Geology

Three unique tracks to choose from

With the Geology major at Alfred University, you get an educational framework that allows you to pursue a greater understanding of our planet, the processes acting on it, and its history, no matter what your background. The Geology major provides you the foundation needed to enter into a career in geological sciences, surveying, teaching, and even pursuing graduate programs in geology, environmental science, hydrology, or planetary science.

School/Division

College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

Campus Locations

Main Campus - Alfred, NY

Major

Geology (BA)

Double Major

Double Major option(s) offered.
Learn More

Minor

Geology

Program Contact

Frederic Beaudry

beaudry@alfred.edu

607-871-2604

Naturally Interdisciplinary

Geology has always been interdisciplinary, and the Geology program at Alfred University prides itself on being welcoming and receptive to students with a wide variety of backgrounds and interests. Over the years we have successfully embraced the world-view of artists and engineers, athletes and nerds, wallflowers and actors. Each has brought insights and perspectives that have enriched the learning experiences of all!

Stretch Your Imagination

The roles played by physics, chemistry and biology, and their interactions on and within the Earth, form a rich base. How data from these fields are acquired, processed, and interpreted, (today and historically) provides fertile material for intellectual exploration. In our program, students find their imagination stretched, their computational skills exercised, and their perceptions enhanced.

The following core courses are required for the Geology Science Major:

Choose one introductory course from:

GEOL 101 This Dynamic Earth
GEOL 103 Earthquakes and Volcanoes
GEOL 104 Earth and Life Through Time
GEOL 106 Elementary Oceanography

Take the following four courses:

GEOL 201 Surficial Geology
GEOL 301 Structural Geology
GEOL 302 Mineralogy and Petrology
GEOL 464 Hydrogeology
or ENVS 351 Environmental Biogeochemistry

General Geology Track:

In addition to the above 20 credit hours required for all tracks, take:

ENVS 205 Environmental Data Analysis
GEOL 206 Fieldcraft–Outdoor Proficiency
ENVS 220 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems

Select eight credits from the following:

ENVS 320 Advanced GIS Applications
ENVS 351 Environmental Biogeochemistry (if not used above)
GEOL 307 Stratigraphy and Sedimentation
GEOL 408 Tectonics
GEOL 414 Geophysics
GEOL 464 Hydrogeology (if not used above)

Planetary Science Track:

In addition to the above 20 credit hours required for all tracks, take:

ASTR 302 Planetary Science
CHEM 105 General Chemistry I
CHEM 106 General Chemistry II
MATH 151 Calculus I
MATH 152 Calculus II

Select eight credits from the following:

CEMS 235 Thermodynamics of Materials
CEMS 251 Mechanics of Materials
CHEM 343 Physical Chemistry I
CHEM 346 Physical Chemistry II
GEOL 408 Tectonics
GEOL 414 Geophysics
GEOL 464 Hydrogeology (if not used above)

Earth Science Education Track

In addition to the above 20 credit hours required for all tracks, take:

MATH 102 Mathematics for Early Childhood/Childhood Teachers
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences 101
GEOL 206 Fieldcraft–Outdoor Proficiency

Select eight credits from the following:

ASTR 103 Introductory Astronomy
ASTR 107 Elementary Astronomy Lab
ENVS 220 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
ENVS 320 Advanced GIS Applications
ENVS 351 Environmental Biogeochemistry (if not used above)
GEOL 307 Stratigraphy and Sedimentation
GEOL 408 Tectonics
GEOL 414 Geophysics
GEOL 464 Hydrogeology (if not used above)
SCIE 110 Weather Elements

*Other field activities may be used to fulfill this requirement. Arrangements should be made prior to the end of the junior year.

View general education requirements.

In addition to fulfilling the requirements of the major in Geology, as well as the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences general education requirements, you'll be required to complete the College's First Year Experience Program or Transfer Student Program.

Requirements for the minor in Geology:

A Geology minor may be obtained by completing (with grades of “C” or better), one 100-level geology course and 16 credit hours of upper level geology courses. These may include CEMS 214 or CEMS 215.

Total credit hours required: 20

Three tracks for Geology as a double major are available to all AU students: General Geology, Planetary Geology and Earth Science Education. To earn a double major, take courses listed below. All courses submitted for the double major must have a grade of "C" or better.

