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Department of Geosciences

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Undergraduate ProgramGraduate ProgramCourse DescriptionsFaculty

 

About the Program

This department supervises the following degree programs:

        • Bachelor of Arts in Geosciences
        • Bachelor of Science in Geosciences
        • Master of Science in Atmospheric Science
        • Master of Science in Geosciences
        • Doctor of Philosophy in Geosciences

Areas of concentration at the undergraduate level include geology and geophysics and a minor in atmospheric science.Back to Top


Undergraduate Program

Geology Concentration, B.S. Degree. The geology concentration for the Bachelor of Science 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 geology with a minimum of about 40 hours in geosciences, 18 hours in the minor, and 22 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.

Geophysics Concentration, B.S. Degree. The geophysics concentration for the Bachelor of Science degree is flexible, allowing the student to design a plan to prepare for employment as a professional geophysicist or to enter a graduate program in geophysics, atmospheric sciences, or related areas. A geophysics degree 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 major will vary depending on the chosen minor. The geophysics major combined with the appropriate minor (or adjunct classes) must include the following courses: GEOL 1303, 1101, 1304, 1102, 2303, 3102, 3302, 4101, 4312; GPH 2333, 4300, 4322, 4323; CHEM 1307, 1107; PHYS 1408, 2401; MATH 1351, 1352, 2350, and 2360 (or 3350); an additional 16 hours of approved upper-level electives chosen from atmospheric science, geology, geophysics, physics, engineering, or mathematics (at least 6 hours of these electives must be in fields other than geology). The senior research project (GEOL 4312) must be in a topic related to geophysics.

Geology Concentration, B.A. Degree. The geology program leading to the Bachelor of Arts 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.

Geology Students at White Sands, NM

The B.A. program with a major in geology requires GEOL 1303, 1101, 1304, 1102, 2303, 3302, 3428, 4312, either GCH 2303 or GPH 2333, and at least 14 hours of junior-senior level geosciences electives (six 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.

Geosciences Minors. The department offers three minors. The geology minor requires GEOL 1303, 1101, 1304, 1102, and 10 additional hours of geology courses, 6 of which must be at the junior-senior level and one course that must include a laboratory. The geophysics minor requires 9 hours in geophysics and 9 hours of related science or mathematics coursework; 6 hours must be at the junior-senior level. The atmospheric science minor requires ATMO 1300, 1100, 2301, 2316, 3301, 4300, and GEOL 3322 or another approved science or mathematic course.

Teacher Education. The department cooperates with the College of Education in preparing individuals for science certification in the programs in Multidisciplinary Studies (middle-level education) and Multidisciplinary Science (composite science certification). The student should consult the College of Education and the Department of Geosciences for requirements.

Curriculum Table

 

Graduate Program

Master’s Program. Master’s degree candidates may specialize in areas within geology, atmospheric science, and geophysics. At the doctoral level, research concentrations for the major in geoscience are available in (a) sedimentology, sedimentary petrology, petroleum geology; (b) low temperature geochemistry, igneous petrology, high temperature geochemistry, and stable-isotope geochemistry; (c) paleobiology and biostratigraphy; (d) geophysics, structural geology, tectonics; and (e) integrated studies in earth and atmospheric sciences. Details concerning the specific makeup of these groups are available from the department.

General degree requirements are those of the Graduate School. Admitted students are strongly encouraged to associate themselves with a faculty member or members by the end of their first semester in residence. The instructor(s) will serve as the student’s principal advisor and will be responsible for the student’s degree program.

The department encourages students with bachelor’s degrees from other sciences to enter the geosciences graduate program. Required leveling work will be determined on an individual basis, primarily by the staff member(s) in the student’s field of interest. A graduate minor may be taken either inside or outside this department.

Requirements for the master’s degree in atmospheric science beyond those stipulated by the Graduate School, if any, are determined in each case by the student’s thesis committee. Requirements for the master’s degree in geoscience are completion of 27 graduate hours in geology, geophysics, or related fields; 3 hours in science or engineering beyond those required for an undergraduate degree; and 6 hours of thesis credit. A 36-hour nonthesis option in geoscience is also available.

Doctoral Program. Requirements for the doctor’s degree follow those of the Graduate School. The first-year Ph.D. student will be expected to prepare and defend research proposals. The intent of this work is to determine whether the individual is capable of Ph.D.-level research. In the second year, the student will formalize the dissertation topic and committee. Under normal circumstances, the committee will consist of 3 to 5 members, including the faculty advisor. The Comprehensive Examination will be completed before the end of the fourth long semester in residence. One tool subject is required. Tool subjects include foreign language, computer science, and statistics and are determined by the graduate advisor and the student’s dissertation committee. The tool can be met by taking two successive courses in the tool subject for a total of at least 6 semester hours, except for foreign language as outlined in the Graduate School section of this catalog.Back to Top

 

Course Descriptions

    Faculty

    Click here to view alphabetical listing of all TTU faculty and their academic credentials.

    Calvin Barnes, Ph.D., Chairperson

    Horn Professor: Chatterjee
    Pevehouse Chair: Zhou
    Professors: Barnes, Barrick, Haragan, Leary, Lehman, Ridley
    Associate Professors: Gurrola, Karlsson, Nagihara, Schroeder, Yoshinobu
    Assistant Professors: Ancell, Basu, Hetherington, Holterhoff, Leverington, Weiss, Wiens
    Research Assistant Professor: Hayhoe
    Adjunct Faculty: Correa, JohnsonBack to Top

    Catalog Contents