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.
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.
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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: This degree 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: This degree 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.
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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.
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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.
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Bachelor of Arts
Critical TrackingModel Semester Plan
The geology B.A. requires a minimum of 32 credits of coursework in the major. At least 23 credits must be GLY-prefixed courses at the 3000 level or above, excluding GLY 3105C. Students must earn a minimum grade of C for coursework to count toward the major.
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Required Coursework
Introductory Coursework
7-8 credits
- General Introductory Course: GLY 2010C Physical Geology, GLY 2030C Environmental and Engineering Geology, or any 1000-2000 level GLY, OCE or ESC course (3-4 credits)
- Historical Geology Course: GLY 3105C Evolution of Earth and Life or GLY2100C Historical Geology (4 credits)
Core Coursework
22 credits minimum
- GLY 3202C Earth Materials or GLY 3200C Mineralogy (3-4 credits)
- 17 credits minimum of additional Geology courses at the 3000 level or higher, excluding GLY3105C
- 2-4 credits of a 1000-4000 level Geology course
Capstone Course
3 credits
- GLY 4155C Geology of Florida
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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 one General Education Mathematics course
- Complete 1 of 3 critical-tracking courses with a 2.5 critical-tracking GPA. Choose one from a general introductory course (GLY 2010C, GLY 2030C, or any 1000-2000 level GLY, OCE or ESC course), a historical geology course (GLY 3105C or GLY 2100C), or a 3000-level geology course. GLY 2010C or GLY2030C is recommended as one of these is prerequisite to many upper-level courses.
- 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 all tracking courses with a 2.5 critical-tracking GPA; one general introductory course (GLY 2010C, GLY 2030C, or any 1000-2000 level GLY, OCE or ESC course), one historical geology course (GLY 3105C or GLY 2100C), and one 3000-level geology course.
- 2.0 UF GPA required
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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). One of the two general education mathematics courses must be a pure math course.
To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.
This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.
| Semester 1 |
Credits |
|---|
IUF 1000 What is the Good Life
GE-H |
3 |
Composition
State Core GE-C; WR |
3 |
Mathematics
State Core GE-M |
3-4 |
| Foreign language |
4-5 |
| Elective |
3 |
| Total |
16-18 |
| Semester 2 |
Credits |
|---|
GLY 2010C Physical Geology, 4 credits, or
ESC 1000 Introduction to Earth Science, 3 credits, or
GLY 1000 Exploring the Geological Sciences, 3 credits, or
OCE 1001 Introduction to Oceanography, 3 credits
GE-P |
3-4 |
Biological Science
State Core GE-B |
3 |
Social and Behavioral Sciences
State Core 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 |
| Electives |
6 |
Elective
Or foreign language if 4-3-3 option |
3 |
Social and Behavioral Sciences
GE-S |
3 |
| Total |
16 |
| Semester 4 |
Credits |
|---|
| GLY 3202C Earth Materials |
3 |
Biological Science
GE-B |
3 |
Humanities
State Core GE-H |
3 |
Mathematics
GE-M; pure math if STA 2023 taken for state core in semester 1 |
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 |
|---|
Geology electives
3000 level or above |
8 |
Elective
3000 level or above, not in major |
6 |
| Total |
14 |
| Semester 7 |
Credits |
|---|
Geology electives
3000 level or above
|
7 |
| Electives |
9 |
| Total |
16 |
| Semester 8 |
Credits |
|---|
| GLY 4155C Geology of Florida |
3 |
| Geology elective |
2 |
Electives
3000 level or above, not in major |
6 |
| Elective |
4 |
| Total |
15 |
Electives to reach the 120-credit total will vary depending on whether students select minimum or maximum credit course options.
