Geology

Dr. David Grandstaff, Chair

Dr. Dennis Terry, Advisor
Beury Hall, Room 221
215-204-8226
dennis.terry@temple.edu

The Department of Geology offers two different undergraduate programs, one leading to the B.S. in Geology and the other leading to the B.A. in Earth Science.

The B.S. program prepares students for immediate entry into a career in geology or for graduate studies. Career opportunities for geologists in industry and government include planning for the environment, evaluation of waste disposal sites, monitoring of groundwater, and exploration for natural resources. The B.S. program is excellent preparation for graduate study and ultimately for a career in research, teaching, industry, or government.

The B.A. program is not intended for prospective geologists. The B.A. program is suitable for pre-medicine or pre-law students or for students planning to teach earth science in secondary school.

A departmental field trip for undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty will be conducted during the fall semester.

B.A. in Earth Science

First semester of introductory or general chemistry with lab, College Math or Calculus I, and the following Geology courses: 1001, 4197, and three geology electives from the following five:  Geology 2011, Geology 2021, Geology 2022, Geology 2061, Geology 3021.  Five additional science electives must be chosen, with no more than three from the same department:  Three courses must be numbered 2000 or above.  These electives must be taken from the list of science electives given below.

*Geology Electives

^Science electives

B.S. in Geology

Calculus I, II; General Chemistry I, II w/ labs; Calculus-based Physics I, II; Geology 1001, Geology 2011, Geology 2021, Geology 2022, Geology 2061, Geology 3001, Geology 4096.  In addition, Field Geology (Geology 4589) taken in the summer; and three upper-level science or mathematics electives, at least one of which must be in a discipline other than geology.

*The three required electives must within science or math at the 2000 level or above.  Of the three upper-level Science/Math electives required, at least one must be in a discipline other than Geology. One may be from the graduate level with permission of the instructor.

Minor

Students interested in acquiring a basic knowledge of Geology but not wishing to major in Geology may pursue a minor in Geology by successfully completing the following courses:

• Geology 1001 w/ lab or 2001 w/ lab
• Chemistry 1021/1023 or Chemistry 1031/1033
• Mathematics 1011 or Mathematics 1041
• Geology electives numbered above 2001, with a total of 16 or more credits, chosen with the approval of the Undergraduate Geology Advisor.

Five-year Master's Program

Five-Year Combined B.A. or B.S. and Ed.M. Program

This is a combined program between the College of Science and Technology and the College of Education.  For more information, see the following website:

www.temple.edu/bulletin/Academic_programs/schools_colleges/ed/intro/generalinfo/ed_generalinfo.shtm#teacher

Senior Research Project

Students whose cumulative GPA is at least 3.25 at the end of the first semester of their junior year are eligible to undertake a senior research project. In the second semester of their junior year, students must select a faculty research advisor and, with the advisor, prepare a written research proposal. After the research advisor and the undergraduate geology advisor approve the proposal, the student may register for 3 hours of Geology 4082 (Individual Study Program), in the summer and each semester of the senior year (up to a total of 9 hours), to carry out the research project. Normally, the project will involve field or laboratory work in the summer between the junior and senior years and lead to presentation of the results at a departmental seminar at the end of the senior year.

Distinction in Major

To graduate with Distinction in Major, students are required to achieve a 3.5 GPA for the aggregate of courses required for the B.S. in Geology or the B.A. in Earth Science.