Geoscience B.S.

Catalog Department Overview ►

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.

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:
CHEM F105X
General Chemistry I
MATH F251X
Calculus I
B.S. Degree Requirements
Complete the B.S. degree requirements.15
Geoscience Program Requirements
Complete the following:
GEOS F101XThe Dynamic Earth4
GEOS F112XThe History of Earth and Life4
GEOS F309Tectonics3
Concentration
Complete one of the following:61-71
Geology
Geophysics
Geospatial Sciences
Paleontology
Total Credits123-137

Concentrations

 Geology

Credits
Geology Concentration Requirements
Complete the following:
CHEM F106XGeneral Chemistry II4
GEOS F213Mineralogy4
GEOS F214Petrology and Petrography4
GEOS F225Field and Computer Methods in Geology2
GEOS F304Geomorphology3
GEOS F314Structural Geology4
GEOS F315Paleobiology and Paleontology4
GEOS F322Stratigraphy and Sedimentation4
GEOS F430Statistics and Data Analysis in Geology3
GEOS F454Field Geology 1,26
PHYS F123XCollege Physics I4
or PHYS F211X General Physics I
PHYS F124XCollege Physics II4
or PHYS F212X General Physics II
STAT F200XElementary Statistics3
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
GEOS F317
Paleontological Research and Laboratory Methods
GEOS F375
Oral Communication Skills for Geoscientists
GEOS F483
Research Design, Writing and Presentation Methods
Total Credits61
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

Credits
Geophysics Concentration Requirements
Complete the following:
GEOS F262Rocks and Minerals3
GEOS F375Oral Communication Skills for Geoscientists1
GEOS F406Volcanology3
GEOS F419Solid Earth Geophysics3
GEOS F431Foundations of Geophysics4
GEOS F477Ice in the Climate System3
GEOS F483Research Design, Writing and Presentation Methods3
GEOS F488Undergraduate Research 22
MATH F252XCalculus II4
MATH F253XCalculus III4
MATH F302Differential Equations3
MATH F314Linear Algebra3
PHYS F211X
and PHYS F212X		General Physics I
and General Physics II		8
PHYS F213XElementary Modern Physics4
PHYS F220Introduction to Computational Physics4
Complete two of the following science and engineering electives or undergraduate advisor-approved substitute:6-8
ES F331
Mechanics of Materials
ES F341
Fluid Mechanics
GEOS F314
Structural Geology
GEOS F322
Stratigraphy and Sedimentation
GEOS F422
Geoscience Applications of Remote Sensing
ME F441
Heat Transfer
PHYS F301
Introduction to Mathematical Physics
PHYS F341
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 Credits64-66
2

Fulfills the baccalaureate capstone requirement.

Geospatial Sciences

Credits
Geospatial Sciences Concentration Requirements
Complete the following:
CHEM F106XGeneral Chemistry II4
GEOS F213Mineralogy4
GEOS F214Petrology and Petrography4
GEOS F225Field and Computer Methods in Geology2
GEOS F304Geomorphology3
GEOS F314Structural Geology4
GEOS F322Stratigraphy and Sedimentation4
GEOS F430Statistics and Data Analysis in Geology3
GEOS F454Field Geology 1,26
NRM F338Introduction to Geographic Information Systems3
PHYS F123XCollege Physics I4
or PHYS F211X General Physics I
PHYS F124XCollege Physics II4
or PHYS F212X General Physics II
STAT F200XElementary Statistics3
or STAT F300 Statistics
Electives
Remote sensing electives
Complete at least two of the following:4-7
GEOS F422
Geoscience Applications of Remote Sensing
GEOS F488
Undergraduate Research
NRM F641
Natural Resource Applications of Remote Sensing
GIS electives
Complete the following:6
GEOS F458
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
GEOS F317
Paleontological Research and Laboratory Methods
GEOS F375
Oral Communication Skills for Geoscientists
GEOS F483
Research Design, Writing and Presentation Methods
Complete the following:
GEOS F315Paleobiology and Paleontology4
Total Credits71-74
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

