Geology

A geology degree provides an understanding of issues associated with the physical earth and skills which are in demand in today's job market. The geology graduate will have a detailed understanding of climate change, sustainability of Earth resources and the close interplay between human activity and the environment.

Overview

Techniques such as environmental assessment, geological hazard assessment, field-based techniques and geographic information systems (GIS) are used to evaluate the impact of humans on the physical earth and hydrologic environment. The practical and flexible curriculum, small class sizes, computer-based learning, strong faculty and coursework in several areas of general education make this major appealing to students who want skills linked to employment or preparation for entry to professional schools (e.g., law, medicine, business).

Geology majors learn about the Earth's physical environment including climate, non-renewable geological resources, renewable geological resources, geological hazards and remediation as well as basic skills required by geologists. These skills and the geological perspective open doors to employment in government agencies and private firms that deal with water management, mining and petroleum exploration, climate change, the environment and education.

Coursework for the Major

The geology major has three different specializations: the Bachelor of Arts, the Bachelor of Arts in environmental geosciences (a joint program with the Department of Geography) and the Bachelor of Science. Students who are uncertain which program best suits them should consult the Department of Geology's undergraduate coordinator for information and guidance on curriculum planning.

• Bachelor of Arts: The Bachelor of Arts in geology is the most flexible degree, and best suited for students interested in careers in education or environmental policy making. The degree also allows students flexibility to pursue advanced degrees in environmental law or environmental medicine.
• Bachelor of Arts - Environmental Geosciences: Co-offered by the Department of Geography, this specialization is designed for students interested in land and water aspects of the environment. It can be tailored to focus on water and mineral exploration and management, geological hazards, environmental planning, resource sustainability or earth science education.
• Bachelor of Science - Professional: This specialization is designed for students planning to take the professional geology (PG) licensure exam and/or to continue on to graduate study in geology. It emphasizes a core understanding of petrology, structural geology, field methodology and paleontology, and it requires significant introductory coursework in calculus, general chemistry and physics.

Relevant Minors and/or Certificates

UFTeach Program: There is a severe shortage of qualified secondary science teachers in Florida and nationwide. Students interested in becoming part of this high-demand profession should see the undergraduate coordinator about the UFTeach program. UFTeach students can complete the UFTeach minor in science teaching along with their B.A. or B.S in geology and have the coursework and preparation for professional teacher certification in Florida when they graduate.

Research

Students in geology who wish to graduate with high or highest honors will be required to conduct an independent research project under the direction of a faculty member. Students are also afforded the opportunity to conduct research within the department's laboratories regardless of their honors status.

Bachelor of Arts - Geology
Bachelor of Arts - Environmental Geosciences
Bachelor of Science - Professional Geology

Bachelor of Arts - Geology

The Bachelor of Arts in geology requires 32 hours of coursework. Students must complete at least 9 hours of introductory-level courses (2000 level and below) and at least 23 hours of GLY-prefixed courses at the 3000 level or above, excluding GLY 3105C. One course must be the capstone course GLY 4750L (2 credits). Students must earn a minimum grade of C for coursework to count toward the major.

Critical Tracking

To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements. For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements — Structure of a CLAS Degree.

Equivalent critical tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.

Semester 1

• 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5

Semester 2

• Maintain 2.0 UF GPA

Semester 3

• Complete MAC 1147 (or equivalent) or STA 2023
• Complete 1 of 4 critical-tracking courses with a 2.5 critical-tracking GPA on all critical-tracking coursework. Choose one from ESC 1000, GLY 1000, GLY 1073, GLY 1102, GLY 1150L, GLY 2010C, GLY 2038, GLY 2100C, GLY 3083C, GLY 3105C and OCE 1001. Students should take GLY 2010C, which is a prereq for many courses, in semester 3 or 4.

Semester 4

• Complete one additional tracking course with a 2.5 critical-tracking GPA on all critical-tracking coursework

Semester 5

• Complete two additional geology courses with a 2.5 critical-tracking GPA on all critical-tracking coursework

Recommended Semester Plan

Students are expected to complete the writing and math requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are required to complete HUM 2305 The Good Life (GE-H) in semester 1 or 2. Students are also expected to complete the general education international (GE-N) and diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another general education requirement (typically GE-C, H or S).

