Bachelor of Science, Major in Geology (Geoscience)

This is an archived copy of the 2021-2022 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.shsu.edu.

Bachelor of Science, Major in Geology (Geoscience)
Core Curriculum
Component Area I (Communication)6
Component Area II (Mathematics) 13
Component Area III (Life and Physical Science) 28
Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture)3
Component Area V (Creative Arts)3
Component Area VI (U.S. History)6
Component Area VII (Political Science/Government)6
Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences)3
Component Area IX (Component Area Option) 14
Degree Specific Requirements
CHEM 1411
CHEM 1412
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry II 2
8
Select two of the following or more advanced courses:6-8
Pre Calculus Algebra 1
Plane Trigonometry 1
Elementary Functions 1
Calculus I 1
PHYS 1301
PHYS 1101
General Phy-Mechanics & Heat
and General Physics Laboratory I 3
4
or PHYS 1411 Introduction To Physics I
PHYS 1302
PHYS 1102
Gen Phy-Snd,Lght, Elec, & Mag
and General Physics Laboratory II 3
4
or PHYS 1422 Introduction To Physics II
Major Core
GEOL 1403Physical Geology4
or GEOL 1405 Geologic & Environmental Hazards
GEOL 1404
GEOL 3301
Historical Geology
and Field Methods
7
GEOL 3404
GEOL 3405
Mineralogy
and Petrology
8
GEOL 4304Geochemistry3
GEOL 4400
GEOL 4402
Stratigraphy & Sedimentation
and Structural Geology
8
GEOL 4426Hydrogeology4
or GEOL 4320 Petroleum Geology
Major
Advanced Geology electives15
Minor (if required)
Advanced courses in accepted minor6
Courses in accepted minor12
Total Hours120-122

Note: A minor in geography, science, or mathematics is strongly recommended.

First Year
FallHoursSpringHoursSummerHours
ENGL 130113CHEM 141134GEOL 33013
GEOL 1403 or 14054ENGL 130213 
KINE 211521GEOL 14044 
MATH 1314 or 141023-4MATH 1420 or 131623-4 
PHYS 1301
PHYS 1101 (or PHYS 1411)
4  
 15-16 14-15 3
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours 
CHEM 141234GEOL 34054 
GEOL 34044Minor Course3 
Minor Course3PHYS 1302
PHYS 1102 (or PHYS 1422)
4 
POLS 230543POLS 230643 
 14 14 
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHours 
Component Area IV3Component Area V3 
GEOL 44004GEOL 44024 
GEOL Advanced Elective3GEOL Advanced Elective3 
HIST 130153HIST 130253 
Minor Course3Minor Course3 
 16 16 
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHours 
Component Area VIII3Component Area IX3 
GEOL 43043GEOL 4426 or 43204 
GEOL Advanced Elective3GEOL Advanced Elective3 
GEOL Advanced elective3Minor Course (advanced)3 
Minor Course (advanced)3  
 15 13 
Total Hours: 120-122

Note: A minor in geography, science, or mathematics is strongly recommended

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) marketable skills initiative is part of the state’s 60x30TX plan and was designed to help students articulate their skills to employers.  Marketable skills are those skills valued by employers and/or graduate programs that can be applied in a variety of work or education settings and may include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas.

The BS in Geology (Geoscience) is designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:

  • Observation, data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
  • Prepare, process, and present data.
  • Handle information in a range of different mediums, e.g. textual, numerical, oral, graphical.
  • Written and verbal communication skills.
  • Report writing skills.
  • Problem-solving skills and lateral thinking.
  • Self-motivation and resilience.
  • Team-working skills and the ability to work on your own initiative.