Geology Concentration (1162)

Geology is the study of the materials and processes which shape the earth’s past, present and future. There are many subfields such as oil and gas exploration, environmental geology, paleontology, hydrogeology, geochemistry and geophysics. Geology assumes an increasingly important role in our quest for energy and mineral resources and in our growing concern for the environment.

Geologists are typically employed by:

private industry such as energy, mining and construction companies;
federal government in such agencies as the U.S. Geological Survey, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Mines, NASA and the Environmental Protection Agency;
state and local governments in state geological surveys, regulatory bodies and regional planning commissions;
private consulting firms;
museums, public and private K-12 education, and academia.

A minor is optional.

Concentration Requirements

GEOS 120 and GEOS 130 are prerequisites to the concentration which consists of:

Geology Methods:

GEOL 210 - Geoscience Literacy Credit(s): 1
OR
GEOL 220 - Methods in Field Geology Credit(s): 2

Geology Core:

Choose four courses from:

GEOL 250 Credit(s): 4
GEOL 320 - Mineralogy Credit(s): 4
GEOL 330 - Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology Credit(s): 4
GEOL 360 - Sedimentology and Stratigraphy Credit(s): 4
GEOL 400 - Structural Geology Credit(s): 4
GEOL 445 - Geohydrology Credit(s): 4

Geology/Soil Science Electives:

Choose nine hours from:

GEOL 285 - Topics in Geology Credit(s): 3-4
GEOL 315 - Principles of Oceanography Credit(s): 3
GEOL 335
GEOL 355 - Principles of Geomorphology Credit(s): 3
GEOL 375
GEOL 485 - Special Topics in Geology: (Title) Credit(s): 3-4
SOIL 321 - Soil Genesis, Morphology and Classification Credit(s): 3

Experiential Geoscience:

Choose nine hours from:

GEOG 410 - Geographic Information Systems: Modeling and Applications Credit(s): 3
GEOL 275 - Travel Studies in Geology Credit(s): 3-4
GEOL 365 - Tennessee’s Geologic and Cultural Landscapes Credit(s): 3
GEOL 401 - Research Participation Credit(s): 3
OR
GEOL 402 - Research Participation Credit(s): 3
GEOL 415 - Marine Geology Credit(s): 3
GEOL 465 - Geology Internship Credit(s): 3-4
GEOL 475 - Travel Studies in Geology: (Title) Credit(s): 3-4
GEOL 490
GEOL 495 - Senior Research Project Credit(s): 1-3