Credits
Paleontology Concentration Requirements
Complete the following:
CHEM F106XGeneral Chemistry II4
GEOS F213Mineralogy4
GEOS F214Petrology and Petrography4
GEOS F225Field and Computer Methods in Geology2
GEOS F314Structural Geology4
GEOS F315Paleobiology and Paleontology4
GEOS F317Paleontological Research and Laboratory Methods2
GEOS F322Stratigraphy and Sedimentation4
GEOS F454Field Geology 1,26
GEOS F430Statistics and Data Analysis in Geology3
PHYS F123XCollege Physics I4
or PHYS F211X General Physics I
STAT F200XElementary Statistics3
or STAT F300 Statistics
Complete at least two from the following electives:5-7
GEOS F453
Palynology and Paleopalynology
GEOS F485
Mass Extinctions, Neocatastrophism and the History of Life
GEOS F486
Vertebrate Paleontology
GEOS F488
Undergraduate Research
Complete the requirements for a minor in biological sciences20
Total Credits69-71
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.

Catalog Department Overview ►

Roadmaps

Roadmaps provide suggested semester-by-semester study plans for programs and are based on full-time enrollment, unless otherwise specified.

  • This roadmap should be used in conjunction with regular academic advising sessions. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor or mentor each semester.
  • Certain courses and milestones must be completed in the specified semester to ensure on-time graduation.
  • Transfer credits may affect the roadmap.
  • Requirements, course availability, and sequencing may change.
  • Courses marked with (*) are recommended.

Geology Concentration

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
CHEM F105X74CHEM F106X7,224 
GEOS F101X204GEOS F112X204 
MATH F251X64LS F101X151 
WRTG F111X13STAT F200X or F30016,223 
 General Education Requirement - Arts3 
 15 15 
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
GEOS F213224GEOS F214224 
PHYS F123X or F211X17,224GEOS F225222 
General Education Requirement - Humanities3PHYS F124X or F212X17,224 
Complete one of the following:13General Education Requirement - Social Sciences3 
General Education Requirement - Social Sciences3 
  
  
Complete one of the following:13  
  
  
  
  
 17 16 
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
GEOS F30920,253GEOS F30422,253GEOS F45421,22,256
GEOS F31522,254GEOS F31422,254 
GEOS F32222,254Degree Requirement - Alaska Native-themed3 
General Education Requirement - Additional Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences3Degree Requirement - Ethics253 
 14 13 6
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
Concentration Course253GEOS F43022,253 
General Elective3Concentration Course253 
General Elective3Concentration Course253 
Complete one of the following:22,253General Elective3 
General Elective3 
  
  
 12 15 
Total Credits 123

Footnote Definitions

General Education Requirements Degree Requirements Program & Other Requirements
1--Communication 8--Alaska Native-themed 20--Program Requirement
2--Arts 9--Communication 21--Capstone Requirement
3--Humanities 10--Computation 22--Concentration Course
4--Social Sciences 11--Ethics 23--General Elective
5--Additional Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences 12--Humanities 24--Minor Course
6--Mathematics 13--Human Relations 25--Upper Division
7--Natural Sciences 14--Humanities or Social Sciences 26--Program Elective
15--Library & Information Research
16--Mathematics
17--Natural Sciences
18--Other
19--Social Sciences

Geophysics Concentration

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CHEM F105X74GEOS F112X74
GEOS F101X204LS F101X151
MATH F251X64MATH F252X16,224
WRTG F111X13General Education Requirement - Arts3
 General Education Requirement - Humanities3
 15 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
GEOS F262223GEOS F225 (*)232
MATH F253X224MATH F30222,253
PHYS F211X17,224PHYS F212X17,224
General Elective1General Education Requirement - Social Sciences3
Complete one of the following:13General Education Requirement - Social Sciences3
Complete one of the following:13
 
 
 15 18
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
GEOS F30920,253GEOS F40622,253
GEOS F37522,251MATH F31422,253
GEOS F47722,253PHYS F220224
PHYS F213X7,224Degree Requirement - Alaska Native-themed3
General Education Requirement - Additional Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences3Degree Requirement - Ethics253
 14 16
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
GEOS F41922,253Concentration Course253
GEOS F43122,254Concentration Course253
GEOS F48322,253Concentration Course253
GEOS F48821,22,252General Elective3
Concentration Course253General Elective3
 15 15
Total Credits 123

