Geology

Dr. David Grandstaff, Chair

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

The Department of Earth and Environmental Science offers both a B.S. and a B.A. in Geology.

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 Geology

Bachelor of arts major requirements

General Chemistry I with lab; Calculus I; calculus-based Physics I; Earth & Environmental Science 2001, Earth & Environmental Science 2011, Earth & Environmental Science 3021, five upper-division Earth & Environmental Science electives of which at least two must be writing intensive; and three of the following science foundation electives: Biology 1111, Biology 2112, Chemistry 1032/1034, Chemistry 2201/2203, Math 1042, Math 2031 or Physics 1062.

Writing Intensive Requirement for Bachelor of arts

Students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses as part of the major.  Following is a list of courses that can be used to satisfy the writing-intensive requirement: Earth & Environmental Science 4096, Earth & Environmental Science 4197 and Earth & Environmental Science 4997.

*Earth & Environmental Science Electives

Earth & Environmental Science electives must be above 2000, and at least two of the Earth & Environmental Science electives must be writing-intensive courses.

^Science Foundation electives

B.S. in Geology

Bachelor of science major requirements

Calculus I; General Chemistry I with lab; Calculus-based Physics I; Earth & Environmental Science 2001, Earth & Environmental Science 2011, Earth & Environmental Science 2020-2029, Earth & Environmental Science 3001-3009, Earth & Environmental Science 3020-3025, Earth & Environmental Science 4096-4099, Earth & Environmental Science 4197 and Earth & Environmental Science 4589 (Field Geology) which is taken during the summer; three upper-division Earth & Environmental Science electives (two of the three can be replaced with upper-level science electives); three science foundation electives.

Writing Intensive Requirement for Bachelor of Science

Students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses as part of the major.  Following is a list of courses that can be used to satisfy the writing-intensive requirement:  Earth & Environmental Science 4096, Earth & Environmental Science 4197 and Earth & Environmental Science 4997.

^Science Foundation electives

*Science Upper Level Electives

The following is the list of courses that you can select from to fulfill the science upper-level electives: Biology 2112 or higher; Chemistry 2201/2203 or higher; Earth & Environmental Science 2000+ or higher; Mathematics 2043 or higher and Physics 1062 or higher.  Science Foundation Electives (SFE) and Science Upper-Level Electives (SUE) courses can not be double-counted.

Earth & Environmental Science electives must be above 2000, and at least two must be writing intensive.  At most, one of the Earth & Environmental Science electives and SUEs may be a graduate-level course.

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:

• Earth & Environmental Science 1001 with lab or 2001 with lab
• Chemistry 1021/1023 or Chemistry 1031/1033
• Mathematics 1011 or Mathematics 1041
• Earth & Environmental Science electives numbered above 2001, with a total of 16 or more credits, chosen with the approval of the undergraduate Earth & Environmental Science 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 web site:

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 Earth & Environmental Science advisor approve the proposal, the student may register for 3 hours of Earth & Environmental Science 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 Geology.