Bachelor of Science in Geoscience

The Department of Geology and Geophysics offers Bachelors of Science (B.S.) degree programs that are designed for students who wish to pursue professional careers in the Earth sciences or in other areas of science, engineering, teaching, public service or business. In addition to providing a broad, rigorous education in the Earth sciences, the curriculum also includes comprehensive preparation in all the physical sciences, so graduates from the program will be competitive when applying for admission to graduate schools and/or quality jobs in the professional arena.

There are numerous research opportunities within the department and internship opportunities with off-campus organizations available for undergraduate students. A highly regarded "Petroleum Industry Career Path" (PICP) curriculum is offered by our internationally known faculty for students interested in a career in the oil and gas industry.

Graduation Requirements

• A minimum overall GPA of 2.0
• A GPA of 2.25 in departmental required and elective courses.
• Grades of Credit or those of less than C- are not accepted in departmental or required courses.

Degree Requirements

Required Courses

Complete all of the following

• GEO1100 - Evolving Earth (3)
• GEO2100 - Reactive Earth (3)
• GEO2500 - Wasatch in the Field (3)
• GEO3100 - Dynamic Earth (3)
• GEO4500 - Field Methods (3)

Capstone Project

• Complete the following:
• GEO4510 - Field Geology (2)
• GEO4520 - Field Geology - Part 2 (2)

Geophysics Emphasis Only: Earned at least 3 credits from the following:

• GEO3900 - Undergraduate Research (1 - 3)

Electives

• Earned at least 12 credits from GEO, MET E, ATMOS, MG EN, BIOL, MATH, CHEM, PHYS, BIOEN, CH EN, CS, CVEEN, ECE, ME EN, or MSE 3000 - 5999

Grand Total Credits: 30 - 31

Emphases

• Environmental Geoscience
• Geology
• Geophysics
• Geological Engineering
• K-12 Earth Science Teaching

Tackling the world's grand challenges.

Today we face major global challenges, climate change, natural resource use, environmental degradation and remediation, energy development and sustainability. Earth scientists and engineers are at the forefront of addressing these complex problems as they work to understand the origin, transformation, and responsible use of our own planet, including its geology, atmosphere, and bodies of water—and the relationships between them.

This unique college bridges the interface between the earth sciences and fields of engineering offering a wide variety of exciting research and educational experiences with twenty-three accredited undergraduate and graduate degrees in earth sciences, geology, geophysics, geological engineering, mining engineering, metallurgical engineering, materials science and engineering, earth resource management, and atmospheric sciences.

About Our College

The College of Mines and Earth Sciences’ location in a mineral- and energy-rich geographical area provides a study and research environment that extends far beyond campus boundaries. Because of Utah’s mineral resources, the college is pivotal in developing a region increasingly vital to the nation’s mining and energy future.

The college consists of four academic departments that offer six majors and four baccalaureate and graduate degrees. All faculty have doctorates, at least one-third have significant industrial experience, and many retain ties to industry. In addition to teaching, faculty engage in a wide variety of research activities. Graduate students and some undergraduates also participate in research.

The College of Mines and Earth Sciences occupies the Frederick A. Sutton Building, the William C. Browning Building, Mineral Processing Lab (Building 58), Hedco Building (Building 57), Grinding Laboratory, and Mining Systems Research Laboratory (Building 59), and the Intermountain Network Scientific Computation Center.

Mission Statement

• To educate and prepare professional earth scientists, geological engineers and earth science educators, meteorologists, and atmospheric scientists, physical and extractive metallurgists, mineral separation experts, and mining engineers.
• To engage in scholarly research activities in geology, geophysics, geological engineering, meteorology, physical and extractive metallurgy, mineral separation, and mining engineering.
• To disseminate newly acquired knowledge through timely publication of original research by faculty and students in all of the above fields.
• To educate the University community and the public about the composition and structure of Earth, processes that shape it, and its history and future.
• To provide professional service by providing knowledge about natural resources, methods of natural resource extraction, safety in industrial activities, metals extraction and modification, geologic hazards, the environment, and a sustainable Earth.

Value Statement

We value:

• excellence in teaching, student engagement, and citizenship, and
• impactful scholarly research that informs policy and advances our understanding of the earth and its resources in order to improve our environmental and economic security.

The College strives to be a campus leader in safety, continuous assessment, diversity and inclusivity, collaboration and collegiality.

Stakeholder's Commitment

• The College educates and prepares professional earth scientists, atmospheric scientists, geologists, geological engineers, mining engineers, metallurgical engineers, mineral separation experts, physical and extractive metallurgists, and earth science educators. We engage in scholarly research activities in geology, geophysics, geological engineering, hydrology, atmospheric sciences, oceanic processes, physical and extractive metallurgy, mineral separation, mining engineering, geo-resource management, and safety.
• We disseminate newly acquired knowledge through the timely publication of original research by faculty and students in all of the above fields. We seek to educate the University community and the public about the composition and structure of Earth, processes that shape it, and its history and future.
• We deliver professional service by providing knowledge about natural resources, methods of natural resource extraction, safety in industrial activities, metals extraction and modification, geologic hazards, and the environment processes.