Bachelor of Science Degree
Geology Concentration (B.S. or B.A.). This concentration offers students the choice of either a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Bachelor of Science — The geology concentration for the B.S. degree is designed to prepare the student for admission to a graduate program in geology and employment as a professional geologist. Each student must complete a senior research project (GEOL 4312) as part of the degree requirements. The minor must be in a field of science, mathematics, engineering, or an approved composite of courses from these fields. A well-prepared student should be able to complete the B.S. in Geosciences with a geology concentration with a minimum of 42 hours in geosciences, 18 hours in the minor, and 24 hours in mathematics and physical sciences. For other students, leveling courses may be required. The residency requirement for the major is 12 hours; for the minor, 6 hours.
Bachelor of Arts — The geology program leading to the B.A. degree is designed to provide a broad liberal arts background and basic training in the principles of geosciences. The program is designed for students with strong interests in earth processes and the history of nature's initiation of and response to continuous change. Students interested in professional employment or graduate degrees in geology should complete the B.S. degree program, not the B.A. The B.A. program with a concentration in geology requires GEOL 1303, 1101, 1304, 1102, 2303, 3402, 4101, 4312, and at least 15 hours of junior-senior level geosciences electives, 9 hours of which must include a laboratory. Adjunct requirements include MATH 1321, CHEM 1307, 1107, PHYS 1403. The minor may be in any area approved by the college.
Geophysics Concentration (B.S.). The Bachelor of Science degree allows students to prepare for employment as a professional geophysicist or enter a graduate program in geophysics, atmospheric sciences, or related areas. Unlike geology, the geophysics concentration includes only a Bachelor of Science. It requires a minor in mathematics, physics, atmospheric sciences, geology, engineering, or an approved composite of courses from these fields. The courses required for the geophysics concentration will vary depending on the chosen minor (or adjunct classes) but must include the following in either the major, minor or adjunct: GEOL 1303, 1101, 2303, 3310, 3402, 4101; either GEOL 4312 or ATMO 4312; GPH 2333, 4321, 4323; CHEM 1307, 1107; PHYS 1408, 2401; MATH 1351 or 1451, 1352 or 1452, 2350 or 2450, 2360 and 3350; CE 2301 and either CE 3303 or 3305. In the event that courses from the above list are used in the minor, elective courses to total about 39 hours in the major may be chosen from the list of approved major electives available from the department. The senior research project (GEOL 4312 or ATMO 4312) must be in a field related to geophysics or atmospheric sciences.
Example Curricula for Geology and Geophysics Concentrations
- http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/catalog/01_curriculum/AS_GEO_Geology.pdf
- http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/catalog/01_curriculum/AS_GEO_Geophysics.pdf
Go to TTU on-line catalog description of Geosciences Undergraduate Degrees.