Geosciences: Undergraduate Geology Program

College of Science and Engineering

Dean: Sheldon Axler

Department of Geosciences

509 Thornton Hall

(415) 338-2061

Fax: (415) 338-7705

Chair: Oswaldo Garcia

Graduate Coordinators: Grove (Geology) and Monteverdi (Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences)

Credential Adviser: Caskey

Faculty

Professors—Dempsey, Garcia, Garfield, Grove, Monteverdi, Mustart, Pestrong, White

Associate Professors—Caskey

Assistant Professors—Leech, Sklar

Adjunct Faculty—Abrams, Blier, Campbell, Felton, Knox, Null, Roopnarine, Roush, Tang

Programs

B.A. in Earth Sciences

B.S. in Geology

B.S. in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences: Concentration in Meteorology

B.S. in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences: Concentration in Oceanography

Minor in Earth Sciences

M.S. in Applied Geosciences

Affiliations

The Department of Geosciences is a University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) Affiliate.

Program Scope

The Department of Geosciences offers three undergraduate degree programs and a minor program spanning the geosciences (that is, earth sciences), including geology, atmospheric sciences (including meteorology), and oceanography. It also offers a graduate program leading to a Master of Science in Applied Geosciences.

The B.S. in Geology provides rigorous professional education and training in geology with a strong emphasis on investigations in the field (that is, outdoors). It also provides excellent preparation for graduate work in geology. The B.S. in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences includes a Concentration in Meteorology that provides modern professional education and training in meteorology, including weather forecasting, and preparation for graduate work in atmospheric sciences. A Concentration in Oceanography provides analogous preparation in oceanography. The B.A. in Earth Sciences provides a broad, flexible, integrated background in the earth sciences. The Minor in Earth Sciences does the same on a smaller scale and can complement a variety of other majors. The M.S. in Applied Geosciences provides education and training in research in the geosciences in close collaboration with a faculty advisor, with emphasis on applied problems in the San Francisco Bay region.

Career Outlook

Geoscience investigations lead to new discoveries of useful earth materials, solutions to environmental problems, and insights into earth processes that affect people’s lives. Geoscientists contribute basic information to society for analyzing and solving problems and establishing policy for managing resources, protecting the environment, and assessing natural hazards. Dwindling energy, mineral, and water resources, and increasing environmental concern about issues such as global warming and its impacts, present challenges that create a demand for geoscientific expertise.

Graduates in geology, meteorology, and oceanography may pursue a wide range of careers in the earth sciences and related fields. Geologists currently find the greatest opportunities in the broad areas of environmental/engineering geology, including such specializations as surface and groundwater hydrogeology, geotechnical studies aimed at locating and remediating toxic sites, earthquake and landslide hazard assessment, and site evaluation for urban planning or construction. There also continue to be positions available in petroleum geology and minerals exploration. A shortage of certified high school and middle school science teachers has placed qualified teachers in high demand. Meteorologists will find opportunities in short- and long-range weather forecasting, air pollution assessment, wind energy assessment, global climate change research, and broadcast meteorology. For most types of jobs, the strongest candidates will have a master's degree, several years of field experience, and an interdisciplinary background with strong chemistry, physics, mathematics, and computer skills. Geologists and meteorologists are employed by a large number of government agencies, including the U.S. Geological Survey, National Weather Service, Environmental Protection Agency, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, California Division of Mines and Geology, Bureau of Land Management, Army Corps of Engineers, and U.S. Forest Service. Many geologists and some meteorologists in the San Francisco Bay Area work for environmental consulting firms, and some meteorologists become broadcast meteorologists working for local television and radio stations. In addition to preparing students for advanced work as professional geologists, meteorologists, and oceanographers, the M.S. in Applied Geosciences qualifies students to teach at community colleges and prepares others to continue their graduate education in doctoral programs leading to careers in university teaching and research.

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM IN GEOLOGY

The B.S. in Geology is described and its requirements are summarized below.

Course descriptions are available online.

Advising. The Department of Geosciences requires that declared majors consult with an advisor every semester, and prospective majors should consult with an advisor as early as possible, particularly about selecting courses in the General Education program that best fit the major program. Students will also be advised about completing basic science requirements before taking upper division courses in geosciences, and about the order in which required courses should best be taken. Students interested in preparing to teach high school or middle school earth sciences and integrated science should consult the credential adviser in the Department of Geosciences because specific courses beyond the Department’s degree programs are required.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN GEOLOGY

The Bachelor of Science in Geology is designed for students intending to prepare for graduate school in geology or for direct entry into a career as a professional geologist in industry or government. The Geology major provides students with a fundamental background in the physical sciences and many areas of geology necessary for an in-depth comprehension of the subject. Entry to the major presupposes prior course work comprising the high school equivalents of two years of algebra, one year of plane geometry, one-half year of trigonometry, and one year of physics and/or chemistry.

