COLLEGE of ARTS and SCIENCES
GEOLOGICAL SCIENCES
Professor Nancy J. McMillan, department head
Professors Amato, Lawton, McMillan; Assistant Professor Ramos; Adjunct Professors Hawley, Powers, Witcher
(575) 646-2708
http://www.nmsu.edu/~geology/
DEGREE: Bachelor of Science
MAJOR: Geology
OPTION: Geological Sciences
OPTION: Earth and Environmental Systems
OPTION: Earth Science Education
MINOR: GEOLOGY
Students earning the BS Geology, any option, may also earn the Undergraduate Research Certificate in the Department of Geological Sciences. Completion of the Undergraduate Research Certificate includes completion of an undergraduate research project, participation in the department's undergraduate research meetings, and one of the following: 1) a senior thesis; 2) a manuscript submitted for a publication; or 3) an oral or poster presentation at a national or regional meeting. Undergraduate Research Certificates are presented at the department's annual awards ceremony.
The Department of Geological Sciences also cooperates with the Department of Physics in offering a B.S. degree in physics with an emphasis in geophysics. Requirements are listed in the Department of Physics section of this catalog.
MAJOR: Geology
OPTION: Geological Sciences
The option in geological sciences is a broad field of study that prepares students for employment by energy and mineral industries, environmental and water resource companies, federal, state, and local governments, and service companies that utilize earth resources. Qualified students are also prepared for graduate study in the geological sciences.
Nondepartmental Requirements (33 credits)
(May not be taken S/U and a grade of C or better must be earned.)
| CHEM 111, General Chemistry I, or CHEM 115 (preferred), Principles of Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM 112, General Chemistry II, or CHEM 116 (preferred), Principles of Chemistry II | 4 |
| MATH 191-192, Calculus and Analytic Geometry I, II | 6 |
| PHYS 211, General Physics I, or PHYS 215, Engineering Physics I | 3 |
| PHYS 212, General Physics II, or PHYS 216, Engineering Physics II | 3 |
| PHYS 211L, General Physics Laboratory I, or PHYS 215L, Engineering Physics Laboratory I | 1 |
| PHYS 212L, General Physics Laboratory II, or PHYS 216L, Engineering Physics Laboratory II | 1 |
| One of: C S 167, C Programming, C S 187, Java Programming, C E 151, Introduction to Civil Engineering, G EN 151, Introduction to Geologic Engineering, E E 161, Computer Aided Problem Solving, GEOG 381, Cartography and Geographic Information Systems, STAT 271G, Statistics for Psychological Sciences, STAT 371 Statistics for Engineers and Scientists I | 3 |
| Two semesters of a foreign language (111, 112) or high school equivalent (2 years) | 8 |
Departmental Requirements (36 credits)
(May not be taken S/U and a grade of C or better must be earned.)
| GEOL 111G, Survey of Geology OR HON 219G, Earth, Time, and Life | 4 |
| GEOL 305V, Fossils and the Evolution of Life | 3 |
| GEOL 310, Mineralogy | 3 |
| GEOL 312, Optical Mineralogy | 3 |
| GEOL 360, General Geochemistry | 3 |
| GEOL 399, Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology | 3 |
| GEOL 420, Stratigraphy and Sedimentology | 3 |
| GEOL 449, The Geological Profession | 1 |
| GEOL 470, Structural Geology | 3 |
| GEOL 490, Field Geology | 3 |
| GEOL 491, Tectonic Evolution of North America | 3 |
| GEOL 495, Geology Field Camp | 4 |
Elective Requirements (12 credits)
| Students must obtain a C or better in any four of the following courses: | |
| C E 357, Soil Mechanics | 3 |
| GEOL 216, Geology of the Colorado Plateau | 3 |
| GEOL 295, Environmental Geology | 3 |
| GEOL 335V, Earthquakes, Volcanoes, Hurricanes, and Floods | 3 |
| GEOL 353, Geomorphology | 3 |
| GEOL 424, Soil Chemistry, or GEOL 479, Environmental Soil Chemistry | 3 |
| GEOL 452, Geohydrology | 3 |
| GEOL 454, Advanced Stratigraphic Concepts | 3 |
| GEOL 465, Introduction to Isotope Geology | 3 |
| GEOL 474, Ground Water Geology | 3 |
| GEOL 475, Geology of Mineral Resources | 3 |
| GEOL 476, Marine Paleoecology | 3 |
| GEOL 478, Petroleum Geology | 3 |
| GEOL 480, Seminar (with subtitle) | 3 |
| GPHY 330, Introduction to Geophysics | 3 |
| GPHY 451, Principles of Geophysics I | 3 |
| GPHY 452, Principles of Geophysics II | 3 |
| SOIL 252, Soils | 3 |
| Other electives, including those selected to satisfy the college and university requirements, must bring the total credits to 128, of which 48 must be upper-division (300 or above). | |
| Students must work closely with their advisors in order to plan programs that allow them to meet all requirements and earn sufficient upper-division credit. |
MAJOR: Geology
OPTION: Earth and Environmental Systems
The option in geological sciences provides students with scientific insight as a foundation for careers in environmental earth science, environmental policy, and resource management. Qualified students are also prepared for graduate study in these areas. This option does not prepare students for graduate study in the geological sciences; these students should follow the curriculum in the Geological Sciences Option.