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Bachelor of Arts: Environmental Geosciences
Critical TrackingModel Semester Plan
This specialization 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 minimum of 40 credits 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, 4 credits
- GIS 3043 Foundations of Geographical Information Systems, 4 credits
- GLY 2010C Physical Geology, 4 credits
- GLY 2100C Historical Geology or
GLY 3105C Evolution of Earth and Life in America, 4 credits
- GLY 3202C Earth Minerals, 3 credits
- GLY 4155C Geology of Florida, 3 credits
- Two geology electives, 6 credits minimum
- GLY 3074 Oceans and Global Climate Change
- GLY 3163 Geology of American and National Parks
- GLY 3603C Paleontology
- GLY 3882C Hydrology and Human Affairs
- 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
- GLY 4750L Geologic Field Methods
- Three geography electives, 9 credits minimum
- 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
- GLY 4734 Coastal Morphology and Processes
- GEO 4281 River Forms and Processes
- GEO 4285 Models in Geographic Hydrology
- GEO 4300 Environmental Biogeography
- GIS 4021C Aerial Photo Interpretation
- GIS 4037 Digital Image Processing
- MET 3503 Weather and Forecasting
- MET 4532 Hurricanes
Related Coursework
- STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics, 3 credits
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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
- Complete one critical-tracking course with laboratory (GEO 2200/2200L or GLY 2010C) with a 2.5 critical-tracking GPA
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 3
- Complete the other critical-tracking course with laboratory (GEO 2200/2200L or GLY 2010C) with a 2.5 critical-tracking GPA
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 4
- Complete STA 2023 and maintain a 2.5 critical-tracking GPA
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 5
- Complete 2 additional GLY or GEO courses with a 2.5 critical-tracking GPA. (GLY 2100C or GLY 3105C recommended)
- 2.0 UF GPA required
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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).
To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.
This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.
| Semester 1 |
Credits |
|---|
IUF 1000 What is the Good Life
GE-H |
3 |
Composition
State Core GE-C; WR |
3 |
| Foreign language |
4-5 |
Mathematics
State Core GE-M |
3 |
| Total |
13-14 |
| Semester 2 |
Credits |
|---|
GLY 2010C Physical Geology, or equivalent
OR
GEO 2200 Physical Geography, 3 credits, and
GEO 2200L Physical Geography Laboratory, 1 credit
GE-P |
4 |
Biological Science
State Core GE-B |
3 |
| Elective |
3 |
| Foreign language |
3-5 |
Social and Behavioral Sciences
State Core GE-S |
3 |
| Total |
16-18 |
| Semester 3 |
Credits |
|---|
GEO 2010C Physical Geology, or equivalent
OR
GEO 2200 Physical Geography, 3 credits, and
GEO 2200L Physical Geography Laboratory, 1 credit
GE-P |
4 |
Elective
Or foreign language if 4-3-3 option |
3 |
Elective
3000 level or above, not in major |
3 |
Humanities
State Core 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
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 |
9 |
| Total |
15-17 |
| Semester 8 |
Credits |
|---|
| GLY 4155C Geology of Florida |
3 |
| Geography electives |
6-8 |
| Electives |
7 |
| Total |
16-18 |
Electives to reach the 120-credit total will vary depending on whether students select minimum or maximum credit course options.
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Bachelor of Science
Critical TrackingModel Semester Plan
The professional degree is for students who want to pursue graduate school and careers in geosciences and/or environmental science. The major is extremely flexible and allows specialization in a number of subdisciplines (geochemistry, geophysics, geobiology, and hydrogeology).
The major requires 39-40 credits of geology coursework. Students must earn minimum grades of C for coursework to count toward the major.
Required Coursework
Introductory Coursework: 7-8 credits
- General introductory course: 3-4 credits
- GLY 2010C Physical Geology
- GLY2030C Environmental and Engineering Geology
- Any 1000-2000 level GLY, OCE or ESC course
- Historical geology course: 4 credits
- GLY2100C Historical Geology
- GLY3105C Evolution of Earth and Life
Geology BS Core Coursework: 24 credits
- GLY 3200C Principles of Mineralogy, 4 credits
- GLY 4310C Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology, 4 credits
- GLY 4400C Structural Geology and Tectonics, 4 credits
- GLY 4552C Sedimentary Geology, 4 credits
- 8 credits minimum of additional geology courses at the 3000 level or higher, excluding GLY3105C
Geology BS Capstone Coursework: 8 credits
- GLY 4750L Geological Field Methods, 2 credits
- GLY 4790 Geology Summer Field Camp, 6 credits
Related Coursework
- At least 15-16 credits of related coursework
- CHM 2045/CHM 2045L General Chemistry 1 and Laboratory, 4 credits
- MAC 2311 Calculus 1, 4 credits
- One semester of physics and laboratory: 4-5 credits
PHY 2004 Applied Physics 1 and
PHY 2004L Laboratory for Applied Physics 1
OR
PHY 2048 Physics with Calculus 1 and
PHY 2048L Laboratory for Physics with Calculus 1
OR
PHY 2053 Physics 1 and
PHY 2053L Laboratory for Physics 1
- Remaining credits chosen from
CGS 2531 Problem Solving Using Computer Software
CHM 2046 General Chemistry 2
CHM 2046L General Chemistry 2 Laboratory
PHY 2005 Applied Physics 2
PHY 2005L Applied Physics 2 Laboratory
PHY 2049 Physics with Calculus 2
PHY 2049L Physics with Calculus 2 Laboratory
PHY 2054 Physics 2
PHY 2054L Physics 2 Laboratory
MAC 2312 Calculus 2
MAC 2313 Calculus 3
STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics
Other science credits at the 2000 level and above approved by the department
Specific courses selected from among the alternatives listed above will depend upon the student's primary interest.
