Department of Geology & Environmental Science
Dr. Stanley L. Ulanski, Head
Professors
R. Amenta, D. Brakke, L. Fichter, L. Kearns, G. Robinson, W. Sherwood, S. Ulanski
Assistant Professors
S. Baedke, L. Eaton, W. Frangos
Instructors
M. Reinhold
Mission Statement
The principal mission of geologyÕs instructional program is to serve two vital needs of the JMU students. First, the major in geology presents a high quality program of specialized study focusing on earth materials, internal and external earth processes, analysis of earth history and application of geology to environmental and engineering issues. Fundamental to this mission is a commitment to foster the ability to think analytically and to communicate both within the discipline and with non-scientists. Course work and research experiences prepare the student for postgraduate study or professional careers that are subject to rapidly changing societal needs. Second, it is committed to enhancing general education by offering timely and challenging courses that provide insight into earth processes and human-environment interactions. These courses promote life long liberal learning by fostering awareness of the contingent nature of knowledge.
Goals
- Provide a stimulating, intellectual environment for students in geology and environmental studies that will generate interest and enthusiasm for learning and will provide a solid foundation for graduate work and careers in geology and environmental studies.
- To teach science as science is practiced. Since the advancement of scientific knowledge often occurs
within a social context Ð collaboration among scientists, conferences, workshops Ð the goal is to develop a similar mode of operation for the geology program.
- Provide high quality, relevant general studies courses within the discipline that will probe the philosophy of science and the history of geologic thought. These courses will incorporate critical thinking and an appreciation of the human environment.
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Career Opportunities
- Hydrologist
- Engineering Geologist
- Paleontologist
- Mineral Curator
- Geomorphologist
- Geochemist
- Petroleum Geologist
- Soil Scientist
- Environmental Geologist
- Earth Science Teaching
Degree and Major Requirements
Bachelor of Arts in Geology
B.A. degree students are required to complete CHEM 131-131L, 132-132L before enrolling in required geology courses numbered 300 and higher.
Degree Requirements
|
Credit Hours |
| General Education1 |
41-44 |
| Foreign Language classes (Intermediate level required) |
0-14 |
| Philosophy course(s) (In addition to General Education courses) |
3 |
| Major requirements (listed below) and electives |
60-71 |
|
120 |
Major Requirements
| Core Corses |
Credit Hours |
| GEOL 110. Physical Geology |
4 |
| GEOL 230. Evolution of Earth |
4 |
| GEOL 280. Mineralogy |
4 |
| GEOL 300. Introduction to Petrology |
3 |
| GEOL 364. Stratigraphy and Basin Analysis |
4 |
| GEOL 365. Structural Geology |
3 |
| GEOL 399. Field Geology |
6 |
| Choose one from the following: |
3-6 |
| GEOL 491. Geological Literature Research |
|
| GEOL 494. Internship in Geology |
|
| GEOL 497. Problems in Geology |
|
| GEOL 499. Honors in Geology |
|
|
31-34 |
The B.A. and B.S. degree option requires that each student complete at least 12-13 credit hours chosen from the following courses except for GEOL 211 or GEOL 320.
GEOL 220. Genetic Mineralogy
GEOL 350. Invertebrate Paleontology
GEOL 385. Geomorphology
GEOL 390. Laboratory Techniques in Geology
GEOL 405. Vertebrate Paleontology
GEOL 415. Geological Evolution of North America
GEOL 460. Geohydrology
GEOL 498. Quantitative Methods in Geology
GEOL 493. Geophysics
GEOL 340. Soils and Land Use
GEOL 355. Geochemistry of Natural Waters
GEOL 385. Geomorphology
GEOL 390. Laboratory Techniques in Geology
GEOL 395. Geological Perspectives in Materials
GEOL 410. Engineering Geology
GEOL 460. Geohydrology
GEOL 489. Quantitative Methods in Geology
GEOL 493. Geophysics
Earth Science Education
GEOL 211. Introduction to Oceanography
GEOL 320. Meteorology
GEOL 340. Soils and Land Use
GEOL 385. Geomorphology
Bachelor of Science in Geology
Degree Requirements
|
Credit Hours |
| General Education1 |
41-44 |
| Mathematics course |
3 |
| Social science or natural science course(s) |
3-4 |
| Major requirements (listed below) and electives |
70-74 |
|
120 |
Major Requirements
| Core Corses |
Credit Hours |
| GEOL 110. Physical Geology |
4 |
| GEOL 230. Evolution of Earth |
4 |
| GEOL 280. Mineralogy |
4 |
| GEOL 300. Introduction to Petrology |
3 |
| GEOL 364. Stratigraphy and Basin Analysis |
4 |
| GEOL 365. Structural Geology |
3 |
| GEOL 399. Field Geology |
6 |
| Choose one from the following: |
3-6 |
| GEOL 491. Geological Literature Research |
|
| GEOL 494. Internship in Geology |
|
| GEOL 497. Problems in Geology |
|
| GEOL 499. Honors in Geology |
|
|
31-34 |
The B.S. degree in geology is designed for students who plan to obtain professional employment in geology or enter graduate school upon graduation. It is recommended that incoming B.S. degree students complete the following courses prior to enrolling in required geology courses numbered 300 and higher.
