Bachelor of Science in Geology

About

In the Bachelor of Science in Geology Program, you’ll get the scientific background needed for graduate school or a career as a professional geologist. You’ll get a thorough understanding of geology and general chemistry. You’ll also choose from a variety of electives in general physics, introductory physics, or biology.

For more information, contact a program advisor:

Jennifer Thomson, PhD: jthomson@ewu.edu
Chad Pritchard, PhD: cpritchard@ewu.edu

Course Requirements

Curriculum & Requirements

Geology Major, Bachelor of Science (BS)

The Bachelor of Science program prepares students for careers as professional geologists, provides the basis for admission to graduate school and prepares students seeking registration and licensing as professional geologists. Some courses in the BS degree will also count as Natural Science BACRs and satisfy the university proficiency in mathematics requirement.

Grade Requirement: ≥2.50 cumulative average, ≥C in required supporting and geology classes.

Required Courses
CHEM 171
& 171L		GENERAL CHEMISTRY I
and GENERAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY I 		5
GEOL 120PHYSICAL GEOLOGY - THE SOLID EARTH5
GEOL 121PHYSICAL GEOLOGY - SURFICIAL PROCESSES5
GEOL 122HISTORICAL GEOLOGY5
GEOL 239TOPICS1
GEOL 311EARTH MATERIALS4
GEOL 312CRYSTALLOGRAPHY AND OPTICAL MINERALOGY4
GEOL 313IGNEOUS AND METAMORPHIC PETROLOGY4
GEOL 411SEDIMENTOLOGY AND STRATIGRAPHY4
GEOL 430STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY I4
GEOL 431STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY II4
MATH/HONS 161CALCULUS I5
MATH 162CALCULUS II4-5
or MATH 380 ELEMENTARY PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS
or BIOL 380 DATA ANALYSIS FOR BIOLOGISTS
or DSCI 245 BUSINESS STATISTICS 1
PHYS 131INTRODUCTORY PHYSICS I4
or PHYS 151 GENERAL PHYSICS I
PHYS 161MECHANICS LABORATORY1
Choose two of the following courses8-10
BIOLOGY I
BIOLOGY II
GENERAL CHEMISTRY II
and GENERAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY II
GENERAL CHEMISTRY III
and GENERAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY III
INTRODUCTORY PHYSICS II
and HEAT AND OPTICS LABORATORY
INTRODUCTORY PHYSICS III
and ELECTRONICS LABORATORY I
GENERAL PHYSICS II
and HEAT AND OPTICS LABORATORY
GENERAL PHYSICS III
and ELECTRONICS LABORATORY I
Electives–choose credits from upper-division Geology courses.20
Fundamentals (at least three required)
INVERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY
PRINCIPLES OF GEOCHEMISTRY
HYDROGEOLOGY
ENGINEERING GEOLOGY OF SOILS: INTRODUCTION TO GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING
Additional Upper-Division Electives
GIS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS I
GIS SPATIAL ANALYSIS FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGY
GEOLOGIC HAZARDS
INVERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY
GEOLOGY FIELD TRIP
PRINCIPLES OF GEOCHEMISTRY
ISOTOPIC TRACERS IN THE ENVIRONMENT
HYDROGEOLOGY
ENGINEERING GEOLOGY OF SOILS: INTRODUCTION TO GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING OF SOILS AND FOUNDATIONS
SENIOR CAPSTONE: WATER AND THE WEST, WATER RESOURCE ENGINEERING IN ARID LANDS
CAPSTONE: ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY
Required Senior Capstone
GEOL 490SENIOR CAPSTONE: GEOLOGY FIELD CAMP10
Total Credits97-100

Catalog Listing

Program Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully earn a BS in Geology from EWU should be able to do the following:​

  • apply geological principles that operate in the complex systems of the Earth;
  • demonstrate advanced analytical skills in the geological sciences in preparation for the professional job market or graduate studies;
  • demonstrate effective scientific communication skills necessary in order to be successful in the field of geology;
  • demonstrate the proper use of the tools and equipment available to geologists to solve geological problems;
  • describe geological processes that operate in the complex systems of the Earth.