Geoscience B.S.
Minimum Requirements for Geoscience, B.S.: 123 credits
Concentrations: Geology, Geophysics, Geospatial Sciences, and Paleontology
Students must earn a C- grade or better in each course.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General University Requirements | ||
| Complete the general university requirements. | ||
| General Education Requirements | ||
| Complete the general education requirements. | 36-40 | |
| As part of the general education requirements, complete the following: | ||
| General Chemistry I | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| B.S. Degree Requirements | ||
| Complete the B.S. degree requirements. | 15 | |
| Geoscience Program Requirements | ||
| Complete the following: | ||
| GEOS F101X | The Dynamic Earth | 4 |
| GEOS F112X | The History of Earth and Life | 4 |
| GEOS F309 | Tectonics | 3 |
| Concentration | ||
| Complete one of the following: | 61-71 | |
Geology | ||
Geophysics | ||
Geospatial Sciences | ||
Paleontology | ||
| Total Credits | 123-137 | |
Concentrations
Geology
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Geology Concentration Requirements | ||
| Complete the following: | ||
| CHEM F106X | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| GEOS F213 | Mineralogy | 4 |
| GEOS F214 | Petrology and Petrography | 4 |
| GEOS F225 | Field and Computer Methods in Geology | 2 |
| GEOS F304 | Geomorphology | 3 |
| GEOS F314 | Structural Geology | 4 |
| GEOS F315 | Paleobiology and Paleontology | 4 |
| GEOS F322 | Stratigraphy and Sedimentation | 4 |
| GEOS F430 | Statistics and Data Analysis in Geology | 3 |
| GEOS F454 | Field Geology 1,2 | 6 |
| PHYS F123X | College Physics I | 4 |
| or PHYS F211X | General Physics I | |
| PHYS F124X | College Physics II | 4 |
| or PHYS F212X | General Physics II | |
| STAT F200X | Elementary Statistics | 3 |
| or STAT F300 | Statistics | |
| Complete 12 additional credits of upper-division GEOS courses or other upper-division courses approved by the undergraduate advisor including one course from the following: | 12 | |
| Paleontological Research and Laboratory Methods | ||
| Oral Communication Skills for Geoscientists | ||
| Research Design, Writing and Presentation Methods | ||
| Total Credits | 61 | |
- 1
GEOS F454 is offered at UAF during the summer. It is taken 3 credits at a time over 2 summers. Students may substitute a 6-credit field geology class at another institution. The geosciences undergraduate advisor will assist students in placement in an approved field geology class.
- 2
Fulfills the baccalaureate capstone requirement.
Geophysics
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Geophysics Concentration Requirements | ||
| Complete the following: | ||
| GEOS F262 | Rocks and Minerals | 3 |
| GEOS F375 | Oral Communication Skills for Geoscientists | 1 |
| GEOS F406 | Volcanology | 3 |
| GEOS F419 | Solid Earth Geophysics | 3 |
| GEOS F431 | Foundations of Geophysics | 4 |
| GEOS F477 | Ice in the Climate System | 3 |
| GEOS F483 | Research Design, Writing and Presentation Methods | 3 |
| GEOS F488 | Undergraduate Research 2 | 2 |
| MATH F252X | Calculus II | 4 |
| MATH F253X | Calculus III | 4 |
| MATH F302 | Differential Equations | 3 |
| MATH F314 | Linear Algebra | 3 |
| PHYS F211X and PHYS F212X | General Physics I and General Physics II | 8 |
| PHYS F213X | Elementary Modern Physics | 4 |
| PHYS F220 | Introduction to Computational Physics | 4 |
| Complete two of the following science and engineering electives or undergraduate advisor-approved substitute: | 6-8 | |
| Mechanics of Materials | ||
| Fluid Mechanics | ||
| Structural Geology | ||
| Stratigraphy and Sedimentation | ||
| Geoscience Applications of Remote Sensing | ||
| Heat Transfer | ||
| Introduction to Mathematical Physics | ||
| Classical Physics I: Particle Mechanics | ||
| Complete 6 additional credits of upper-division GEOS courses or other upper-division courses approved by the undergraduate advisor. | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 64-66 | |
- 2
Fulfills the baccalaureate capstone requirement.
