Mar 28, 2024  
Rensselaer Catalog 2018-2019 
    
Rensselaer Catalog 2018-2019 [Archived Catalog]

Geology


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Schools & Departments

Outcomes of the Undergraduate Curriculum

Students who successfully complete this program will be able to demonstrate:

  • knowledge of science (physics, chemistry, geology, biology) and mathematics (calculus) needed to understand natural systems at a fundamental level.
  • in-depth knowledge in one particular field of science (i.e. geology, biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, or computer science) that is sufficient to allow meaningful study and insight into problems affecting natural systems.
  • an appreciation for Earth Systems, in particular, knowledge of their interconnectedness and their natural and human-induced changes through time (Earth Systems include the oceans, atmosphere, solid Earth and sub-systems thereof).
  • an appreciation for and knowledge of the societal context of science and the far-reaching impact of solid-Earth issues in society.
  • an awareness of potential career paths for scientifically trained individuals in the solid-Earth sector.
  • scientific background knowledge needed to pursue a career in the solid-Earth sector or graduate studies in a related field.

The program shown below requires a total of 124 credit hours. The program leads to a B.S. in Geology.

First Year


Fall


  • HASS Elective Credit Hours: 4

Spring


  • HASS Elective Credit Hours: 4

Second Year


Fall


  • HASS Elective Credit Hours: 4

Spring


  • HASS Elective Credit Hours: 4

Third Year


The Arch Summer Semester*


*For students who have applied for and been granted an exception, The Arch Summer courses would be taken during the fall semester. For listing of the exception process go to: http://info.rpi.edu/arch/students/#ExceptionProcess

  • HASS Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • Field Experience Credit Hours: 8
  • Geoscience and the Global Society: Current and Future Challenges Credit Hours: 4

 

Fall or Spring


  • Biology Requirement Credit Hours: 4
    (See footnotes 2 and 4 below)
  • Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • ERTH 4XXX selected from the ERTH Electives: (4 credits)
  • HASS Elective Credit Hours: 4
     

Fourth Year


Fall


  • Electives Credit Hours: 8
  • ERTH Electives Credit Hours: 4

Spring


  • Culminating Experience Credit Hours: 3-4
    (See footnote 3 below)
  • Electives Credit Hours: 7-8

Geology Group Options (Two courses from the following group)


ERTH Electives (The following are recommended as ERTH electives for the geology curriculum-choose 2 courses from the following):

Culminating Experience


  • Undergraduate Research Program

Footnotes


  1. With permission of the Department Head, a student may select another Math course (e.g. Diff Eq.,Course numbers MATH XXXX, MATP XXXX, or courses cross listed with these numbers).
  2. Biology Requirement
    -BIOL 1010 or an approved alternate life sciences course
    -ERTH 2960 - Introduction to Geo-microbiology (permission required)
  3. Culminating Experience—one of the following:
    -ERTH 4970 - Out-of-Classroom Experience in Earth Sciences Credit Hours: 3 to 4
    -ERTH 4980 - Undergraduate Research Thesis Credit Hours: 3 to 4
    -Undergraduate Research Program Credit Hours: 3 to 4
  4. With permission, a student may elect to substitute ERTH 2960.

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Schools & Departments