Geology and Environmental Studies Major, BS – Planetary Geoscience Concentration

Advisor: Molly McCanta

A concentration in Planetary Geoscience consists of 37 credit hours. This concentration is for undergraduate students who want to pursue a career in applying geoscience skills to extraterrestrial bodies. Students will gain a strong geoscience background with the flexibility to supplement with additional courses tailored to their specific interest in the planetary field (i.e., remote sensing, astrobiology, etc.). Students in this concentration will develop analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills they can put to work in careers in scientific research, planetary mission development and support, teaching, and related fields.

Prerequisites:

A. Select one sequence:

CHEM 122 - General Chemistry I *
CHEM 123 - General Chemistry I Laboratory *
CHEM 132 - General Chemistry II *
CHEM 133 - General Chemistry II Laboratory *
or
CHEM 128 - Honors: General Chemistry I *
CHEM 138 - Honors: General Chemistry II *
Note: CHEM 132 * or CHEM 138 * may be taken concurrently with 300-level geology courses.

B. Take the following introductory courses:

Corequisites:

A. Select one mathematics sequence:

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

B. Select one physics course:

Select at least one additional physics, statistics, math or biology course:

Concentration Requirements:

A. Complete:

B. Complete at least 5 hours:

GEOL 440 - Field Geology
External research internships with NASA or similar organizations, or other significant summer research experiences (e.g., extended field work) may satisfy the field camp requirement. Students who engage in such activities are encouraged to consult with their advisor to determine whether it may qualify.

C. Select 12 hours (6 or more at the 400 level or above):

ASTR 151 - A Journey through the Solar System Lecture *
ASTR 152 - Stars, Galaxies, and Cosmology Lecture *
ASTR 217 - Honors: Introductory Astronomy *
ASTR 218 - Honors: Introductory Astronomy *
GEOL 210 - Life, the Universe, and Everything
GEOL 301 - Introduction to Scientific Field Methods and Analysis
GEOL 424 - GIS for Geoscientists
GEOL 432 - Geochemical Modeling
GEOL 450 - Landscapes: Earth and Elsewhere
GEOL 459 - Introduction to Oceanography
GEOL 465 - Geomicrobiology
GEOL 471 - Applied Geophysics
GEOL 484 - Planetary Geodynamics
GEOL 490 - Special Problems in Geology
GEOL 493 - Independent Study
MICR 475 - Reproducible Data Analysis
Advanced undergraduates are encouraged to inquire with instructors of 500- and 600-level GEOL courses about the possibility of enrollment. Such courses are normally closed to undergraduates, but may be opened on a case-by-case basis. Enrollment in any 500- or 600-level GEOL course counts toward the 12-credit concentration requirement in C.

* Meets Volunteer Core Requirements .

Undergraduates

Graduate Students