Bachelor of Science, Major in Geology

This is an archived copy of the 2023-2024 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.shsu.edu.

 Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit.

Bachelor of Science, Major in Geology
Core Curriculum
Component Area I (Communication)6
Component Area II (Mathematics) 13
Component Area III (Life and Physical Science) 2,38
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
MATH 1420
MATH 1430
Calculus I
and Calculus II 1
7-8
or MATH 3379 Statistical Mthods in Practice
PHYS 1301
PHYS 1101
PHYS 1302
PHYS 1102
General Phy-Mechanics & Heat
and General Physics Laboratory I
and Gen Phy-Snd,Lght, Elec, & Mag
and General Physics Laboratory II 3
8
Major: Foundation
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
GEOL 4360
GEOL 4361
Stratigraphy & Sedimentation
and Structural Geology
and Field Geology
and Field Geology
14
GEOL 4426Hydrogeology3-4
or GEOL 4320 Petroleum Geology
Major: Prescribed Electives
GEOL Advanced Electives10
Minor: Required 4
Minor (Advanced)6
Minor12
Total Hours120-122
1

MATH 1420 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area II (Mathematics), one semester credit hour of Component Area IX (Component Area Option), and the Degree Specific requirement.

2

CHEM 1411 and CHEM 1412 satisfy the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area III (Life and Physical Science) and the Degree Specific requirement.

3

PHYS 1411 and PHYS 1422 also satisfy the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area III (Life and Physical Science) and the Degree Specific requirement. 

4

All minors can be paired with this degree program. 

Notes

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum overall GPA in all coursework. 

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum overall major GPA in all major coursework.

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum SHSU GPA in all coursework.

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum SHSU major GPA in all major coursework.

Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit. 

First Year
FallHoursSpringHoursSummerHours
CHEM 141114CHEM 141214GEOL 33013
ENGL 130123ENGL 130223 
GEOL 1403 or 14054GEOL 14044 
MATH 142034MATH 1430 or 33793-4 
 15 14-15 3
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours 
GEOL 34044GEOL 34054 
Minor 43Minor43 
PHYS 1301
PHYS 11011
4PHYS 1302
PHYS 11021
4 
POLS 230553POLS 230653 
 14 14 
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHours 
Component Area IV3Component Area V3 
GEOL 44004GEOL 44024 
HIST 130163HIST 130263 
Minor43Minor43 
 13 13 
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHoursSummerHours
Component Area VIII3Component Area IX3GEOL 4360
GEOL 4361
6
GEOL 43043GEOL 4426 or 43203-4 
GEOL Advanced Electives3GEOL Advanced Electives4 
GEOL Advanced Electives3Minor Advanced 43 
Minor Advanced43  
 15 13-14 6
Total Hours: 120-122
1

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area III (Life and Physical Science). PHYS 1411 and PHYS 1422 also satisfy this requirement. 

2

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area I (Communications).

3

MATH 1420 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area II (Mathematics), one semester credit hour of Component Area IX (Component Area Option), and the Degree Specific requirement.

4

All minors can be paired with this degree program. 

5

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VII (Political Science/Movement).

6

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VI (U.S. History).

Notes

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum overall GPA in all coursework. 

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum overall major GPA in all major coursework.

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum SHSU GPA in all coursework.

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum SHSU major GPA in all major coursework.

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 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.