StudyQA — Bachelor: Geology — University of Maryland at College Park (Page 154)

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Description Contents Requirements Funding

Geology is the science of the Earth. In its broadest sense, geology concerns itself with planetary formation and subsequent modification, with emphasis on the study of planet Earth. Geologists study Earth's internal and surficial structure and materials, the chemical and physical processes acting within and on the Earth, and utilize the principles of mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology to understand our planet and its environments.

Geological Studies encompass all the physical, chemical and biological aspects of Earth. Increasingly, geologists are taking a holistic approach in the collection and interpretation of data about the Earth, which means that the wider context of the geological sciences is broad and diverse. In studying the Earth as a system, we are concerned with geology and geophysics, hydrology, oceanography and marine science, meteorology and atmospheric science, planetary science, and soil science. A major in any relevant discipline can lead to a satisfying career within the geological sciences. In general, graduate training is expected for advancement to the most rewarding positions and for academic employment.

Geologists are employed by governmental, industrial and academic organizations. Geologists work in exploration for new mineral and hydrocarbon resources, as consultants on engineering and environmental projects, as teachers and researchers in universities, and in many other challenging positions. For many, the attraction of a career in geology is the ability to divide time between work in the field, the laboratory and the office. Although the employment outlook within geology varies with the global economic climate, the long-range outlook is good. This is because our dwindling energy, mineral and water resources, along with increasing concerns about natural hazards and environmental issues, present new challenges for geologists.

The Geology Program at UM includes a broad range of undergraduate courses to accommodate both Geology majors and students within the Environmental Science and Policy Program. Within the Geology major, a requirement exists for a senior undergraduate research project to be performed under the direction of a faculty advisor. This requirement provides invaluable experience in writing proposals and reports, gathering, analyzing and evaluating data, and delivering scientific talks. In addition, a Departmental Honors Program and a combined B.S./M.S. Program are available.

At the Graduate Level, the Department offers programs leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. The mission of the Graduate Program is to train students to conduct independent and original research. This is most often achieved by collaboration between students and faculty in ongoing research programs. Research in the Department is focused upon both Earth's interior and surface processes. These areas are not mutually exclusive, and students are encouraged to develop a program that suits their interests.

Our particular strengths are as follows:

Mineralogy, petrology and geochemistry, in particular of granites and associated mineralization;
hydrological processes and integration of geomorphology, hydrology and ecology to understand surface environments;
and isotope geochemistry, in support of the above strengths and in mantle geochemistry, meteoritics, tectonics, carbonate diagenesis, sedimentary cycling, geochronology, stratigraphy and paleoclimate studies.

The geology curriculum is designed to meet the requirements of industry, graduate school, and government. For the B.S. degree, the students are required to complete departmental requirements, capstones, core discipline options, and elective (58 - 62 credits) and the supporting requirements (16 credits) in addition to the General Education Program requirements and the completion of at least 120 credits. The department requires that to receive a degree in Geology, students must have a grade of C- or better in the required geology courses, and an average of C- or better in the supporting courses.

Courses required for the B.S. in Geology are listed below. Some courses require field trips for which the students are expected to pay for room (if required) and board. Field camp is taken during the summer at institutions other than the University of Maryland, College Park, that offer camps approved by the department.

REQUIREMENTS EFFECTIVE MARCH 2016

GenEd Program: Minimum 40 credits (for freshmen entering in Fall 2012 and after.)

Or CORE Program: 46 credits

Departmental Requirements: 58-62 credits

Supporting Requirements: 16 credits

Note: Completion of the degree requires completion of 120 credits

REQUIRED GEOLOGY COURSES:

One of the following:
- GEOL 100 - Physical Geology (3)
- GEOL 120 - Environmental Geology (3)
GEOL110 - Introductory Geology Laboratory (1)
GEOL 102 - Historical Geology (4)
GEOL 322 - Mineralogy (4)
GEOL 341 - Structural Geology (4)
GEOL 342 - Stratigraphy and Sedimentation (4)
GEOL 423 - Optical Mineralogy (3)
GEOL 443 - Petrology (4)

Total credits: 28

GEOLOGY CAPSTONES:

Quantitative Reasoning:

GEOL 393 - Geology Senior Thesis I: Proposal (3)
GEOL 394 - Geology Senior Thesis II: Research (3)
GEOL 490 - Field Camp (6)

GEOLOGIC CORE DISCIPLINES: Choose one course from each of the following groups.*

Quantitative Reasoning:

GEOL 351 - Statistics for Geoscientists (3)
Geoscientific Modeling (3)
GEOL 447 - Observational Geophysics (3)

Surface Processes:

GEOL 340 - Geomorphology (4)
GEOL 451 - Groundwater (3)

Geophysics:

GEOL 412 - Geology of the Terrestrial Planets (3)
GEOL 446 - Geophysics (3)
GEOL 455 - Marine Geophysics (3)
GEOL 457 - Seismology (3)

Geochemistry:

GEOL 444 - Low-Temperature Geochemistry (4)
GEOL 445 - High-Temperature Geochemistry (4)
GEOL 463 - Economic Geology (3)

Geobiology:

GEOL 331 - Principles of Paleontology (4)
GEOL 435 - Environmental Geochemistry (3)
GEOL 436 - Biogeochemistry (3)
GEOL 437 - Global Climate Change, Past and Present (3)

Total credits: 15-18

GEOLOGY ELECTIVE:

Any 3 - 4 credit 300 - 400 level GEOL course not taken to satisfy the above requirements or appropriate substitution with the approval of the department.

Total credits: 3-4

SUPPORTING COURSES

Required Courses:

One of the following:
- CHEM 131/2 - Chemistry I - Fundamentals of General Chemistry and laboratory (4)
- CHEM 135/6 - Chemistry for Engineers and laboratory (4)
MATH 140 - Calculus I (4)
MATH 141 - Calculus II (4)
One of the following:
- PHYS 161 - General Physics: Mechanics and Particle Dynamics (3) and PHYS 174 - Physics Laboratory Introduction (1)
- PHYS 171 - Introductory Physics: Mechanics and Relativity (3) and PHYS 174 - Physics Laboratory Introduction (1)

Total credits: 16

OVERALL Total credits: 74-78

Requirements

Nonrefundable application fee of $75
Two letters of recommendation are required for a completed application: one from your school counselor and one from a teacher. Recommendations must be sent to us directly from the recommender.
Official copy of your high school transcripts
Where appropriate, include official results and certificates of completion from national secondary school examinations such as GCSE/GCE, CBSE national and regional, CXC/CSEC and WAEC. Transcripts must be sent in the native language with a certified English translation.
The SAT or the ACT is required.
If neither the SAT nor the ACT is available in your country, submit a written request for a waiver of this requirement with your application. Applicants who don’t submit some form of official standardized testing may be at a competitive disadvantage.
Activities and awards list or resume
If English is not your native language—regardless of your citizenship—you must have an official report of your scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) sent to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at the address below by the appropriate application deadline. The Office of Undergraduate Admissions will consider all materials submitted in the application package to determine your level of English proficiency.