Geoscience B.S.

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Minimum Requirements for Geoscience, B.S.: 123 credits

Concentrations: Geology, GeophysicsGeospatial Sciences, and Paleontology 

Students must earn a C- grade or better in each course.

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 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

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
Paleontological Research and Laboratory Methods
Oral Communication Skills for Geoscientists
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

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
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 Credits64-66
2

Fulfills the baccalaureate capstone requirement.

Geospatial Sciences

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
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 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

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
Palynology and Paleopalynology
Mass Extinctions, Neocatastrophism and the History of Life
Vertebrate Paleontology
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.

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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