or designees. To schedule an advising appointment, please follow the instructions at http://geol.umd.edu/undergraduate/advising/.