Geosciences (BAGS)
The Bachelor of Arts in Geosciences is a classical arts and sciences degree that gives students a great deal of flexibility in their choice of upper-division courses. Students must complete courses in the natural sciences, the social and behavioral sciences, and the humanities. This diversity of subjects provides an opportunity to learn about basic differences in outlook among different disciplines, the ways questions are raised and answered, and the ways the answers are validated and made relevant in practical use.
Students who plan to become professional geoscientists should pursue a Bachelor of Science in Geosciences (BSGS) degree. The Geosciences, Teaching (BSGS) concentration is available for students interested in pursuing a career teaching math and science at the middle and secondary school level.
Admissions
Information about admissions to this program is given in the school's Admissions section.
Total Hours Required: 120
Plan of Study
The Plan of Study is a suggested four-year course sequence to support academic planning and serves as a helpful guide. Currently enrolled students should meet with their academic advisor to tailor their course selections and timelines to their individual goals and circumstances.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Hours | |
| GEO 401 | Physical Geology | 4 |
| Mathematics (020) | 3 | |
| CH 301 | Principles of Chemistry I | 3 |
| First-Year Signature Course (090) | 3 | |
| Communication (010) | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| GEO 405 | Life through Time | 4 |
| BIO course | 3 | |
| CH 302 | Principles of Chemistry II | 3 |
| General Culture course | 3 | |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| GEO 416E | Solid Earth Processes | 4 |
| GEO 416S | Earth and Planetary Processes Through Time | 4 |
| BIO course | 3 | |
| Foreign Language other than English, Beginning Proficiency | 6 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| GEO 420K | Introduction to Field and Stratigraphic Methods | 4 |
| PHY 302K or PHY 303K |
General Physics Technical Course: Mechanics, Heat, and Sound or Engineering Physics I |
3 |
| U.S. History (060) | 3 | |
| Foreign Language other than English, Beginning Proficiency | 6 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| Upper-division GEO course | 4 | |
| Upper-division Elective | 3 | |
| Humanities (040) | 3 | |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (080) | 3 | |
| Interdisciplinary Studies course | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| Upper-division GEO course | 3 | |
| Upper-division elective | 3 | |
| American and Texas Government (070) | 3 | |
| Upper-division Social Science course | 3 | |
| Interdisciplinary Studies course | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| Upper-division GEO course | 3 | |
| Upper-division Interdisciplinary Studies course | 3 | |
| American and Texas Government (070) | 3 | |
| Upper-division elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| Upper-division GEO course | 3 | |
| Upper-division elective | 3 | |
| U.S. History (060) | 3 | |
| Visual and Performing Arts (050) | 3 | |
| Upper-division Interdisciplinary Studies course | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Requirements
All requirements are listed below, starting with the most specialized moving to the most general. Additional requirements may follow the table, so be sure to read the entire page. Some required courses listed below may also satisfy General Education requirements, including Core Curriculum.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Major | ||
| Hours chosen from: | 3 | |
| Physical Geology | ||
| OR | ||
| Introduction to Geology | ||
| GEO 405 | Life through Time | 4 |
| GEO 416E | Solid Earth Processes | 4 |
| GEO 416S | Earth and Planetary Processes Through Time | 4 |
| GEO 420K | Introduction to Field and Stratigraphic Methods | 4 |
| Hours chosen from: biology | 6 | |
| CH 301 | Principles of Chemistry I | 3 |
| CH 302 | Principles of Chemistry II | 3 |
| Hours chosen from: physics | 3 | |
| Hours chosen from: additional geological sciences | 14 | |
| Subtotal | 48 | |
| Degree | ||
| Foreign Language other than English, Intermediate Proficiency | ||
| Additional social science, chosen from the following fields. (Field must differ from the course used to fulfill core curriculum.): | 3 | |
Anthropology | ||
Economics | ||
Geography | ||
Linguistics | ||
Psychology | ||
Sociology | ||
| Additional natural sciences chosen from the following fields. (No more than three hours may be in either the history of science or the philosophy of science, and choices must differ from courses taken to fulfill core curriculum.) | 6 | |
Astronomy | ||
Biology | ||
Chemistry | ||
Marine science | ||
Nutrition | ||
Physical science | ||
Physics | ||
Mathematics | ||
Computer science | ||
Experimental psychology | ||
Physical anthropology | ||
Physical geography | ||
Philosophy (course in logic) | ||
History of science and philosophy of science | ||
| Additional General Culture hours chosen from the following fields. (Field must differ from the course taken to fulfill core curriculum.): | 3 | |
Architecture | ||
Classical civilization, Greek, Latin | ||
Art history, design, ensemble, fine arts, instruments, music, studio art, theatre and dance, visual art studies | ||
Philosophy (excluding courses in logic) | ||
| Interdisciplinary Studies | ||
| Additional hours chosen from a single interdisciplinary studies fields listed below (may not also be counted toward other requirements) | 6 | |
| Additional upper-division hours chosen from the interdisciplinary studies fields listed below (may not also be counted toward other requirements) | 6 | |
| Interdisciplinary studies fields: | ||
Anthropology | ||
Astronomy | ||
Biology | ||
Business | ||
Computer science | ||
Chemistry | ||
Education | ||
Engineering | ||
Geography | ||
Mathematics | ||
Physics | ||
Other disciplines may be chosen with submission and approval of a petition through the JSG Student Services Office. | ||
| Hours chosen from: upper-division coursework | 12 | |
| Subtotal | 36 | |
| General Education | ||
| Remaining Core Curriculum (42 hours total) | 36 | |
| Free electives: Additional coursework to reach total hours required. | ||
| Subtotal | 36 | |
| College Requirements - Geosciences | ||
| General University Requirements | ||
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Additional Requirements and Policy
The coursework counted toward the degree may include no more than 36 hours in any one field of study in the College of Liberal Arts or the College of Natural Sciences; and no more than 36 hours in any other single college or school of the University, including the Jackson School of Geosciences.
At least 18 semester hours of coursework in geological sciences, including six hours of upper-division coursework, must be completed in residence at the University. As long as all residence rules are met, credit may be earned by examination, by extension, by correspondence (up to 30 percent of the semester hours required for the degree).