Semester 1	Credits
HUM 2305 What is the Good Life (GE-H)​	3​
MAC 1147 Precalculus: Algebra and Trigonometry (4) or STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1 (3) (GE-M)	3-4
Composition (GE-C, WR)	3
Foreign language	4-5
Elective	3-0
Total	16-15

Semester 2	Credits
GLY 2010C Physical Geology (4) or GLY 1000 Exploring the Geological Sciences (3) or OCE 1001 Introduction to Oceanography (s) (all GE-P)	3-4
Biological Science (GE-B)	3
Foreign language	3-5
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S)	3
Total	12-15

Semester 3	Credits
GLY 2100C Historical Geology or GLY 3105C Evolution of Earth and Life (both GE-P)	4
Elective (or foreign language if 4-3-3 option)	3
Electives	6
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S)	3
Total	16

Semester 4	Credits
GLY 3202C Earth Materials	3
Biological Science (GE-B)	3
Humanities (GE-H)	3
Mathematics (GE-M)	3-4
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S)	3
Total	15-16

Semester 5	Credits
Composition (GE-C)	3
Electives (3000 level or above, not in major)	6
Geology elective (3000 level or above)	4
Humanities (GE-H)	3
Total	16

Semester 6	Credits
Elective (3000 level or above, not in major)	6
Geology electives	8
Total	14

Semester 7	Credits
Electives	9
Geology electives	7-8
Total	16

Semester 8	Credits
GLY 4750L Geologic Field Methods	2
Elective	3
Electives (3000 level or above, not in major)	6
Geology elective	4
Total	15

* Electives to reach the 120-hour total will vary depending on whether students select minimum or maximum credit course options.

Bachelor of Arts - Environmental Geosciences

This program is well-suited for students interested in environmental science, environmental policy, Earth science teaching or environmental law and offers a unique interdisciplinary perspective between geology and geography. The major requires a total of 39-44 hours of coursework and is a joint offering between the Department of Geological Sciences and Department of Geography. Students must earn a minimum grade of C for coursework to count toward the major.

Required Coursework

• GEO 2200 and 2200L Physical Geography and Physical Geography Laboratory
• GIS 3043 Foundations of Geographical Information Systems
• GLY 2010C Physical Geology
• GLY 2100C Historical Geology or
  GLY 3105C Evolution of Earth and Life in America
• GLY 3202C Earth Minerals
• GLY 4750L Geologic Field Methods
• Two geology electives from GLY 3074 Oceans and Global Climate, GLY 3163 Geology of American and National Parks, GLY 3603C Paleontology, GLY 3882C Hydrology and Human Affairs, GLY 4155C Geology of Florida, GLY 4310C Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology, GLY 4400C Structural Geology and Tectonics,
  GLY 4552C Sedimentary Geology, GLY 4571 Fluvial Morphology and Processes, GLY 4734 Coastal Morphology and Processes
• Three geography electives from GEO 3162C Introduction to Quantitative Analysis for Geographers, GEO 3250 Climatology, GEO 3280 Principles of Geographic Hydrology, GEO 3341 Extreme Floods, GEO 3352 The Human Footprint on Landscape, GEO 3372 Conservation Resources, GEO 4167C Intermediate Quantitative Analysis for Geographers, GEO 4221 Coastal Morphology and Processes, GEO 4281 Fluvial Morphology and Processes, GEO 4285 Models in Geographic Hydrology, GEO 4300 Environmental Biogeography, GIS 4021C Air Photo Interpretation, GIS 4037 Digital Image Processing, MET 3503 Weather and Forecasting, MET 4532 Hurricanes
• STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics

Critical Tracking

To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements. For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements — Structure of a CLAS Degree.

Equivalent critical tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.

Semester 1

• 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5

Semester 2

• Complete one critical-tracking course with laboratory (GEO 2200 and GEO 2200L, or GLY 2010C) with a 2.5 critical-tracking GPA on all critical-tracking coursework

Semester 3

• Complete the other critical-tracking course with laboratory (GEO 2200 and GEO 2200L, or GLY 2010C) with a 2.5 critical-tracking GPA on all critical-tracking coursework

Semester 4

• Complete STA 2023 and maintain a 2.5 critical-tracking GPA on all critical-tracking coursework

Semester 5

• Complete 2 additional GLY or GEO courses with a 2.5 critical-tracking GPA on all critical-tracking coursework. Recommended courses: GLY 2100C or GLY 3105C

Recommended Semester Plan

Students are expected to complete the writing and math requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are required to complete HUM 2305 The Good Life (GE-H) in semester 1 or 2. Students are also expected to complete the general education international (GE-N) and diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another general education requirement (typically GE-C, H or S).

