Degree. B.S. in geology, geological engineering,
geophysics, environmental earth science, or in one of four
double majors.
To complete a degree program in four years, students
beginning any of the department's majors should take MATH
1210 and CHEM 1210 during the first semester. Only strong
training in math and science in high school will assure that
freshmen are able to begin with these courses.
Students who do not take MATH 1210 and CHEM 1210 during
the first semester may require more than four years to earn
the degree. The student who needs preparatory courses may be
able to complete the degree requirements in four years by
taking heavier loads or by attending summer sessions. It is
important that GEO 1110, 1115; PHYS 2210, 2220, 2215, 2225;
CHEM 1210,1220, 1215, 1225; and MATH 1210, 1220, (2210) and
2250 sequences be completed early, because these courses are
prerequisites for subsequent courses in the department.
Following is a suggested schedule incorporating the core
course requirements, the University's Intellectual
Exploration requirements and writing courses required of all
majors in the department. (Note: Some undergraduate courses
and degree requirements are currently under revision. Please
consult department).
Environmental Earth Science Major - Premedical
Option. Students enrolled in a premedical program may elect
this option which has a significant biological emphasis and
includes those courses required for application to medical
school. Interested students should consult the department
advisor for the Environmental Earth Science degree program
regarding the course requirements and suggested course
schedule for this option.
Geological Engineering Degree. The undergraduate
program in Geological Engineering is reviewed and accredited
by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the
Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology, Inc. This
degree program is designed for students who have the
aptitude to master engineering fundamentals, but who also
have the curiosity to apply their engineering training in
context of the physical earth. The mission of the
geological engineering program is to educate and train
through teaching, research, and service the critical
thinking and communication skills necessary for students and
faculty to contribute to the solutions to difficult
engineering problems within the context of the natural
earth. The program objectives are as follows:
(1) The students will be capable of utilizing their
backgrounds in engineering and earth science to contribute
to solutions to difficult engineering problems within the
context of the natural world. Students will be able to
analyze problems, design experiments, evaluate information,
and communicate results both individually and as part of a
team.
(2) The students will know and understand fundamentals
related to the two following aspects of geological
engineering: 1) fluid flow and contaminant transport in the
subsurface; and 2) geomechanics related to stability of
subsurface materials.
(3) The students will be educated in fundamental and
current issues in the above aspects of the geological
engineering profession, will know the steps required to
attain a career in geological engineering, and will be shown
the value of a desire for life-long learning within and
outside the geological engineering profession.
(4) The students will be educated within an environment
that fosters honesty, integrity, and a strong engineering
and work ethic.
Design experiences aimed at incorporating real-world
constraints into solutions to engineering problems are
integrated into the curriculum at various stages,
culminating in two capstone engineering design experiences
taught within the context of groundwater remediation and
geological hazards. Program graduates will have passed the
Fundamentals of Engineering examination, thereby allowing
them to immediately begin training for Professional
Engineering licensure upon graduation.
Earth Science Composite Teaching Major. This major
meets state requirements for Earth Science, Integrated
Science, and Physical Science teaching endorsements. It
provides students with the knowledge and skills to teach
Earth Science, Physical Science and Integrated Science. It
provides students with the knowledge and skills to build
upon the curricula described by the Utah State Office of
Education for the above programs. It provides students with
the knowledge of math, chemistry, physics, and biology
required to understand the earth sciences.
Earth Science Minor. The minor provides students
with a broad introduction to geology and associated
sciences. You may satisfy general education physical and
life science, quantitative intensive, and upper division
communication requirements. A minor in Earth Science
provides a way to diversify your background and apply
fundamental scientific principles in an interdisciplinary
way.
Requirements for the Earth Science Minor: GEO 1110
or GEO 1010, GEO 1115, GEO 1220. Electives: Six credit
hours from GEO 1000-level courses, six credit hours from GEO
3000-level courses. A grade of C- or better is required for
all courses in minor. A minimum of 12 credit hours in GEO
courses must be taken at the University of Utah.
Undergraduate Counseling. To help students
maintain high scholastic standards, the department has
appointed advisors to consult with them about their academic
progress. The student is assigned an advisor in the selected
degree field upon declaring a major. We recommend that
students consult their advisors at least twice each year.
Students in Geological Engineering must consult their
advisor at least once each year. Failure to do so will
result in dismissal from the degree program.
Scholastic Standards. The B.S. degree requires a
minimum overall GPA of 2.0 and a GPA of 2.25 in departmental
required and elective courses.