Course and Unit Requirements for B.S. in Geology

Basic Science and Mathematics			Units
CHEM 115	General Chemistry I: Essential Concepts of Chemistry		5
CHEM 215/216	General Chemistry II: Quantitative Applications of Chemistry Concepts/Laboratory (3/2)		5
MATH 226	Calculus I		4
GEOL 125 or MATH 227	Quantitative Geology or Calculus II		4
PHYS 111/112 or PHYS 220/222	General Physics I/Laboratory (3/1) or General Physics with Calculus I/Laboratory (3/1)		4
PHYS 121/122 or PHYS 240/242	General Physics II/ Laboratory (3/1) or General Physics with Calculus III/Laboratory (3/1)		4
Total basic science and mathematics requirements			26
Basic Geology Core
GEOL 110	Physical Geology		4
GEOL 115	Earth and Life through Time		4
GEOL 120	Geologic Techniques and Problem Solving		2
GEOL 420	Mineralogy and Petrology I		4
GEOL 430	Structural Geology		4
GEOL 460	Sedimentology and Stratigraphy		4
GEOL 695	Field Methods in Geology		2
Total basic geology core requirements			24
Advanced Geology Core 1. complete at least 7 units 2. select at least one quantitative course**
GEOL 426	Mineralogy and Petrology II		4
GEOL 450	Geomorphology**		4
GEOL 452	Coastal Processes		3
GEOL 475	Hydrogeology**		4
GEOL 467	Marine Geology		3
GEOL 480	Geochemistry**		4
Total advanced geology core requirements			7
Capstone (complete at least 4 units)
A field geology course from another university (see http://tornado.sfsu.edu/Geosciences/fieldgeology.html for examples)			4-6
GEOL 697	Undergraduate Research		2
GEOL 698	Senior Research and Thesis		2
Total capstone requirement			4
Electives (On advisement, complete at least 8 units of courses numbered 400 or higher in geology [or a closely related field], such as courses listed below or not already selected from the advanced geology core or capstone.)
GEOL 400		Physical Geology in the Field	1
GEOL 402		Coastal Geology in the Field	1
GEOL/METR/ OCN 405		Planetary Climate Change	4
GEOL 410		Volcanology	3
GEOL 415		Computer Techniques in Geology	2
GEOL 440		Paleontology	3
GEOL 454		Quaternary Climate and Soils	3
GEOL 462		Geology of Hydrocarbons	3
GEOL 470		Neotectonics	3
GEOL 474		Engineering Geology	3
GEOL 476		Groundwater Contamination	3
GEOL 485		Ore Deposits	4
GEOL 590		Seminar in Geosciences	2
GEOL 642		Watershed Assessment and Restoration	4
GEOL 699		Special Study	1-3
OCN 465		Physical Oceanography	3
METR 407		Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere and Ocean	3
Total electives requirement			8
Total major requirement			69

Recommended Emphases (Students should select courses upon advisement from the advanced geology core and from electives to create a coherent emphasis. We recommend one of the examples below.)
Sedimentary and Coastal Processes
GEOL 426	Mineralogy and Petrology II	4
GEOL 450	Geomorphology	4
GEOL 452	Coastal Processes	3
GEOL 467	Marine Geology	3
GEOL 475	Hydrogeology	4
GEOL 480	Geochemistry	4
OCN 465	Physical Oceanography	3
Petrology and Tectonics
GEOL 410	Volcanology	3
GEOL 426	Mineralogy and Petrology II	4
GEOL 470	Neotectonics	3
GEOL 480	Geochemistry	4
GEOL 485	Ore Deposits	3
Surficial and Environmental Geology
GEOL 450	Geomorphology	4
GEOL 454	Quaternary Climate and Soils	3
GEOL 470	Neotectonics	3
GEOL 474	Engineering Geology	3
GEOL 475	Hydrogeology	4
GEOL 476	Groundwater Contamination	3
GEOL 480	Geochemistry	4
Climate Change
GEOL 405	Planetary Climate Change	4
GEOL 450	Geomorphology	4
GEOL 452	Coastal Processes	3
GEOL 454	Quaternary Climate and Soils	3
GEOL 467	Marine Geology	3
GEOL 480	Geochemistry	4
Energy and Natural Resources
GEOL 426	Mineralogy and Petrology II	4
GEOL 462	Geology of Hydrocarbons	3
GEOL 476	Marine Geology	3
GEOL 480	Geochemistry	4
GEOL 485	Ore Deposits	4