Learn more about Double Majors

General Geology Track

At least one introductory course from the following

GEOL 101 This Dynamic Earth
GEOL 103 Earthquakes and Volcanoes
GEOL 104 Earth and Life Through Time
GEOL 105 Environmental Geology
GEOL 106 Elementary Oceanography

All of the following:

GEOL 201 Surficial Geology
GEOL 206 Fieldcraft – Outdoor Proficiency
or an approved Field Camp at another institution
GEOL 301 Structural Geology
GEOL 302 Mineralogy and Petrology
GEOL 464 Hydrogeology
or ENVS 351 Environmental Biogeochemistry
ENVS 205 Environmental Data Analysis
ENVS 220 Intro to GIS

Electives: At least 8 credit hours from the following:

GEOL 307 Stratigraphy and Sedimentatio
GEOL 408 Tectonics
GEOL 414 Geophysics
GEOL 424 Clay Mineralogy
GEOL 464 Hydrogeology (counts as an elective only if not counted above)
ENVS 320 Advanced GIS Applications
ENVS 351 Environmental Biogeochemistry (counts as an elective only if not counted above)

Planetary Geology Track

At least one introductory course from the following

GEOL 101 This Dynamic Earth
GEOL 103 Earthquakes and Volcanoes
GEOL 104 Earth and Life Through Time
GEOL 105 Environmental Geology
GEOL 106 Elementary Oceanography

All of the following:

GEOL 201 Surficial Geology
GEOL 301 Structural Geology
GEOL 302 Mineralogy and Petrology
GEOL 464 Hydrogeology
or ENVS 351 Environmental Biogeochemistry
MATH 151 Calculus I
MATH 152 Calculus II
ASTR 302 Planetary Science
CHEM 105 General Chemistry I
CHEM 106 General Chemistry II

Electives: At least 8 credit hours from the following:

GEOL 408 Tectonics
GEOL 414 Geophysics
GEOL 464 Hydrogeology (counts as an elective only if not counted above)
CHEM 343 Physical Chemistry I
CHEM 346 Physical Chemistry II
MECH 241 Mechanics of Materials
CEMS 235 Thermodynamics of Materials

Earth Science Education Track

At least one introductory course from the following

GEOL 101 This Dynamic Earth
GEOL 103 Earthquakes and Volcanoes
GEOL 104 Earth and Life Through Time
GEOL 105 Environmental Geology
GEOL 106 Elementary Oceanography
GEOL 109 The Physical World

All of the following:

GEOL 201 Surficial Geology
GEOL 206 Fieldcraft – Outdoor Proficiency
or an approved Field Camp at another institution
GEOL 301 Structural Geology
GEOL 302 Mineralogy and Petrology
GEOL 464 Hydrogeology
or ENVS 351 Biogeochemistry
MATH 102 Mathematics for K - 6 Teachers

Electives: At least 8 credit hours from the following:

GEOL 307 Stratigraphy and Sedimentation
GEOL 408 Tectonics
GEOL 414 Geophysics
GEOL 424 Clay Mineralogy
GEOL 464 Hydrogeology (counts as an elective only if not counted above)
ENVS 220 Introductory GIS
ENVS 320 Advanced GIS Applications
ENVS 351 Environmental Biogeochemistry (counts as an elective only if not counted above)
SCIE 110 Weather Elements
ASTR 103 Intro to Astronomy
ASTR 107 Astronomy Lab

Geologists work in the field, laboratory, classroom and the office. Entry level positions frequently take the geologist into the field to gather data/samples for analysis laboratory. Geologists work in a range of fields including: Geophysics, Geochemistry, Petroleum Geology, Hydrogeology, Engineering Geology, Environmental Geology, and Sedimentology.

Recent graduate examples include:

Operator (Remediation) – Alpha Geoscience
Field Geologist – Haley and Aldrich
Outdoor Instructor – OMSI Hancock Field Station
Inventory Arborist – Davey Resource Group
Earth Science Teacher – San Diego City School District
Project Geologist – D.W. Koreza, Inc.
Earth Science Teacher – Dansville Central School District
Environmental Educator – Robert A. Macoskey Center for Sustainable Systems Educ.
Geologist – Groundwater & Environmental Services, Inc.

Faculty / Staff

As is generally true in the liberal arts curriculum, the Science Division faculty's goal is to enrich your life by introducing new ways of thinking, in turn, changing the way you conceive of the earth, of time, and of nature itself.