Semester 1	Credits
HUM 2305 What is the Good Life (GE-H)​	3​
Composition (GE-C, WR)	3
Foreign language	4-5
Mathematics (GE-M)	3
Total	13-14

Semester 2	Credits
GLY 2010C Physical Geology (4) or GEO 2200 and GEO 2200L Physical Geography (3) and Physical Geography Laboratory (1) or equivalent (all GE-P)	4
Biological Science (GE-B)	3
Foreign language	3-5
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S)	3
Total	13-15

Semester 3	Credits
GEO 2010C Physical Geology (4) or equivalent, or GLY 2200 and GEO 2200L Physical Geography (3) and Physical Geography Laboratory (1) (all GE-P)	4
Electives (3000 level or above, not in major)	3
Elective (or foreign language if 4-3-3 option)	3
Humanities (GE-H)	3
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S)	3
Total	16

Semester 4	Credits
STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1 (GE-M)	3
Biological Science (GE-B)	3
Composition (GE-C)	3
Humanities (GE-H)	3
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S)	3
Total	15

Semester 5	Credits
GIS 3043 Foundations of Geographic Information Systems	4
GLY 2100C Historical Geology or GLY 3105C Evolution of Earth and Life (both GE-P)	4
Electives (3000 level or above, not in major)	6
Total	14

Semester 6	Credits
GLY 3202C Earth Materials	3
Geology electives	3-4
Electives (3000 level or above, not in major)	9
Total	15-16

Semester 7	Credits
Geography elective	3-4
Geology elective	3-4
Electives *	12
Total	18

Semester 8	Credits
GLY 4750L Geologic Field Methods (2) or GEO 4930 Senior Seminar (1)	1-2
Geography electives	6-8
Electives *	9
Total	16

* Electives to reach the 120-hour total will vary depending on whether students select minimum or maximum credit course options.

Bachelor of Science - Professional

The professional specialization is for students who want to pursue graduate and professional careers in geosciences and/or environmental science. The major is extremely flexible and allows specialization in a number of subdisciplines (geochemistry, geophysics, geobiology, hydrogeology).

The major requires a total of 39-40 hours of geology coursework. Students must earn minimum grades of C for coursework to count toward the major.

Students must complete at least 7-8 hours of coursework in the Department of Geology at the 1000/2000 level.

Students must complete at least 32 hours of coursework in the Department of Geology at the 3000 level or above, including the capstone course GLY 4790 in the senior year.

Required Coursework

• GLY 2100C Historical Geology, GLY 3105C Evolution of Earth and Life in America, GLY 3200C Principles of Mineralogy, GLY 4310C Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology, GLY 4400C Structural Geology and Tectonics, GLY 4552C Sedimentary Geology, GLY 4750L Geological Field Methods, GLY 4790 Geology Summer Field Camp
• At least 15-16 credits chosen from the following courses:
  • CHM 2045 General Chemistry 1 and MAC 2311 Calculus 1 and one semester of physics (PHY 2004 Applied Physics 1 or PHY 2048 Physics with Calculus 1 or PHY 2053 Physics 1) are required
  • Remaining hours can be chosen from CGS 2531 Problem Solving Using Computer Software, CHM 2045L General Chemistry 1 Lab, CHM 2046 General Chemistry 2, CHM 2046L General Chemistry 2 Lab; PHY 2004L Applied Physics 1 Lab, PHY 2005 Applied Physics 2, PHY 2005L Applied Physics 2 Lab, PHY 2048L Physics with Calculus 1 Lab, PHY 2049 Physics with Calculus 2, PHY 2049L Physics with Calculus 2 Lab, PHY 2053L Physics 1 Lab, PHY 2054 Physics 2, PHY 2054L Physics 2 Lab; MAC 2312 Calculus 2, MAC 2313 Calculus 3 or STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics; and
    Additional science credits at the 2000 level and above, approved by the department. (Examples include AST 2008 Introduction to the Stars and Galaxies, BSC 2010 Integrated Principles of Biology 1, BSC 2010L Integrated Principles of Biology 1 Lab, BSC 2011 Integrated Principles of Biology 2, BSC 2011L Integrated Principles of Biology 2 Lab, GIS 3043 Foundations of Geographic Information Systems, MCB 2000 Introduction to Microbiology, MCB 2000L Introduction to Microbiology Lab, SWS 3022 Introduction to Soils in the Environment, SWS 3022L Introduction to Soils in the Environment Lab.)