Grades of Credit or those of less than C- are not
acceptable in departmental or required courses. Grades of D
and Credit are accepted only in General Education courses or
in electives outside the department.
Students who drop below the minimum GPAs are put on
departmental probation until grades rise above the minimums.
Students who drop below 2.0 overall or 2.25 in the major may
be asked to leave the department.
Students who repeat any course more than once or who find
it necessary to repeat or withdraw from several courses will
be asked to give valid reasons for their actions.
Scholarships. Many scholarships or other forms of
financial aid are available to undergraduate students.
Application for departmental scholarships should be made to
the department. Applications for all other scholarships or
financial aid should be made directly to the Office of
Financial Aid and Scholarships.
Double Majors. Four double majors are available,
including geology-geophysics, geology-biology,
geology-chemistry, and geology-physics.
Students interested in the latter three double majors
should begin by consulting the undergraduate advisors of
both departments involved. Double majors receive two B.S.
degrees and must complete the core curricula and
requirements of both majors.
These majors are unrestricted upon entry, but majors must
maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.25 or better and earn at
least a C- grade in all courses required for the major.
Special Opportunities. Students are encouraged
during the junior and/or senior year to undertake an
undergraduate research project under the supervision of a
faculty member. In some cases, such research may be
financially supported by a grant to the faculty supervisor;
small research grants to students are available through the
University's Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP).
Students may also gain work experience by participating in
an internship program.
Geology
Requirements for the Major (93-94 hours)
Required Departmental Courses
GEO 1110 Introduction to Earth Systems (3) (core)
GEO 1115 Introduction to Earth Systems Lab (1) (core)
GEO 3080 Earth Materials I (4) (core)
GEO 3090 Earth Materials II (4) (core)
GEO 3060 Structural Geology and Tectonics (3) (core)
GEO 5760 Stratigraphy and Sedimentary Processes (4) (core)
GEO 3010 Geophysics (3) (core)
GEO 1220 Historical Geology (3)
GEO 4100 Petrography and Petrogenesis (3)
GEO 3180 Paleobiology (3)
GEO 5660 Geochemistry (3)
GEO 5350 Groundwater (3) or
GEO 5360 Fluid Dynamics of Earth Materials (3)
GEO 4500* Field Methods (3)
GEO 4510 Field Geology (4)
GEO 3XXX Elective 1 (3)
GEO 3XXX Elective 2 (3)
GEO 3XXX Elective 3 (3)
GEO 5XXX Elective 4 (3)
GEO 5XXX Elective 5 (3)
Total Hours: 59
----------------
*Satisfies University
communication/writing requirement
Other Required Courses
CHEM 1210 General Chemistry I (4)
CHEM 1220 General Chemistry II (4)
CHEM 1215 General Chemistry Lab I (1)
CHEM 1225 General Chemistry Lab II (1)
CP SC 1000 Engineering Computing (3) or
GEO 3400 Computational and Field Methods in Applied Geology
(3)
MATH 1210 Calculus I (4)
MATH 1220 Calculus II (4)
MATH 2250 ODE and Linear Algebra (3)
MET EN 3070 Statistical Methods (3) or
MATH 3070 Applied Statistics (4)
PHYS 2210 Physics for Scientists and Engineers (4)
PHYS 2220 Physics for Scientists and Engineers (4)
PHYS 2215 Physics Lab for Scientists and Engineers I (1)
PHYS 2225 Physics Lab for Scientists and Engineers II (1)
Total Hours: 37-38 T
otal Credits: 96-97
University Requirements: 24
Grand Total: 120-121
Model Program of Study
Freshman Year
Fall Semester
GEO 1110 Intro to Earth Systems (3)
GEO 1115 Intro to Earth Systems Lab (1)
MATH 1210 Calculus I (4)
CHEM 1210 General Chemistry I (4)
CHEM 1215 General Chem Lab I (1)
Gen Ed (3)
Total Hours: 16
Spring Semester
MATH 1220 Calculus II (4)
CHEM 1220 General Chemistry II (4)
CHEM 1225 General Chem Lab II (1)
Gen Ed (6) Total Hours: 15
Sophomore Year
Fall Semester
CP SC 1000 Engineering Computing (3) or
