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Geosciences (B.A., B.S.)

Attaining greater understanding of past and present Earth processes is the fundamental goal of geosciences. To achieve this goal the geoscientist studies the minerals, rocks, fluids, and fossils of the Earth and investigates the physical, chemical, and biological processes occurring on and in the Earth.

Professional opportunities in geology exist in the environmental, energy, and mineral resources industries and in government agencies concerned with these fields. In addition, many occupations concerned with law, management, economics, and the environment utilize a background in geosciences.

Specific degree plans will be formulated by the undergraduate advisor in Geosciences. Changing circumstances may require changes to the degree plans.

Faculty

Professors: Carlos L. V. Aiken, William I. Manton, George A. McMechan, Richard M. Mitterer, Dean C. Presnall, Robert H. Rutford, Robert J. Stern
Associate Professors: Thomas H. Brikowski, James L. Carter, John F. Ferguson
Assistant Professor: Mohamed G. Abdel-Salam, Matthew I. Leybourne
Professor Emeritus: David E. Dunn, Anton L. HalesDean C. Presnall, Robert H. Rutford

Bachelor of Arts in Geosciences*
Degree Requirements (120 hours)

I. Core Curriculum Requirements¹: 42 hours
    A. Communication (6 hours)
        3 hours Communication (RHET 1302)
        3 hours Communication Elective (GEOS 4390 or NATS 4310)²
    B. Social and Behavioral Sciences (15 hours)
        6 hours Government (GOVT 2301 and 2302)
        6 hours American History
        3 hours Social and Behavioral Sciences Elective
    C. Humanities and Fine Arts (6 hours)
        3 hours Fine Arts (ARTS 1301)
        3 hours Humanities (HUMA 1301)
    D. Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning (6 hours)
        6 hours College Mathematics (See Associate Dean for recommended courses)
    E. Science (9 hours)
        8 hours of Chemistry, Biology or Physics, including laboratory component
        1 hour Geosciences Laboratory (GEOS 1103)

II. Major Requirements: 50 hours
    Major Preparatory Courses (15 hours)
        GEOS 1104 History of Earth and Life Laboratory
        GEOS 1303 Physical Geology
        GEOS 1304 History of Earth and Life
        GEOS 2406 Geospatial Science and Methods
        GEOS 2409 Rocks and Minerals
    Major Core Courses (8 hours)
        GEOS 3421 Stratigraphy and Sedimentology
        GEOS 3434 Paleobiology
    Major Related Courses (27 hours)
        Geosciences electives (15 hours)
        Science electives (12 hours)
    Advanced Writing (3 hours)
        NATS 4310² Advanced Writing in the Natural Sciences and Mathematics

¹ Curriculum Requirements can be fulfilled by other approved courses from accredited institutions of higher education. The courses listed in parentheses are recommended as the most efficient way to satisfy both Core Curriculum and Major Requirements at U.T. Dallas.
² A Major requirement that also fulfills a Core Curriculum requirement. If hours are counted in the Core Curriculum, students must complete additional coursework to meet the minimum requirements for graduation. Course selection assistance is available from the undergraduate advisor.
* Must be taken in conjunction with a second major.

III. Elective Requirements: 28 hours
    Advanced Electives (6 hours)
        All students are required to take at least six hours of advanced electives outside their major
        field of study. These must be either upper-division classes or lower-division classes that
        have prerequisites.
    Free Electives (22 hours)
        Both lower- and upper-division courses may count as electives, but students must complete
        at least 51 hours of upper-division credit to qualify for graduation.

Bachelor of Science in Geosciences
Degree Requirements (120 hours)

I. Core Curriculum Requirements¹: 49 hours
    A. Communication (6 hours)
        3 hours Communication (RHET 1302)
        3 hours Communication Elective (GEOS 4390 or NATS 4310)²
    B. Social and Behavioral Sciences (15 hours)
        6 hours Government (GOVT 2301 and 2302)
        6 hours American History
        3 hours Social and Behavioral Sciences Elective
    C. Humanities and Fine Arts (6 hours)
        3 hours Fine Arts (ARTS 1301)
        3 hours Humanities (HUMA 1301)
    D. Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning (6 hours; 2 hours extra may be counted as free
        electives)
        Calculus (MATH 2417 and 2419)
    E. Science (9 hours)
        8 hours Chemistry (CHEM 1311,/ 1111, 1312,/1112)
        8 hour Physics (PHYS 2125, 2126, 2325 and 2326)

¹ Curriculum Requirements can be fulfilled by other approved courses from accredited institutions of higher education. The courses listed in parentheses are recommended as the most efficient way to satisfy both Core Curriculum and Major Requirements at U.T. Dallas.
² A Major requirement that also fulfills a Core Curriculum requirement. If hours are counted in the Core Curriculum, students must complete additional coursework to meet the minimum requirements for graduation. Course selection assistance is available from the undergraduate advisor.

