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 201 | Earth History | 3(2-2) |
GEL 270 | Field Methods | 2(0-4) |
GEL 277 | Research and Communication Skills in Geosciences | 1(0-2) |
GEL 280 | Geomath | 3(2-3) |
GEL 310 | Introductory Mineralogy and Petrology | 4(2-5) |
GEL 340 | Stratigraphy and Sedimentology | 4(3-3) |
GEL 370 | Structural Geology | 3(2-3) |
GEL 409/ENS 409 | Professional Development in the Fields of Environmental Science and | 1(0-2) |
GEL 450 | Geology Field Camp | 4-6(Spec) |
Required Courses I (19 hours)
CHM 131 | General Chemistry I | 4(3-3) |
GEO 203QR | Introduction to Geographic Information Science | 3(2-2) |
MET 301 | Climatology & Climate Change | 3(3-0) |
MTH 132 | Calculus I | 4(4-0) |
PHY 145QR | University Physics I | 4(4-0) |
PHY 175 | University Physics Laboratory I | 1(0-2) |
Required Courses II (4-5 hours)
Select one of the following options:
Option A (4 hours)
Option B (5 hours)
PHY 146 | University Physics II | 4(4-0) |
PHY 176 | University Physics Laboratory II | 1(0-2) |
Requird Courses III (3-4 hours)
Select one of the following courses:
Required Courses IV (12-13 hours)
Green Energy Concentration Courses
Required Courses IV-A (6 hours)
GEL 350 | Critical Resources for Energy Transition | 3(2-3) |
GEL 550 | Economic Geology | 3(2-3) |
Required Courses IV-B (3-4 hours)
Select one of the following courses:
Required Courses IV-C (3 hours)
Select one of the following courses:
GEL 372 | Introduction to Geophysics | 3(2-3) |
GEL 386 | Subsurface 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 100 | Introduction to Earth Systems | 3(2-2) |
Option B (3 hours)
GEL 130 | Sustainable Earth: Geology for the 21st Century | 3(2-2) |
Option C (4 hours)
GEL 101 | Physical Geology | 3(3-0) |
GEL 102 | Physical Geology Laboratory | 1(0-2) |