Mar 29, 2024  
Rensselaer Catalog 2021-2022 
    
Rensselaer Catalog 2021-2022 [Archived Catalog]

Geology


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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 Core Elective Credit Hours: 4

Spring


  • HASS Core Elective Credit Hours: 4

Second Year


Fall


  • HASS Core Elective Credit Hours: 4

Spring


  • HASS Core Elective Credit Hours: 4

Third Year


The Arch Summer Semester*


*For students who have applied for and been granted an exception, please see your advisor for course exemptions. For listing of the exception process go to: http://info.rpi.edu/arch/students/#ExceptionProcess.

  • HASS Elective Credit Hours: 8 credits
  • Free Elective: 4 credits

Fall or Spring


  • Biology Requirement Credit Hours: 4
    (See footnote 2 below)
  • Elective Credit Hours: 8
  • ERTH 4XXX selected from the ERTH Electives: (4 credits)

Fourth Year


Fall


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

Spring


  • Culminating Experience  Credit Hours: 4
  • Electives  Credit Hours: 6-7

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


Four credits total from the following:

  • 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 (choose one):
    -BIOL 1010 or an approved alternate life sciences course
    -ERTH 2160 - Introduction to Geobiology (permission required)

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