Footnote Definitions

General Education Requirements Degree Requirements Program & Other Requirements
1--Communication 8--Alaska Native-themed 20--Program Requirement
2--Arts 9--Communication 21--Capstone Requirement
3--Humanities 10--Computation 22--Concentration Course
4--Social Sciences 11--Ethics 23--General Elective
5--Additional Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences 12--Humanities 24--Minor Course
6--Mathematics 13--Human Relations 25--Upper Division
7--Natural Sciences 14--Humanities or Social Sciences 26--Program Elective
15--Library & Information Research
16--Mathematics
17--Natural Sciences
18--Other
19--Social Sciences

Geospatial Sciences Concentration

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
CHEM F105X74CHEM F106X7,224 
GEOS F101X204GEOS F112X204 
MATH F251X64LS F101X151 
WRTG F111X13STAT F200X or F30016,223 
 General Education Requirement - Arts3 
 15 15 
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
GEOS F213224GEOS F214224 
PHYS F123X or F211X17,224GEOS F225222 
General Education Requirement - Humanities3PHYS F124X or F212X17,224 
Complete one of the following:13General Education Requirement - Social Sciences3 
General Education Requirement - Social Sciences3 
  
  
Complete one of the following:13  
  
  
  
  
 17 16 
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
GEOS F30920,253GEOS F30422,253GEOS F45421,22,256
GEOS F31522,254GEOS F31422,254 
GEOS F32222,254Degree Requirement - Alaska Native-themed3 
General Education Requirement - Additional Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences3Degree Requirement - Ethics253 
General Elective1General Elective2 
 15 15 6
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
GEOS F317, F375, or F48322,253GEOS F422, F488, or NRM F64122,253 
GEOS F45822,253GEOS F422, F488, or NRM F64122,253 
NRM F33822,253GEOS F43022,253 
Concentration Course253Concentration Course3 
Concentration Course253General Elective3 
 15 15 
Total Credits 129

Footnote Definitions

General Education Requirements Degree Requirements Program & Other Requirements
1--Communication 8--Alaska Native-themed 20--Program Requirement
2--Arts 9--Communication 21--Capstone Requirement
3--Humanities 10--Computation 22--Concentration Course
4--Social Sciences 11--Ethics 23--General Elective
5--Additional Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences 12--Humanities 24--Minor Course
6--Mathematics 13--Human Relations 25--Upper Division
7--Natural Sciences 14--Humanities or Social Sciences 26--Program Elective
15--Library & Information Research
16--Mathematics
17--Natural Sciences
18--Other
19--Social Sciences

Paleontology Concentration

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
CHEM F105X74CHEM F106X7,224 
GEOS F101X204GEOS F112X204 
MATH F251X64LS F101X151 
WRTG F111X13STAT F200X or F30016,223 
 General Education Requirement - Arts3 
 15 15 
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
GEOS F213224BIOL F115X17,22,244 
PHYS F123X or F211X224GEOS F214224 
General Education Requirement - Humanities3GEOS F225222 
Complete one of the following:13General Education Requirement - Social Sciences3 
General Education Requirement - Social Sciences3 
  
  
Complete one of the following:13  
  
  
  
  
 17 16 
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
BIOL F116X17,22,244GEOS F31422,254GEOS F45421,22,256
GEOS F30920,253GEOS F31722,252 
GEOS F31522,254General Education Requirement - Additional Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences3 
GEOS F32222,254Degree Requirement - Alaska Native-themed3 
 Degree Requirement - Ethics253 
 15 15 6
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
BIOL F26022,244GEOS F43022,253 
Concentration Course253Concentration Course253 
General Elective252Concentration Course3 
Complete one of the following:22,243-4General Elective253 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 12-13 12 
Total Credits 123-124

Footnote Definitions

General Education Requirements Degree Requirements Program & Other Requirements
1--Communication 8--Alaska Native-themed 20--Program Requirement
2--Arts 9--Communication 21--Capstone Requirement
3--Humanities 10--Computation 22--Concentration Course
4--Social Sciences 11--Ethics 23--General Elective
5--Additional Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences 12--Humanities 24--Minor Course
6--Mathematics 13--Human Relations 25--Upper Division
7--Natural Sciences 14--Humanities or Social Sciences 26--Program Elective
15--Library & Information Research
16--Mathematics
17--Natural Sciences
18--Other
19--Social Sciences

Catalog Department Overview ►

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes are specific, measurable statements that define the knowledge and skills students will gain by the end of the program.

Graduates of 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