Specific courses selected from among the alternatives listed above will depend upon the student's primary geologic interest.

Students interested in graduate school are urged to take a year of chemistry, calculus and physics.

Students should contact the adviser in 355 Williamson as early as possible.

Critical Tracking

To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements. For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements — Structure of a CLAS Degree.

Equivalent critical tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.

Semester 1

• 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5

Semester 2

• Maintain 2.0 UF GPA

Semester 3

• Complete 2 of 6 critical-tracking courses with a 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework. Choose two from CHM 2045, CHM 2046, ESC 1000,
  GLY 1000, GLY 1073, GLY 1102, GLY 2010C, GLY 2038, GLY 2100C, GLY 3083C,
  GLY 3105C, GLY 3200, MAC 2311, MAC 2312, OCE 1001, PHY 2004, PHY 2005
  Students should take GLY 2010C, which is a prereq for many courses, in semester 3 or 4.

Semester 4

• Complete 2 additional tracking courses. Choose 1: GLY 2100C, GLY 3105C or GLY 3200C with a 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework

Semester 5

• Complete 2 additional tracking courses with a 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework

Recommended Semester Plan

Students are expected to complete the writing and math requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are required to complete HUM 2305 The Good Life (GE-H) in semester 1 or 2. Students are also expected to complete the general education international (GE-N) and diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another general education requirement (typically GE-C, H or S).

Semester 1	Credits
HUM 2305 What is the Good Life (GE-H)​	3​
MAC 2311 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 (GE-M)	4
Composition (GE-C, WR)	3
Foreign language	4-5
Total	14-15

Semester 2	Credits
CHM 2045 and 2045L General Chemistry 1 (3) and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory (1) (GE-P)	4
MAC 2312 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2 (4) (GE-M) or PHY 2004 and 2004L Applied Physics 1 (3) and Applied Physics 1 Laboratory (1) (both GE-P)	4
Foreign language	3-5
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S)	3
Total	14-16

Semester 3	Credits
CHM 2046 and 2046L General Chemistry 2 (3) and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory (1) (both GE-P) or Approved science course (GE-P)	4
GLY 2010C Physical Geology (4) or Other introductory GLY course (both GE-P)	3-4
PHY 2005 and 2005L Applied Physics 2 (3) and Applied Physics 2 Laboratory (1) (both GE-P) or Approved science course (GE-P)	4
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S)	3
Total	14-15

Semester 4	Credits
GLY 2100C Historical Geology (GE-P) or GLY 3105C Evolution of Earth and Life	4
Biological Science (GE-B)	3
Elective​	3​
Humanities (GE-H, N)	3
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S)	3
Total	16

Semester 5	Credits
GLY 3200C Principles of Mineralogy (GE-P)	4
Biological Science (GE-B)	3
Electives (3000 level or above, not in major)	6
Humanities (GE-H)	3
Total	16

Semester 6	Credits
GLY 4310C Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology (GE-P)	4
GLY 4400C Structural Geology and Tectonics	4
GLY 4750L Geologic Field Methods	2
Approved elective (3000 level or above)	2
Elective (3000 level or above, not in major)	3
Total	15

Summer	Credits
GLY 4790C Summer Field Camp	6
Total	6

Semester 7	Credits
GLY 4552C Sedimentary Geology	3
Composition (GE-C)	3
Elective (3000 level or above, not in major)	3
Geology elective (3000 level or higher)	3
Total	12

Semester 8	Credits
GLY 3603C Paleontology (GE-P)	4
GLY 4905 Individual Work or elective	3
Elective (3000 level or above, not in major)	6
Total	13

Back to Top