Undergraduate Programs

The Department of Geology offers programs leading to the bachelor’s degree in geology and earth science, as well as studies in numerical modeling, geochemistry, glaciology, hydrogeology, engineering geology, planetary geology, and environmental geology.

The programs serve both majors in geology and earth science and non-majors: those who may wish to broaden their science background; those preparing to teach general or earth sciences or geology in elementary or secondary schools; and those preparing for a master’s or a doctoral degree.

Post-baccalaureate students (with a bachelor’s degree, not in geology) who wish to become professional geologists may complete this curriculum while doing both undergraduate and graduate work in geology.

Geologists are employed by government agencies at federal, state, county, and city levels; by independent consulting firms to work with engineers, architects and planners; in the construction, mining, and petroleum industries; and as teachers in elementary and high schools and at the college level.

Geologists who have graduated from PSU are employed as researchers in mitigation of environmental problems, assessment of ground and surface water resources, exploration, development and management of mineral and fuel resources, urban planning, GIS, evaluation of the effects of forest roads and quarries on watershed health, management of their own companies, and instruction at all educational levels.

Students majoring in geology and earth science should plan to complete the required mathematics, chemistry, and physics courses as early in their program as possible.

Degree Maps and Learning Outcomes

Admission requirements

Geology B.S./B.A.

Earth Science B.A./B.S.

Geology Minor

Environmental Geology Minor

Computer Applications with an Emphasis in Geosciences Minor

Space Planetary Science Minor

Geology Secondary Education Program

Environmental Geology Minor

Requirements

To earn a minor in environmental geology, a student must complete a minimum of 29 credits (at least 14 credits of which must be taken in residence at PSU) to include the following:

Courses

G 200Field Studies

1

G 201Dynamic Earth: Interior

3

G 202Dynamic Earth: Surface

3

 

G 204Geology Laboratory

1

G 205Geology Laboratory

1

or

G 207Computer Based Geology Laboratory

2

  

G 460Soil Geomorphology

4

or

G 461Environmental Geology

4

Sixteen upper-division credits chosen from:

G 312Mineralogy

3

G 313Methods in Mineralogy

2

G 318Processes in the Surface Environment

3

G 319Processes in the Surface Environment: Methods

2

G 322Global Biogeochemical Cycles

5

G 324ComputerApplications and Information Technology

5

G 341Geology of the Oregon Country

4

G 424Geographical Information Systems for the Natural Sciences

4

G 434Structural Geology and Tectonics

5

G 435Sedimentology and Stratigraphy

5

G 440Volcanology

4

G 443Ground Water Geology

4

G 447Environmental Sediment Transport

4

G 448Chemical Hydrogeology

4

G 455Environmental Coastal Geomorphology

4

G 459Quaternary Climate

4

G 460Soil Geomorphology

4

G 461Environmental Geology

4

G 470Engineering Geology

4

Total Credit Hours: 29