Nondepartmental Requirements (41 credits)
(May not be taken S/U and a grade of C or better must be earned.)
| A ST 311, Statistical Applications | 3 |
| AG E 337V, Natural Resource Economics, or AG E 2884V, Water Resources Economics | 3 |
| BIOL 111G, Natural History of Life | 4 |
| CHEM 111G, General Chemistry I | 4 |
| ECON 252G, Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| GEOG 120G , Culture and Environment | 3 |
| GEOG 381, Cartography and Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| PHYS 211, General Physics I | 3 |
| PHYS 211L, General Physics Laboratory I | 1 |
| Two of: GOVT 324, Environmental Policy, GOVT 340, American State and Local Govt, or GOVT 343, Congress and the Legislative Process | 6 |
| Two semesters of a foreign language (111, 112) or high school equivalent (2 years) | 8 |
Departmental Requirements (29 credits)
(May not be taken S/U and a grade of C or better must be earned.)
| GEOL 111G, Survey of Geology OR HON 219G, Earth, Time, and Life | 4 |
| GEOL 305V, Fossils and the Evolution of Life | 3 |
| GEOL 310, Mineralogy | 3 |
| GEOL 335V, Earthquakes, Volcanoes, Hurricanes, and Floods | 3 |
| GEOL 360, General Geochemistry | 3 |
| GEOL 399, Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology | 3 |
| GEOL 420, Stratigraphy and Sedimentology | 3 |
| GEOL 449, The Geological Profession | 1 |
| GEOL 470, Structural Geology | 3 |
| GEOL 491, Tectonic Evolution of North America | 3 |
Elective Requirements (9 credits)
| Students must obtain a C or better in any three of the following courses: | |
| C E 357, Soil Mechanics | 3 |
| GEOL 216, Geology of the Colorado Plateau | 3 |
| GEOL 295, Environmental Geology | 3 |
| GEOL 312, Optical Mineralogy | 3 |
| GEOL 353, Geomorphology | 3 |
| GEOL 424, Soil Chemistry, or GEOL 479, Environmental Soil Chemistry | 3 |
| GEOL 452, Geohydrology | 3 |
| GEOL 454, Advanced Stratigraphic Concepts | 3 |
| GEOL 465, Introduction to Isotope Geology | 3 |
| GEOL 474, Ground Water Geology | 3 |
| GEOL 475, Geology of Mineral Resources | 3 |
| GEOL 476, Marine Paleoecology | 3 |
| GEOL 478, Petroleum Geology | 3 |
| GEOL 480, Seminar (with subtitle) | 3 |
| GEOL 490, Field Geology | 3 |
| GEOL 495, Geology Field Camp | 4 |
| GPHY 330, Introduction to Geophysics | 3 |
| GPHY 451, Principles of Geophysics I | 3 |
| GPHY 452, Principles of Geophysics II | 3 |
| SOIL 252, Soils | 3 |
Other electives, including those selected to satisfy the college and university requirements, must bring the total credits to 128, of which 48 must be upper-division (300 or above).
Students must work closely with their advisors in order to plan programs that allow them to meet all requirements and earn sufficient upper-division credit.
MAJOR: Geology
OPTION: Earth Science Education
The option in earth science education is a collaboration between the Department of Geological Sciences and the Department of Curriculum and Instruction in the College of Education. In this option, students earn a Secondary Licensure as well as a B.S. in Geology, and become qualified to teach the Broad Sciences at the middle and high school levels. Students take one year of graduate classes in the College of Education to complete the Secondary Licensure.
