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Geology Major, B.S., Green Energy Concentration

The accelerating energy transition toward net zero carbon emissions requires a specialized workforce. The Geology Major B.S.: Green Energy concentration develops the critical knowledge and skills needed by geoscientists of the 21st Century. This concentration enhances the critical thinking, quantitative, communication, and teamwork skills provided by the Geology major with specific training targeting careers in renewable energy, carbon underground storage, resource mapping and evaluation, and environmentally responsible production of critical raw materials.

Admission Requirements, Retention and Termination Standards

To declare a Geology Major: Green Energy Concentration, a student must meet with a Geology faculty advisor and complete the Core Courses I (GEL 100, or GEL 130, or GEL 101 and GEL 102) with a minimum grade of B-.

 

Program Requirements

Core Courses II (25-27 hours)

GEL 201Earth History

3(2-2)

GEL 270Field Methods

2(0-4)

GEL 277Research and Communication Skills in Geosciences

1(0-2)

GEL 280Geomath

3(2-3)

GEL 310Introductory Mineralogy and Petrology

4(2-5)

GEL 340Stratigraphy and Sedimentology

4(3-3)

GEL 370Structural Geology

3(2-3)

GEL 409/ENS 409Professional Development in the Fields of Environmental Science and

1(0-2)

GEL 450Geology Field Camp

4-6(Spec)

Required Courses I (19 hours)

CHM 131General Chemistry I

4(3-3)

GEO 203QRIntroduction to Geographic Information Science

3(2-2)

MET 301Climatology & Climate Change

3(3-0)

MTH 132Calculus I

4(4-0)

PHY 145QRUniversity Physics I

4(4-0)

PHY 175University Physics Laboratory I

1(0-2)

Required Courses II (4-5 hours)

Select one of the following options:

Option A (4 hours)

CHM 132General Chemistry II

4(3-3)

Option B (5 hours)

PHY 146University Physics II

4(4-0)

PHY 176University Physics Laboratory II

1(0-2)

Requird Courses III (3-4 hours)

Select one of the following courses:
MTH 133Calculus II

4(4-0)

STA 382QRElementary Statistical Analysis

3(3-0)

Required Courses IV (12-13 hours)

Green Energy Concentration Courses

Required Courses IV-A (6 hours)

GEL 350Critical Resources for Energy Transition

3(2-3)

GEL 550Economic Geology

3(2-3)

Required Courses IV-B (3-4 hours)

Select one of the following courses:
GEL 305Engineering Geology

3(2-2)

GEL 380WIHydrogeology

4(3-3)

Required Courses IV-C (3 hours)

Select one of the following courses:
GEL 372Introduction to Geophysics

3(2-3)

GEL 386Subsurface Geological Methods

3(2-2)

Note: In addition, students interested in pursuing graduate school are strongly recommended to take both options listed under Required Courses II and Required Courses III.

Total : 66-72 semester hours

Core Courses I (3-4 hours)

Option A (3 hours)

GEL 100Introduction to Earth Systems

3(2-2)

Option B (3 hours)

GEL 130Sustainable Earth: Geology for the 21st Century

3(2-2)

Option C (4 hours)

GEL 101Physical Geology

3(3-0)

GEL 102Physical Geology Laboratory

1(0-2)