University of Southern California
Bachelor of Science in Geological Sciences
The Bachelor of Science in Geological Sciences in Earth Sciences is offered by University of Southern California.
Description
The Earth Sciences major includes a spectrum of disciplines focused on understanding the processes that influence the tectonics and environment of the planet, on using this understanding to read the record of earth history written in rocks and sediments, and on developing models that can be used to predict future changes due to natural phenomena and recent perturbations caused by humans.
Issues of societal concern related to seismic risk, climate change, environmental contamination, and other geologic hazards play an important role. The department is affiliated with two research centers: the Southern California Earthquake Center and the Wrigley Institute of Environmental Studies.
The B.A. degree is recommended for students interested in the Earth Sciences but who intend to pursue careers in other fields, such as business, law, or education.
Requirements
Required CoursesIntroduction: (4 units):Any GEOL 1oo- or 200-level course (4 units):GEOL 105Lg Planet Earth Units: 4GEOL 107Lg Oceanography Units: 4GEOL 108Lg Crises of a Planet Units: 4GEOL 125Lg Earth History: A Planet and Its Evolution Units: 4GEOL 130Lg The Nature of Scientific Inquiry Units: 4GEOL 150Lg Climate Change Units: 4GEOL 240Lg Earthquakes Units: 4
Required courses from other departments (24 units)CHEM 105aLg General Chemistry Units: 4 andCHEM 105bL General Chemistry Units: 4 orCHEM 115aLg Advanced General Chemistry Units: 4 andCHEM 115bL Advanced General Chemistry Units: 4MATH 125g Calculus I Units: 4MATH 126 Calculus II Units: 4PHYS 135ag Physics for the Life Sciences Units: 4 andPHYS 135bL Physics for the Life Sciences Units: 4 orPHYS 151Lg Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics Units: 4 andPHYS 152L Fundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism Units: 4 orBISC 120Lg General Biology: Organismal Biology and Evolution Units: 4 andBISC 220Lg General Biology: Cell Biology and Physiology Units: 4 orBISC 121Lg Advanced General Biology: Organismal Biology and Evolution Units: 4 andBISC 221Lg Advanced General Biology: Cell Biology and Physiology Units: 4Required upper-division courses (12 units):GEOL 315L Minerals and Earth Systems Units: 4GEOL 387ag Undergraduate Team Research Units: 2GEOL 465L Field Geology Units: 4 orGEOL 490x Directed Research Units: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 (4 Units Required)GEOL 494x Senior Thesis Units: 2
Electives (28 units):28 additional units must be selected from MATH 225, MATH 226 or any upper-division course listed or cross-listed as GEOL.*Note:*Up to two upper-division courses from other science departments may be substituted for any two in this group, on approval of the departmental undergraduate adviser.Total units: 68