Students interested in graduate school are urged to take a year of chemistry, calculus and physics. Students should contact a departmental advisor as early as possible.
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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 one general introductory course (GLY 2010C Physical Geology, GLY 2030C Environmental and Engineering Geology, or any 1000-2000 level GLY, OCE, or ESC course).
GLY 2010C is recommended as it is a prerequisite for many upper-level courses.
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 4
- Complete historical geology course (GLY 2100Cor GLY 3105C) or GLY 3000-level geology course.
- Complete one related coursework requirement (CHM 2045/CHM 2045L, MAC2311, or PHY2004/2048/2053 and associated lab)
- 2.5 Critical Tracking GPA
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 5
- Complete one 3000-level geology course (or historical geology course if not taken in semester 4)
- Complete one additional related coursework requirement (CHM 2045/2045L, MAC2311, or PHY2004/2048/2053 and associated lab)
- 2.5 Critical Tracking GPA
- 2.0 UF GPA required
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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).
To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.
This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.
| Semester 1 |
Credits |
|---|
IUF 1000 What is the Good Life
GE-H |
3 |
MAC 2311 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1
State Core GE-M |
4 |
Composition
State Core GE-C; WR |
3 |
| Foreign language |
4-5 |
| Total |
14-15 |
| Semester 2 |
Credits |
|---|
CHM 2045 General Chemistry 1, 3 credits, and
CHM 2045L General Chemistry 1 Laboratory, 1 credit
State Core GE-P |
4 |
MAC 2312 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2 (GE-M)
OR
PHY 2004 Applied Physics 1, 3 credits, and
PHY 2004L Laboratory for Applied Physics 1, 1 credit, (GE-P) |
4 |
| Foreign language |
3-5 |
Social and Behavioral Sciences
State Core GE-S |
3 |
| Total |
14-16 |
| Semester 3 |
Credits |
|---|
CHM 2046 General Chemistry 2, 3 credits, and
CHM 2046L General Chemistry 2 Laboratory, 1 credit
OR
Approved science course
GE-P |
4 |
GLY 2010C Physical Geology, 4 credits, or
Other introductory GLY course
GE-P |
3-4 |
PHY 2005 Applied Physics 2, 3 credits, and
PHY 2005 Laboratory for Applied Physics 2, 1 credit
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 |
Humanities
State Core GE-H |
3 |
Mathematics
GE-M; or elective if Calculus 2 taken in semester 2 |
3 |
Social and Behavioral Sciences
GE-S |
3 |
| Total |
16 |
| Semester 5 |
Credits |
|---|
GLY 3200C Principles of Mineralogy
GE-P |
4 |
| GLY 4750L Geologic Field Methods |
2 |
Electives
3000 level or above, not in major |
6 |
Humanities
GE-H |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 6 |
Credits |
|---|
GLY 4310C Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
GE-P |
4 |
| GLY 4400C Structural Geology and Tectonics |
4 |
Biological Science
GE-B |
3 |
Geology elective
Any GLY course 3000 level or above |
2 |
Elective
3000 level or above, not in major |
3 |
| Total |
16 |
| Summer |
Credits |
|---|
| GLY 4790C Summer Field Camp |
6 |
| Total |
6 |
| Semester 7 |
Credits |
|---|
| GLY 4552C Sedimentary Geology |
3 |
Composition
GE-C |
3 |
Geology elective
Any GLY course 3000 level or above |
3 |
Elective
3000 level or above, not in major |
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 |
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Related Geology Programs
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