The Major:Advisers:
Basis: 111 (Introduction to Earth Processes and History) or 118 (Oceanography) Requirements: Eight semester courses above the basis and including the following: 221-Mineralogy, 222-Petrology, 231-Paleontology, 232-Sedimentology, 241-Structure, 251-Geomorphology, and two additional courses at the advanced level (one of which must be 361-Tectonics). Majors planning for graduate school will need introductory courses in other basic sciences and mathematics. Prospective majors should see a departmental advisor as early as possible. A summer field course is strongly recommended for all majors and is
a requirement for admission to some graduate programs. Majors may petition
the department to have a summer field course substitute for the requirement
of a second advanced-level course. The Minor:Many emphases are possible within the geology minor. For example, a student interested in earth processes and history might take 111, 231, 232, 251, 361 and an elective course. A student concerned about environmental and resource issues might take 111, 108, 109, 221, 232 and 309. Students contemplating a minor in geology should see a departmental adviser as early as possible to develop a minor course program. This program must be submitted to the department for approval no later than the beginning of the senior year.Requirements: Six semester courses including 111 or 108 and a total of no more than
three courses at the 100 level. Honors:Director: Current Class Advisor430d Thesis: 8 credits 432d Thesis: 12 credits Basis: 111 or 108 Requirements: Seven semester courses above the basis and including the following:
221, 222, 231, 232, 241, 251 and 361. An honors project (430d or 432d)
pursued during the senior year. Entrance by the beginning of the first
semester year. Presentation and defense of the thesis. See Geology Honors Guidelines. Field ExperiencesThe department regularly sponsors an interterm course. Normally the course takes place one year in the Bahamas and the following year in Death Valley, California. The Bahamas course concentrates on modern and ancient coral reefs and carbonate environments and utilizes the facilities of the Bahamian Field Station on San Salvador Island. The Death Valley course focuses on the currently active structural and geomophologic processes responsible for Death Valley's present landscape.The geology department is a member of the Keck Geology Consortium, a group of 12 liberal arts colleges funded by the Keck Foundation to sponsor cooperative student/faculty summer research projects at locations throughout the United States and abroad. |