Geology, B.A.

Requirements for Major in Geology

The geology major is designed both for the student who plans to pursue graduate studies in some aspect of geology or become a professional geologist, and for the student who has professional aspirations outside of geology.

Nine units including; a field work experience; participation in all departmental colloquia during the junior and senior years; two cognate courses.

Requirements for All Students Majoring in Geology or Earth Science

• All students completing a major in geology or earth science must satisfy a field work requirement equivalent to one unit of study. This requirement may be fulfilled by summer research, internship or work experiences, academic year directed studies, completion of E&E 271  or E&E 375  , other suitable field experiences approved by the faculty (such as field trips sponsored by GSA), or some combination of the above.
  • After completing three or four geology courses or at the end of their junior year, geology majors planning graduate study and/or a professional geology career are urged to attend either the Albion summer field camp in the Rocky Mountains or a similar summer geology field course offered by another college or university. This experience is required by most graduate schools before entering a graduate program and is required by many industries and institutions employing geologists.
• A maximum of one geographic information systems course (E&E 133  , E&E 233   or E&E 333  ) may be counted toward the major.
• Departmental Colloquia: All geology and earth science majors are required to attend departmental colloquia regularly and to participate once each semester for four semesters.
• The geology units and the required cognate courses must be taken for a numerical grade. Students considering a geology major are urged to complete the cognate units as early as possible in their Albion career.