What is Geology?
Geology is the scientific discipline that studies the Earth. As geologists, we seek to better understand the processes that constantly change the Earth, the socio-economic challenges that these changes present to sustainability of life and human society, and the history of the Earth from the origin of the solar system through geologic time to the present, and even into the future. Regardless of specialization and exact career path, geologists commonly learn
- to interpret Earth’s systems, their interrelationships, and effects on each other,
- to comprehend the scale and magnitude of deep time, the impact of different time scales on geologic processes, and interpret time’s relationship to major geological and biological events in the geologic record,
- to recognize key surface processes and their connection to geological features and possible natural and man-made hazards,
- to analyze and interpret the chemical and mechanical processes that are involved within each stage of the Rock Cycle,
- to analyze and interpret plate tectonic and deformation processes, the relationship to Earth’s structure, and the resultant geological structures and natural hazards,
- to analyze and interpret the chemical and mechanical processes that are involved in the Water Cycle and important aspects related to water being a natural resource,
- to relate the distribution of natural resources to geological processes, explain how natural resources are formed, used, and extracted, and understand their relative availability, and
- to analyze and explain the Earth’s changing climate over various time scales and analyze the environmental, social, and geological impacts of these changes.
The Geology Major
All BS Geology majors take courses in the geosciences (GEOL, GEOG and GEOSCI) and supporting science and math courses; as a whole, these courses provide you with a solid foundation in the science of geology and its application to real-world problems.
Upon graduation with a BS in Geology from UMass you will be able to:
- Demonstrate a strong understanding of:
- Earth's composition
- Earth structure and internal dynamics
- key events in physical, biological, and environmental evolution over geologic time
- geochemical processes in the geosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, and atmosphere
- geophysical processes in the geosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, and atmosphere
- surficial processes that transform landscapes, coastlines, and natural water systems, and the climate system
- Develop key geoscience skills including:
- Creating and interpreting 3D and 4D representations of data
- making and using field-based observations and data collection
- connecting field observations with academic theory
- making inferences from real-world and field data
- interrogating the Earth using geoscience-related computational, programming, and data analysis techniques, scientific instrumentation and laboratory techniques
- developing hypotheses, designing experiments, and creating new data
- Practice problem-solving skills such as:
- applying indirect measurements
- working with uncertainty, ambiguity, and incomplete information
- exploring cause and effect relationships and logical progressions
- quantifying precision, accuracy, and error estimation
- integrating data and techniques across subdisciplines
- Communicate geologic knowledge, its application and its role in society among diverse groups and in diverse forms:
- critique and debate
- working in teams
- integrating diverse approaches, perspectives, and expertise
- scientific writing
- scientific oral presentation
- professional ethics
- graphical representations of observations and data
- Apply this knowledge and these skills to advanced systems-level thinking and problem solving of unresolved questions about the Earth and the geologic socio-economic challenges we face.
B.S. Geology (Geology subplan; 72 credits minimum) - Degree requirements checklist
Geology core courses (29 credits):
| Course | Credits | Offered |
| Choose two of: |
|
|
| GEOL 101 – The Earth | 4 | fall, spring |
| GEOL 103 – Intro Oceanography | 4 | fall, spring |
| GEOL 105 – Dynamic Earth | 4 | fall, spring |
| GEOG 110 – Intro Climate Science | 4 | fall, spring |
| GEOL 231 – Methods in Geosciences | 3 | spring |
| GEOL 285 – Environmental Geology | 3 | fall |
| GEOL 311 – Earth Materials and Environments | 4 | fall |
| GEOL 351 - Skills and Methods in Earth History Studies | 1 | spring |
| GEOL 394LI – Earth History: Life, Climate, Environment* | 3 | spring |
| GEOG 354 – Climate Dynamics | 3 | spring |
| GEOL 431 – Structural Geology | 4 | fall |
* fulfills Integrative Experience requirement
Supporting science courses (27 credits):
| Course | Credits | Offered |
| CHEM 111 – General Chemistry I | 4 | fall, spring |
| CHEM 112 – General Chemistry II | 4 | fall, spring |
| MATH 127 or 131 – Calculus I** | 4 | fall, spring |
| MATH 128 or 132 – Calculus II** | 4 | fall, spring |
| PHYSICS 132 or 152 – Intro Physics II** | 4 | fall, spring |
| PHYSICS 152 – Intro Physics II** | 4 | fall, spring |
| NATSCI 387 – CNS Junior Year Writing | 3 | fall, spring |
** either sequence of calculus and physics is accepted; consult with your advisor
Electives (16 credits):
Choose from 300- and 400-level GEOLOGY courses, 500- and 600-level GEOSCI courses, and 300- to 600-level GEOGRAPHY courses in physical geography and GIST. Examples of elective courses include:
GEOL 321 - Petrology GEOSCI 531 – Tectonics GEOL 331 – Geologic Mapping GEOSCI 552 – Climate Change Impacts and Solution GEOL 415 – Intro to Geochemistry GEOSCI 554 – Ocean Dynamics GEOL 445 – Sedimentology GEOSCI 556 – Climate and Earth System Modeling GEOL 494LI – Living on Earth GEOSCI 557 – Coastal Processes GEOG 352 – Computer Mapping GEOSCI 558 – Paleoclimatology GEOG 426 – Remote Sensing GEOSCI 563 – Glacial Geology GEOG 468 – GIS & Spatial Analysis GEOSCI 571 – General Geophysics GEOG 560 - Geomorphology GEOSCI 572 – Environmental Geophysics GEOSCI 510 – Natural Hazards GEOSCI 587 – Hydrogeology Many Special Topics and Seminars are taught each semester and count towards electives credits. Additionally, GEOL 396 and GEOL 496 independent studies and GEOL 499P/T/T Honors Thesis Research credits count towards electives credits.
Recommended course sequence:
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | |
| First Year | GEOL 101, GEOL 103, GEOL 105 or GEOG 110 one or two of: CALC 127 or 131 CHEM 111 PHYSICS 131 or 151 | Remainder of GEOL 101, GEOL 103, GEOL 105 or GEOG 110 one or two of: CALC 128 or 132 CHEM 112 PHYSICS 132 or 152 |
| Sophomore | GEOL 285 remainder of: CALC 127 or 131 CHEM 111 PHYSICS 131 or 151 | GEOL 231 remainder of: CALC 128 or 132 CHEM 112 PHYSICS 132 or 15 |
| Junior | GEOL 311 NATSCI 387 or GEOL 307 Elective towards major (3-4 cr) | GEOL 351 lab GEOL 394LI GEOG 354 Elective towards major (3-4 cr) |
| Senior | GEOL 431 Elective towards major (6-8 cr) | Elective towards major (remaining electives credits) |
For more information visit https://www.umass.edu/earth-geography-climate/undergraduate-programs