GEO 3400 Computational and Field Methods in Applied Geology
(3)
GEO 3080 Earth Materials I (4)
PHYS 2210 Physics for Sci and Eng (4)
PHYS 2215 Physics Lab for Scientists and Engineers I (1)
Gen Ed (3)
Total Hours: 15
Spring Semester
GEO 3090 Earth Materials II (4)
PHYS 2220 Physics for Sci and Eng (4)
PHYS 2225 Physics Lab for Scientists and Engineers II (1)
MATH 2250 ODE's and Linear Algebra (3)
GEO 1220 Historical Geology (3)
Total Hours: 15
Junior Year
Fall Semester
GEO 3010 Geophysics (3)
GEO 4100 Petrography/Petrogenesis (3)
GEO 5760 Stratig/Sed Processes (4)
MATH 3070 Applied Statistics (4) or
MET E 3070 Statistical Methods (3)
Total Hours: 13 or 14
Spring Semester
GEO 3060 Structural Geo/Tectonics (3)
GEO 3180 Paleobiology (3)
GEO 4500 Field Methods (3)
GEO 3XXX Elective (3)
Gen Ed (3)
Total Hours: 15
Summer Term
GEO 4510 Field Geology (4)
Total Hours: 4
Senior Year
Fall Semester
GEO 5350 Groundwater (3)
GEO 5660 Geochemistry (3)
GEO 3XXX Elective (3)
Other (3)
Total Hours: 12
Spring Semester
GEO 3XXX Elective (3)
Gen Ed (9)
Total Hours: 12
Geophysics
Requirements for the Major (108 hours)
Required Departmental Courses
GEO 1110 Introduction to Earth Systems (3) (core)
GEO 1115 Introduction to Earth Systems Lab (1) (core)
GEO 3080 Earth Materials I 4 (core)
GEO 3090 Earth Materials II 4 (core)
GEO 3060 Structural Geology and Tectonics (3) (core)
GEO 5760 Stratigraphy and Sedimentary Processes (4) (core)
GEO 3010 Geophysics (3) (core)
GEO 5210 Seismology I (3)
GEO 5220 Seismology II (3)
GEO 5230 Geophysical Fields I (3)
GEO 5240 Geophysical Fields II (3)
GEO 5250 Inversion Theory (3)
GEO 5260 Petrophysics and Well Logging (2)
GEO 4500* Field Methods (3) or
WRTG 3400 Professional Writing (3)
GEO 4510** Field Geology (4)
GEO 5XXX Elective 1 (3)
GEO 5XXX Elective 2 (3)
GEO 5XXX Elective 3 (3)
Total Hours: 55
------------------
*Satisfies University
communication/writing requirement
**Or another approved field course
Other Required Courses
CHEM 1210 General Chemistry I (4)
CHEM 1220 General Chemistry II (4)
CHEM 1215 General Chemistry Lab I (1)
CHEM 1225 General Chemistry Lab II (1)
MATH 1210 Calculus I (4)
MATH 1220 Calculus II (4)
MATH 2210 Calculus III (3)
MATH 2250 ODE and Linear Algebra (3)
MATH 3150 Partial Differential Equations (2)
MATH 5600 Survey of Numerical Analysis (4) or
GEO 5500 Numerical Methods in Geosciences (3)
MET E 3070 Statistical Methods (3) or
MATH 3070 Applied Statistics (4)
PHYS 2210 Physics for Scientists and Engineers (4)
PHYS 2220 Physics for Scientists and Engineers (4)
PHYS 2215 Physics Lab for Scientists and Engineers I (1)
PHYS 2225 Physics Lab for Scientists and Engineers II (1)
PHYS 3730 Introduction to Computing in Physics (3)
PHYS 5010 Theoretical Physics: Mechanics (3)
Total Hours: 53
Total Major Credits: 108
University Requirements: 24
Grand Total: 132
Model Program of Study
Freshman Year
Fall Semester
GEO 1110 Intro to Earth Systems (3)
GEO 1115 Intro to Earth Systems Lab (1)
MATH 1210 Calculus I (4)
CHEM 1210 General Chemistry I (4)
CHEM 1215 General Chem. Lab I (1)
Gen Ed (3)
Total Hours: 16
Spring Semester
MATH 1220 Calculus II (4)
CHEM 1220 General Chemistry II (4)
CHEM 1225 General Chem Lab II (1)
PHYS 3730 Intro Computing in Physics (3)
Gen Ed (3)
Total Hours: 15
Sophomore Year
Fall Semester
GEO 3080 Earth Materials I (4)
PHYS 2210 Physics for Sci and Eng (4)
PHYS 2215 Physics Lab for Scientists and Engineers I (1)
MATH 2210 Calculus III (3)
Gen Ed (3)
Total Hours: 15
Spring Semester
GEO 3090 Earth Materials II (4)
PHYS 2220 Physics for Sci and Eng (4)
PHYS 2225 Physics Lab for Scientists and Engineers II (1)
MATH 2250 ODE's and Linear Algebra (3)
Gen Ed (3)
Total Hours: 15
Junior Year
Fall Semester
GEO 3010 Geophysics (3)
GEO 5210 Seismology I (3)
MATH 3070 Applied Statistics (4) or
MET E 3070 Statistical Methods (3)
MATH 3150 PDE's for Engineers (2)
Gen Ed (3)
Total Hours: 14 or 15
Spring Semester
GEO 3060 Structural Geo/Tectonics (3)
GEO 5220 Seismology II (3)
GEO 4500 Field Methods (3)