II. Major Requirements: 60 hours
    A. Major Preparatory Courses (12 hours beyond Core Curriculum) Prerequisite courses to be     completed before enrolling in upper-division GEOS courses
        GEOS 1103 Physical Geology Laboratory*
        GEOS 1104 History of Earth and Life Laboratory*
        GEOS 1303 Physical Geology*
        GEOS 1304 History of Earth and Life *
        GEOS 2409 Rocks and Minerals*
    B. Major Core Courses (39 hours)
        GEOS 2406 Geospatial Science and Methods
        GEOS 3421 Stratigraphy and Sedimentology
        GEOS 3434 Paleobiology
        GEOS 3464 Mineralogy and Petrography
        GEOS 3470 Structural Geology
        GEOS 4320 The Physics and Chemistry of the Solid Earth
        GEOS 4322 Earth System
        GEOS 4430 Hydrogeology and Aqueous Geochemistry
        GEOS 4606 Field Geology (Summer Field Camp)
        A mathematics course selected from:
            GEOS 5306 Data Analysis for Geoscientists (with permission)
            MATH 2418 Linear Algebra
            MATH 2451 Multivariable Calculus with Applications
            MATH 4332 Scientific Math Computing
        Geophysics Option (24 hours)
            MATH 2420 Differential Equations with Applications
            MATH 2451 Multivariable Calculus with Applications
            MATH 4332 Scientific Math Computing
            MATH 4362 Partial Differential Equations
            PHYS 3311 Theoretical Physics
            PHYS 3312 Classical Mechanics
            PHYS 3416 Electricity and Magnetism

III. Elective Requirements: 21 hours
    A. Advanced Electives (6 hours)
        All students are required to take at least six hours of advanced electives outside their major
        field of study. These must be either upper-division classes or lower-division classes that
        have prerequisites.
    B. Free Electives (15 hours)
        Both lower- and upper-division courses may count as electives, but students must complete
        at least 51 hours of upper-division credit to qualify for graduation. Students are strongly         encouraged to take GEOS graduate courses as free electives.

Fast Track Baccalaureate/Master’s Degrees

The Fast-Track program allows students with strong academic records to take selected graduate courses that may be applied toward the baccalaureate degree and be used to satisfy requirements for the master’s degree. Interested students who intend to pursue a master’s degree in Geosciences may apply for a Fast Track baccalaureate/master’s plan of study via the Geosciences graduate advisor. The planned coursework must be coordinated with the Geosciences undergraduate advisor; the Geosciences graduate advisor should also be notified. A maximum of 15 credit hours may be applied under this program.

Geosciences Minor

Students not majoring in Geosciences are encouraged to choose Geosciences as a minor.
Lower-division courses (8 hours):
GEOS 1103 Physical Geology Laboratory *
GEOS 1104 History of Earth and Life Laboratory*
GEOS 1303 Physical Geology *
GEOS 1304 History of Earth and Life *
Upper-division courses (12 hours): To be selected in consultation with Geosciences Undergraduate advisor

*A prerequisite course to be completed before enrolling in upper-division GEOS courses.

The University of Texas at Dallas 2006-2008 Undergraduate Catalog
Volume 31, Number 1
Copyright © The University of Texas at Dallas

This catalog is a general information publication only. It is not intended to nor does it contain all regulations that relate to students. The provisions of this catalog do not constitute a contract, express or implied, between any applicant, student or faculty member and The University of Texas at Dallas or The University of Texas System. The University of Texas at Dallas reserves the right to withdraw courses at any time, to change fees or tuition, calendar, curriculum, degree requirements, graduation procedures, and any other requirements affecting students. Changes will become effective whenever the proper authorities so determine and will apply to both prospective students and those already enrolled.

Statement on Equal Educational Opportunity
The University of Texas at Dallas is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. In accordance with federal and state law, the University prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, and veteran status. Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is also prohibited pursuant to University policy.