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.
Required courses and recommended degree progression
Below are the courses required to complete the BS degree in Geology at UMass. Although some courses have prerequisites, there is no requirement that you complete a particular course in a particular semester. Nonetheless, you are advised to follow the recommended course sequence as best your circumstances allow. There is, of course, a great deal of flexibility offered for students who enter the major as sophomores or transfer students from other institutions. Contact the Geology Major Advisor if you have any questions.
|
|
Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
|---|---|---|
| First Year |
First-Year Seminar (choose with your advisor) GEOL 101 or GEOL 131 plus GEOL 103*, GEOL 105* or GEOG 110* one or two of: CHEM 111 either CALC 127 or 131 either PHYSICS 131 or 151** |
If not taken in Fall GEOL 101 or GEOL 131 plus GEOL 103*, GEOL 105* or GEOG 110* one or two of: CHEM 112 either CALC 128 or 132 either PHYSICS 132 or 152 |
| Sophomore |
remainder of: CHEM 111 either MATH 127 or 131** either PHYSICS 131 or 151** |
GEOL 201 GEOL 231 remainder of: CHEM 112 either CALC 128 or 132 either PHYSICS 132 or 152 |
| Junior |
GEOL 311 GEOL 331 |
GEOL 321 Elective towards major (3-4 cr) |
| Senior |
GEOL 431 GEOL 445 GEOL 494LI Elective towards major (3-4 cr) |
Elective towards major (remaining credits) |
*Note that students who take GEOL 103, GEOL 105 or GEOG 110 are required to also complete GEOL 131.
**Students should work with their advisor to choose which course of Calculus and Physics is right for them; the MATH 131/132 and Physics 151/152 sequences are recommended.
The Courses:
- GEOL 101 - The Earth
- GEOL 103 - Oceanography
- GEOL 105 - Dynamic Earth
- GEOG 110 - Global Environmental Change
- GEOL 131 - Experiencing Geology
- GEOL 201 - History of the Earth
- GEOL 231 - Methods in Geosciences
- GEOL 285 - Environmental Geology
- GEOL 311 - Mineralogy
- GEOL 321 - Petrology
- GEOL 331 - Geologic Mapping
- GEOL 431 - Structural Geology
- GEOL 445 - Sedimentology
- GEOL 494LI - Living on Earth Integrative Experience
Elective courses
Electives allow you to develop specialized knowledge and skills in the aspects of the Geosciences that most interest you and help you fulfill your future goals. Students in the BS-Geology major complete at least 12 credits of courses chosen from a wide array of undergraduate- and graduate-level elective courses. You should work with your advisor to select electives that best appeal to your interests and career plans. You are also encouraged to develop your own research-experience elective course as an Independent Studyor Senior Thesis Projectin coordination with a faculty advisor.
Some of the electives offered for the Geology Major include:
GEOG 352 - Computer Mapping
GEOG 354 - Climate Dynamics
GEOL 415 - Introduction to Geochemistry
GEOG 426 - Remote Sensing and Image Interpretation
GEOG 468 - GIS and Spatial Analysis
GEOSCI 510 - Natural Hazards
GEOSCI 519 - Aqueous and Environmental Geochemistry
GEOSCI 531 - Tectonics
GEOSCI 558 - Paleoclimatology
GEOSCI 560 - Geomorphology
GEOSCI 563 - Glacial Geology
GEOSCI 571 - General Geophysics
GEOSCI 573 - Environmental Geophysics
GEOSCI 587 - Hydrogeology
...and several others.
Note that most electives are offered once each year or every other year. Consult the Department of Earth, Geographic, and Climate Sciences multi-year course schedule to determine when an elective will next be offered.
Related Degree Programs
The Undergraduate Geology Program also offers degrees in:
- BS-Geology (earth science subplan)
- BA-Geology
- BS-Geology with Departmental Honors
as well as a minor in Geology.
Please consult with the Geology Major advisor for more information about these.
The Bachelor of Science Degree in Geology (Geology track)
For those interested in studying geology with a strong scientific foundation, leading to a professional career in geological sciences.
The Bachelor of Science Degree in Geology (Earth Science track)
For those interested in teaching earth sciences; the earth sciences track fulfills Standard I (field of knowledge) requirements of the Secondary Teacher Education Program (STEP) leading to Earth Science Teacher Certification in Massachusetts.
The Bachelor of Arts Degree in Geology
For those with an interest in geology in the context of a more broadly based liberal arts education. Recommended for students interested in a double major.