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 the Earth's resources and the close interplay between human activity and the environment.
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.
Critical TrackingModel Semester Plan
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.
The Bachelor of Arts in geology is 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.
Back to Top
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.
Back to Top
Coursework for the Major
The Bachelor of Arts in geology requires 32 credits of coursework. Students must complete at least 9 credits of introductory-level courses (2000 level and below) and at least 23 credits of GLY-prefixed courses at the 3000 level or above, excluding GLY 3105C. One course must be the capstone course GLY 4155C (3 credits). Students must earn a minimum grade of C for coursework to count toward the major.
Back to Top
Critical Tracking
Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for entry to each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.
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
Semester 2
Semester 3
- Complete MAC 1147 (or equivalent) or STA 2023
- Complete 1 of 4 critical-tracking courses with a 2.5 critical-tracking GPA. 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 prerequisite for many courses, in semester 3 or 4.
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 4
- Complete one additional critical-tracking course with a 2.5 critical-tracking GPA
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 5
- Complete two additional geology courses with a 2.5 critical-tracking GPA
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Back to Top
Model Semester Plan
Students are expected to complete the writing requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. 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 |
|---|
IUF 1000 What is the Good Life
GE-H |
3 |
MAC 1147 Precalculus: Algebra and Trigonometry, 4 credits, or
STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1, 3 credits, (GE-M) |
3-4 |
Composition
GE-C; WR |
3 |
| Foreign language |
4-5 |
| Elective |
3 |
| Total |
16-18 |
| Semester 2 |
Credits |
|---|
GLY 2010C Physical Geology, 4 credits, or
GLY 1000 Exploring the Geological Sciences, 3 credits, or
OCE 1001 Introduction to Oceanography, 3 credits
GE-P |
3-4 |
Biological Science
GE-B |
3 |
Social and Behavioral Sciences
GE-S |
3 |
| Foreign language |
3-5 |
| Total |
12-15 |
| Semester 3 |
Credits |
|---|
GLY 2100C Historical Geology or
GLY 3105C Evolution of Earth and Life
GE-P |
4 |
Social and Behavioral Sciences
GE-S |
3 |
Elective
Or foreign language if 4-3-3 option |
3 |
| Electives |
6 |
| 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 |
Humanities
GE-H |
3 |
Geology elective
3000 level or above |
4 |
Electives
3000 level or above, not in major |
6 |
| Total |
16 |
| Semester 6 |
Credits |
|---|
| Geology electives |
8 |
Elective
3000 level or above, not in major |
6 |
| Total |
14 |
| Semester 7 |
Credits |
|---|
| Geology electives |
7-8 |
| Electives |
9 |
| Total |
16 |
| Semester 8 |
Credits |
|---|
| GLY 4155C Geology of Florida |
3 |
| Geology elective |
4 |
Electives
3000 level or above, not in major |
6 |
| Elective |
2 |
| Total |
15 |
Electives to reach the 120-credit total will vary depending on whether students select minimum or maximum credit course options.
Back to Top
Related Geology Programs
Back to Top