Geospatial Sciences
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Geospatial Sciences Concentration Requirements | ||
| Complete the following: | ||
| CHEM F106X | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| GEOS F213 | Mineralogy | 4 |
| GEOS F214 | Petrology and Petrography | 4 |
| GEOS F225 | Field and Computer Methods in Geology | 2 |
| GEOS F304 | Geomorphology | 3 |
| GEOS F314 | Structural Geology | 4 |
| GEOS F322 | Stratigraphy and Sedimentation | 4 |
| GEOS F430 | Statistics and Data Analysis in Geology | 3 |
| GEOS F454 | Field Geology 1,2 | 6 |
| NRM F338 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| PHYS F123X | College Physics I | 4 |
| or PHYS F211X | General Physics I | |
| PHYS F124X | College Physics II | 4 |
| or PHYS F212X | General Physics II | |
| STAT F200X | Elementary Statistics | 3 |
| or STAT F300 | Statistics | |
| Electives | ||
| Remote sensing electives | ||
| Complete at least two of the following: | 4-7 | |
| Geoscience Applications of Remote Sensing | ||
| Undergraduate Research | ||
| Natural Resource Applications of Remote Sensing | ||
| GIS electives | ||
| Complete the following: | 6 | |
| Big Geospatial Data | ||
GIS course | Advisor-approved, 3 credits | |
| Complete 9 additional credits of upper-division GEOS courses or other upper-division courses approved by the undergraduate advisor including one course from the following: | 9 | |
| Paleontological Research and Laboratory Methods | ||
| Oral Communication Skills for Geoscientists | ||
| Research Design, Writing and Presentation Methods | ||
| Complete the following: | ||
| GEOS F315 | Paleobiology and Paleontology | 4 |
| Total Credits | 71-74 | |
- 1
GEOS F454 is offered at UAF during the summer. It is taken 3 credits at a time over 2 summers. Students may substitute a 6-credit field geology class at another institution. The geosciences undergraduate advisor will assist students in placement in an approved field geology class.
- 2
Fulfills the baccalaureate capstone requirement.
Paleontology
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Paleontology Concentration Requirements | ||
| Complete the following: | ||
| CHEM F106X | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| GEOS F213 | Mineralogy | 4 |
| GEOS F214 | Petrology and Petrography | 4 |
| GEOS F225 | Field and Computer Methods in Geology | 2 |
| GEOS F314 | Structural Geology | 4 |
| GEOS F315 | Paleobiology and Paleontology | 4 |
| GEOS F317 | Paleontological Research and Laboratory Methods | 2 |
| GEOS F322 | Stratigraphy and Sedimentation | 4 |
| GEOS F454 | Field Geology 1,2 | 6 |
| GEOS F430 | Statistics and Data Analysis in Geology | 3 |
| PHYS F123X | College Physics I | 4 |
| or PHYS F211X | General Physics I | |
| STAT F200X | Elementary Statistics | 3 |
| or STAT F300 | Statistics | |
| Complete at least two from the following electives: | 5-7 | |
| Palynology and Paleopalynology | ||
| Mass Extinctions, Neocatastrophism and the History of Life | ||
| Vertebrate Paleontology | ||
| Undergraduate Research | ||
| Complete the requirements for a minor in biological sciences | 20 | |
| Total Credits | 69-71 | |
- 1
GEOS F454 is offered at UAF during the summer. It is taken 3 credits at a time over 2 summers. Students may substitute a 6-credit field geology class at another institution. The geosciences undergraduate advisor will assist students in placement in an approved field geology class.
- 2
Fulfills the baccalaureate capstone requirement.
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes are measurable statements that describe knowledge or skills achieved by students upon completion of the program.
Students graduating from this program will be able to:
- Upon completion of introductory courses (GEOS F101X and GEOS F112X), demonstrate understanding of basic geologic concepts, including: a) plate tectonics; b) geologic time; c) structure and composition of the Earth; and d) 3-D visualization
- Apply the scientific method to geologic questions and demonstrate hands-on experience with geologic tools and techniques in the lab and/or in the field
- Demonstrate skills in written and oral communication consistent with professional standard
- Students seeking employment or continued education in geoscience or related fields will be employed or admitted to graduate programs within one year of graduation