Nondepartmental Requirements (51 credits)
(May not be taken S/U and a grade of C or better must be earned.)
| ASTR 105G, The Planets, OR ASTR 110G, Introduction to Astronomy | 3 |
| BIOL 111G, Natural History of Life | 3 |
| BIOL 111GL, Natural History of Life Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOL 313, Structure and Function of Plants, OR BIOL 322, Zoology | 3 |
| C EP 110G, Human Growth and Behavior | 3 |
| C EP 201, Educational Psychology | 3 |
| CHEM 111, General Chemistry I, or CHEM 115 (preferred), Principles of Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM 112, General Chemistry II, or CHEM 116 (preferred), Principles of Chemistry II | 4 |
| EDLT 368, Educational Technology | 3 |
| EDUC 315, Multicultural Education | 3 |
| EDUC 381, Field Experience | 2 |
| PHYS 211, General Physics I, or PHYS 215, Engineering Physics I | 3 |
| PHYS 212, General Physics II, or PHYS 216, Engineering Physics II | 3 |
| PHYS 211L, General Physics Laboratory I, or PHYS 215L, Engineering Physics Laboratory I | 1 |
| PHYS 212L, General Physics Laboratory II, or PHYS 216L, Engineering Physics Laboratory II | 1 |
| SPED 350, Introduction to Special Education in a Diverse Society | 3 |
| Two semesters of a foreign language (111, 112) or high school equivalent (2 years) | 8 |
Departmental Requirements (29 credits)
(May not be taken S/U and a grade of C or better must be earned.)
| GEOL 111G, Survey of Geology OR HON 219G, Earth, Time, and Life | 4 |
| GEOL 305V, Fossils and the Evolution of Life | 3 |
| GEOL 310, Mineralogy | 3 |
| GEOL 335V, Earthquakes, Volcanoes, Hurricanes, and Floods | 3 |
| GEOL 360, General Geochemistry | 3 |
| GEOL 399, Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology | 3 |
| GEOL 420, Stratigraphy and Sedimentology | 3 |
| GEOL 449, The Geological Profession | 1 |
| GEOL 470, Structural Geology | 3 |
| GEOL 491, Tectonic Evolution of North America | 3 |
Other electives, including those selected to satisfy the college and university requirements, must bring the total credits to 128, of which 48 must be upper-division (300 or above).
Students must work closely with their advisors in order to plan programs that allow them to meet all requirements and earn sufficient upper-division credit.
After completing the B.S. in Geology, Option Earth Science Education, students should apply and be admitted to the Graduate School in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, and be admitted to the Teacher Education Program (TEP). For additional details, see the Curriculum and Instruction portion of the NMSU Graduate Catalog.
To earn the Secondary Teaching Licensure, students must complete these courses and pass the NMTA Basic Skills, NMTA General Knowledge, and NMTA Content Knowledge Licensure Exams:(21 credits)
| EDUC 505, Classroom Management | 3 |
| EDUC 509, Teaching Methods Lab | 3 |
| EDUC 510, Internship/Student Teaching | 6 |
| EDUC 563, Teaching Science at the Middle School and High School Level | 3 |
| RDG 514, Content Area Literacy | 3 |
| SPED 480, Secondary Curriculum, Methods, and Materials for Special Education in a Diverse Society | 3 |
MINOR: Geology
A student cannot earn a B.S. in Geology and also earn a minor in Geology.
| GEOL 111G, Survey of Geology, or HON 219G, Earth, Life and Time | 4 |
| GEOL 305V, Fossils and the Evolution of Life | 3 |
| Eleven credits from among the following courses (courses with Geology prerequisites other than GEOL 111G or HON 219G are asterisked): GEOL 295, Environmental Geology; GEOL 310, Mineralogy; *GEOL 312, Optical Mineralogy; GEOL 335G, Earthquakes, Volcanoes, Hurricanes, and Floods; GEOL 353, Geomorphology; GEOL 360 General Geochemistry; *GEOL 399, Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology; *GEOL 420, Stratigraphy and Sedimentology; *GEOL 465, Introduction to Isotope Geology; *GEOL 470, Structural Geology; *GEOL 475, Geology of Mineral Resources; *GEOL 477, Special Problems (variable credit); *GEOL 476, Marine Paleoecology; *GEOL 478, Petroleum Geology; *GEOL 480, Seminar (variable credit); *GEOL 490 Field Geology; *GEOL 491, Tectonic Evolution of North America; and *GEOL 495, Geology Field Camp | 11 |