Admission Requirements
Graduation Requirements
- Complete the General University Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees.
- Complete the General Education Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees.
- Students who audit a Geology (GEOL) course or who are unable to earn a minimum grade of C may repeat the course. All prerequisites for GEOL courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C.
- Complete the following major requirements with a minimum grade of C:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Support Courses | ||
| CHEM A105 & A105L | General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory | 4 |
| CHEM A106 & A106L | General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Laboratory | 4 |
| MATH A251 | Calculus I 1 | 4-6 |
| or MATH A251F | F.A.T. Calculus I | |
| PHYS A123 & A123L | College Physics I and College Physics I Laboratory | 4 |
| PHYS A124 & A124L | College Physics II and College Physics II Laboratory | 4 |
| Core Courses | ||
| GEOL A121 | Physical Geology for Science and Engineering Majors | 4 |
| or GEOL A111 & A111L | Planet Earth and Planet Earth Laboratory | |
| or GEOL A115 & A115L | Dangerous Earth and Dangerous Earth Laboratory | |
| GEOL A221 | Journey Through Time | 4 |
| GEOL A225 | Earth Surface Processes | 3 |
| GEOL A310 | Professional Practices in Geology | 3 |
| GEOL A315 | Geological Data Visualization and Analysis | 3 |
| GEOL A321 | Mineralogy | 4 |
| GEOL A322 | Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology | 4 |
| GEOL A331 | Sedimentology and Stratigraphy | 4 |
| GEOL A335 | Structural Geology | 4 |
| GEOL A345 | Hydrogeology | 3 |
| GEOL A461 | Geochemistry | 3 |
| GEOL A476 | Applied Geophysics | 3 |
| Complete 6 credits from the following: | 6 | |
| Geologic Field Methods | ||
Geology field camp 2 | ||
| Electives | ||
| Complete 12 credits from the following: | 12 | |
| Volcanology | ||
| Earthquakes and Seismic Hazards | ||
| Geomorphology | ||
| Earth Resources and Society | ||
| Petroleum Geology | ||
| Depositional Systems and Dynamic Stratigraphy | ||
| Paleoclimatology | ||
| The Cryosphere | ||
| Structural Geology and Geomechanics | ||
| Environmental Geochemistry | ||
| Isotope Geochemistry | ||
| Geomicrobiology | ||
| Integrated Subsurface Mapping and Analysis | ||
| Geologic Field Methods 3 | ||
| Advanced Topics in Geology | ||
| Geology Seminar | ||
| Geology Internship | ||
| Student Research | ||
| Senior Thesis | ||
| Total | 80-82 | |
- 1
Additionally, MATH A252 or MATH A252F is highly recommended for students majoring in geological sciences.
- 2
Geology field camps offered through other accredited academic institutions must be approved by the Department of Geological Sciences. Credits must be transferable to UAA from the academic institution that is offering the course and must be completed with a minimum grade of 2.00.
- 3
GEOL A480 may be applied toward recommended electives if it is not being applied to satisfy core requirements.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Geological Track | ||
| Students wishing to receive a degree with an environmental geological sciences track should complete the above electives requirement with 12 credits from the following courses: | 12 | |
| Earthquakes and Seismic Hazards | ||
| Geomorphology | ||
| Earth Resources and Society | ||
| Petroleum Geology | ||
| Paleoclimatology | ||
| The Cryosphere | ||
| Structural Geology and Geomechanics | ||
| Environmental Geochemistry | ||
| Isotope Geochemistry | ||
| Geology Internship | ||
| Total | 12 | |
A minimum of 120 credits is required for the degree, of which 39 must be upper-division credits.
Honors in Geological Sciences
The Department of Geological Sciences offers recognition to students who demonstrate exceptional promise in the science by awarding them with departmental honors in geological sciences. To graduate with departmental honors, the student must be a declared geological sciences major and meet the following requirements:
- Satisfy all requirements for a BS in Geological Sciences;
- Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50;
- Complete 6 credits of GEOL A499, or 3 credits of GEOL A498 and 3 credits of GEOL A499, with a minimum grade of B;
- Students intending to graduate with departmental honors must notify the departmental honors committee in writing on or before the date they file their Application for Graduation with the Office of the Registrar.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
The curriculum of the UAA Geological Sciences program is designed to produce graduates who:
- Have a basic knowledge of the principles related to the geological sciences with either an emphasis in environmental geology or general geology.
- Have an understanding of how to think scientifically and apply their knowledge to solve geologic problems.
- Have sufficient competence to obtain employment as an entry-level geologist or environmental geologist, and be able to progress professionally within the discipline and are prepared for advanced study.
- Have a fundamental understanding of Alaskan geology and environmental problems in Alaska.
- Are able to communicate their ideas.
- Are prepared for and understand the need for continued professional development throughout their careers.
In keeping with the objectives, it is expected that graduates of the UAA Geological Sciences program will have:
- An ability to apply their knowledge of general geology and/or environmental geology.
- An ability to accept challenges and think through problems until they are solved.
- An ability to design and conduct projects that include field work, laboratory analyses and interpretation in their area of emphasis.
- Experience in field geology in Alaska.
- An ability to communicate effectively.
- A recognition of the need for, and ability to pursue, lifelong learning.