Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 General Catalog 
    
2020-2021 General Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG–FOR INFORMATION ONLY]

Geology (B.S.)


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Program Summary

The geology faculty strive to provide students at Southern Utah University with excellence in earth science education. Our integrated efforts are directed toward those methods that produce the best possible educational experience. The primary goal of the geology faculty is to ensure academic excellence while demanding integrity and building self-esteem in our students. Specifically, our mission is to foster a positive learning environment which serves a variety of needs, including:

  1. Preparation of students who choose to pursue graduate studies in geology;
  2. Preparation of students to directly enter the work force;
  3. Preparation of students who choose to pursue careers in areas other than science (i.e. business or law), but need a broadly based background in geology as a foundation for those pursuits;
  4. Preparation of students who choose a career in earth science education; and
  5. Preparation of students choosing physical science general education courses to be more knowledgeable citizens by providing a quality educational experience. The geology area carries out its role through application of, and involvement with, the basic principles of science and by instilling understanding and appreciation of scientific methodologies.

Program Learning Outcomes

  • Demonstrate geologic knowledge of the physical and natural world.
  • Demonstrate integrative learning through teamwork, problem solving, inquiry, and analysis.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in geological field and lab skills.
  • Demonstrate written and oral scientific communication skills.

Program Information

  • All courses must be passed with a “C” (2.0) or better to be counted in the minor.
  • All prerequisite courses must be passed with “C” (2.0) or better.
  • Credits greater than 10 years old will not be accepted in the minor.
  • Some courses are taught every other year or as needed. Consult your advisor for scheduling help.

Program Prerequisites

The Department of Physical Science strongly recommends that students complete the following courses as part of their General Education , as they are prerequisites for required major courses and/or requirements for graduation. Students who do not complete these courses as part of General Education can potentially add additional credits and time to their degree. These courses may or may not need to be taken before starting any major courses; consult a Student Success Advisor for details.

* Note: Students who are not prepared for this math course may need additional math credits/preparation. Please consult your Student Success Advisor for more information.

General Education Requirement (30-35 Credits)


See General Education  for course options.

  • Core Course Requirements (12-15 Credits)
  • Knowledge Area Requirements (16-20 Credits)

Please note: All students must complete a minimum of 30 credits between the Core and Knowledge Area requirements.

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree Requirement (12 Credits*)


  • Bachelor of Science Degree - Math or Science minimum requirement 12 Credits

* Note: A portion of the B.S. requirements may be met by fulfilling the General Education  Core and Knowledge Areas. Because of this, these credits are typically not counted in the degree total at the bottom of page. Some students majoring in non-science fields may need additional math/science courses to reach the minimum 12 credits. Consult your Student Success Advisor for details. 

Geology Curriculum Summary (79 Credits)


Geology Electives (10 Credits)


Select a minimum of 10 credits from the following:

Free Electives (6-13 Credits)


Total elective credit is determined by General Education courses taken, degree type selected, additional credits earned, and any additional math or other prerequisite courses needed. For a bachelor’s degree, students must earn a minimum of 40 upper-division credits (courses numbered 3000-4999). Students may need to select additional upper-division courses not included in their major requirements in order to reach this minimum. Please consult your Student Success Advisor for details.

Total Credits, B.S. Degree: 120


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