Bachelor of Science, Major in Geology (Geoscience)

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 (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
PHYS 1301
PHYS 1101
General Physics-Mechanics and Heat
and General Physics Laboratory I
4
or PHYS 1411 Introduction To Physics I
PHYS 1302
PHYS 1102
General Physics-Sound, Light, Electricity, and Magnetism
and General Physics Laboratory II
4
or PHYS 1422 Introduction To Physics II
Select two from the following or more advanced courses:6-8
Pre Calculus Algebra 1
Plane Trigonometry 1
Elementary Functions 1
Calculus I 1
Major: Foundation
GEOL 1403Earth: How it Works4
or GEOL 1405 Geologic & Environmental Hazards
GEOL 1404History of Earth and Life4
GEOL 3301Field Methods3
GEOL 3404Mineralogy4
GEOL 3405Petrology4
GEOL 4304Geochemistry3
GEOL 4400Stratigraphy & Sedimentation4
GEOL 4402Structural Geology4
GEOL 4426Hydrogeology3-4
or GEOL 4320 Petroleum Geology
Major: Prescribed Advanced Electives
GEOL Advanced Electives16
Minor: Required 3
Minor12
Minor (Advanced)6
Total Hours120-122
1

MATH 1410 or MATH 1420 satisfy one credit hour of the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IX (Component Area Option). If the mathematics requirement is satisfied by MATH 1314 and MATH 1316, then KINE 2115 is recommended to satisfy the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IX (Component Area Option).

2

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

3

All minors can be paired with this degree program. A minor in geography, science, or mathematics is strongly recommended.

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
Component Area IX11CHEM 141134GEOL 33013
ENGL 130123ENGL 130223 
GEOL 1403 or 14054GEOL 14044 
MATH 1314 or 141013-4MATH 1420 or 131613-4 
PHYS 1301
PHYS 1101 (or PHYS 1411)
4  
 15-16 14-15 3
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours 
CHEM 141234GEOL 34054 
GEOL 34044Minor43 
Minor43PHYS 1302
PHYS 1102 (or PHYS 1422)
4 
POLS 230553POLS 230653 
 14 14 
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHours 
Component Area IV3Component Area V3 
GEOL 44004GEOL 44024 
GEOL Advanced Electives3GEOL Advanced Electives3 
HSTY 130163HSTY 130263 
Minor43Minor43 
 16 16 
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHours 
Component Area VIII3Component Area IX3 
GEOL 43043GEOL 4426 or 43203-4 
GEOL Advanced Electives3GEOL Advanced Electives3 
GEOL Advanced Electives4Minor (Advanced)43 
Minor (Advanced)43  
 16 12 
Total Hours: 120-122
1

MATH 1410 or MATH 1420 satisfy one credit hour of the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IX (Component Area Option). If the mathematics requirement is satisfied by MATH 1314 and MATH 1316, then KINE 2115 is recommended to satisfy the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IX (Component Area Option).

2

Satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area I (Communication).

3

Satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area III (Life and Physical Science).

4

All minors can be paired with this degree program. A minor in geography, science, or mathematics is strongly recommended.

5

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

6

Satisfies the 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 (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, and 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.