MATH 5600 Numerical Analysis (4) or
GEO 5500 Numerical Methds in Geosciences (3)
Gen Ed (3)
Total Hours: 16
Summer Term
Elective Field Geology (4)
Total Hours: 4
Senior Year
Fall Semester
GEO 5230 Geophysical Fields I (3)
GEO 5250 Inversion Theory (3)
GEO 5760 Stratig & Sed Processes (4)
PHYS 5010 Theoretical Physics (3)
Gen Ed (3)
Total Hours: 16
Spring Semester
GEO 5240 Geophysical Fields II (3)
GEO 5260 Petrophysics & Well Logging (2)
GEO 5XXX Elective 1 (3)
GEO 5XXX Elective 2 (3)
GEO 5XXX Elective 3 (3)
Gen Ed (3)
Total Hours: 17
Teaching Major Certification. Please refer to
Education in the Colleges section for information on the
Earth Science Composite teaching major requirements and
state secondary teacher certification.
Requirements for the Earth Science Minor
Requirements
GEO 1110 or 1010, GEO 1115, 1220
Electives
Six credit hours from GEO 1000-level courses
Six credit hours from GEO 3000-level courses
A grade of C- or better is required for all courses in the
minor
At least 12 credits must be from the University of Utah
Degrees. M.S. and Ph.D. in geology, geophysics, and
geological engineering; and M.E. in geological engineering.
In addition, students may elect to obtain an
interdisciplinary M.E., M.S., or Ph.D. degree in
Environmental Engineering through the Department Geology and
Geophysics. Admissions and degree requirements for the
Environmental Engineering Gradate Program are specific to
that program. Entry into the environmental engineering
program may be gained through Geology and Geophysics or one
of the four other participating departments. Please contact
the Environmental Engineering program administrator for
details. (See catalogue description under Environmental
Enginering).
For additional information, see the Graduate Information
section of this catalog.
Areas of Specialization. Applied electrical
methods; thermal fields; seismology; economic geology;
low-and medium-temperature geochemistry; isotope
geochemistry; geochronology; sedimentology; basin analysis;
petroleum geology; vertebrate and invertebrate paleontology;
micropaleontology; igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic
petrology; structural geology and tectonics; rock magnetism;
borehole geophysics; geological engineering; geomechanics,
geohydrology; surface and groundwater hydrology.
Admission Requirements. Applications must be
submitted by January 15 for Fall Semester admission.
Admission as a matriculated student normally requires a GPA
of 3.25, three letters of recommendation, and the general
GRE.
Degree Requirements. Graduate students from other
colleges and universities that do not require the core
undergraduate courses of this department are expected to
make up such deficiencies at their own expense. All
geophysics graduate students normally take (or have taken)
Structure and Tectonics, Inversion Theory, and Survey of
Numerical Analysis. They also should satisfy the geophysics
B.S. elective requirements.
M.S. Requirements. A master's committee is
appointed to supervise the work of acceptable candidates on
an individual basis in accordance with The Graduate School
requirements. Candidates for the master's degree must earn a
minimum of 30 semester credit hours in approved graduate
courses and thesis research, and must pass the departmental
master's qualifying examination.
Ph.D. Requirements. The program is determined by
the student and a supervisory committee in accordance with
The Graduate School requirements. The Ph.D. degree requires
three or more years of approved graduate study characterized
by high scholarly achievement and independent research.
Three years of full-time study beyond the B.S. degree
normally represent about 70 semester credit hours,
approximately 24 of which are research hours for the
dissertation.
Financial Assistance. Contact the Department of
Geology and Geophysics for information about departmental
financial assistance.
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Geology and Geophysics 