CHEM 131-131L, 132-132L. General Chemistry I-II
Choose one of the following:
MATH 231-232 Calculus with Functions I-II
MATH 235-236. Calculus I-II
Choose one of the following:
PHYS 140-140L; PHYS 150-150L. College Physics I-II with Laboratories
PHYS 240-140L; PHYS 250-150L. University Physics I-II with Laboratories
Students planning graduate study in some areas of the geosciences should consider additional courses in mathematics, physics, or chemistry beyond those required for the B.S. Major
The B.A. and B.S. degree option requires that each student complete at least 12-13 credit hours chosen from the following courses except for GEOL 211 or GEOL 320.
GEOL 220. Genetic Mineralogy
GEOL 350. Invertebrate Paleontology
GEOL 385. Geomorphology
GEOL 390. Laboratory Techniques in Geology
GEOL 405. Vertebrate Paleontology
GEOL 415. Geological Evolution of North America
GEOL 460. Geohydrology
GEOL 498. Quantitative Methods in Geology
GEOL 493. Geophysics
GEOL 340. Soils and Land Use
GEOL 355. Geochemistry of Natural Waters
GEOL 385. Geomorphology
GEOL 390. Laboratory Techniques in Geology
GEOL 395. Geological Perspectives in Materials
GEOL 410. Engineering Geology
GEOL 460. Geohydrology
GEOL 489. Quantitative Methods in Geology
GEOL 493. Geophysics
Earth Science Education
GEOL 211. Introduction to Oceanography
GEOL 320. Meteorology
GEOL 340. Soils and Land Use
GEOL 385. Geomorphology
Recommended Schedule for Majors
| First Year |
Credit Hours |
| Cluster One: Skills for the 21st Century |
9-12 |
| CHEM 131-131L, 132-132L. General Chemistry I-II |
8 |
| GEOL 110. Physical Geology |
4 |
| GEOL 230. Evolution of Earth |
4 |
| MATH 220. Elementary Statistics (recommended) |
3 |
|
28 |
| Second Year |
Credit Hours |
| GEOL 280. Mineralogy |
4 |
| GEOL 364. Stratigraphy: Depositional Systems |
4 |
| Foreign language courses 1 |
1-8 |
| General Education courses |
12 |
|
28 |
| Third Year |
Credit Hours |
| GEOL 300. Introduction to Petrology |
3 |
| GEOL 365. Structural Geology |
3 |
| GEOL 399. Field Geology (May session) |
6 |
| Geology electives |
6-8 |
| General Education courses |
9 |
| Philosophy course |
3 |
|
30-32 |
| Fourth Year |
Credit Hours |
| Choose from the following: |
3 |
| GEOL 491. Geological Literature Research |
|
| GEOL 494. Internship |
|
| GEOL 497. Problems in Geology |
|
| GEOL 499. Honors in Geology |
|
| Geology electives |
5-6 |
| Electives |
19-26 |
|
27-36 |
| First Year |
Credit Hours |
| Cluster One: Skills for the 21st Century |
9-12 |
| CHEM 131-131L, 132-132L. General Chemistry I-II |
8 |
| GEOL 110. Physical Geology |
4 |
| GEOL 230. Evolution of Earth |
4 |
| Choose one of the following: |
3 |
| MATH 231-232. Introductory Calculus (six credits) |
3 |
| MATH 235-236. Analytic Geometry and Calculus (eight credits) |
3 |
|
28 |
| Second Year |
Credit Hours |
| GEOL 280. Mineralogy |
4 |
| GEOL 364. Stratigraphy: Depositional Systems |
4 |
| Geology elective |
1-8 |
| Choose one of the following: |
8 |
| PHYS 140-140L; PHYS 150-150L. College
Physics I-II with Laboratories
PHYS 240-140L; PHYS 250-150L. University
Physics I-II with Laboratories |
|
| General Education courses |
12 |
|
31 |
| Third Year |
Credit Hours |
| GEOL 300. Introduction to Petrology |
3 |
| GEOL 365. Structural Geology |
3 |
| GEOL 399. Field Geology (May session) |
6 |
| Geology electives |
8 |
| General Education courses |
9 |
|
29 |
| Fourth Year |
Credit Hours |
| Choose from the following: |
3-6 |
| GEOL 491. Geological Literature Research |
|
| GEOL 494. Internship |
|
| GEOL 497. Problems in Geology |
|
| GEOL 499. Honors in Geology |
|
| Electives |
9-20 |
|
12-26 |
Minor Requirements
Geology Minor
The requirement for a minor in geology is a minimum of 18 credit hours of geology approved by the student's geology adviser.
Teaching Licensure
Licensure in secondary earth science teaching will also require a course in astronomy, a course in biology and fulfillment of the requirements of the Teacher Licensure Program. It is necessary to be admitted to the teacher education program prior to enrolling in professional education courses. For a full description of the program in secondary education, refer to the College of Education.
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