A student majoring in geology can pursue either a B.A. or a B.S. degree. The courses required for the B.S. degree prepare students for a career as a professional geologist and include those courses that a student typically needs for acceptance into a graduate program in geology. The courses required for the B.A. degree, because they are fewer, provide more flexibility for a student to combine geology with expertise in another discipline, including pursuing a second major, or plan a career in a field in which geological knowledge would be useful such as environmental law or energy resource economics for example.
Requirements for Major (B.A.)
Required in Geology
Geol 150 is the recommended introductory course for students who know they want to pursue a geology major. If students discover an interest in geology after they have taken Geol 110-115 or Geol 160, they add Geol 151, a one-credit lab tutorial, in place of Geol 150. Advanced courses that are required in geology include Geol 230, 240, 260, 340, 392, and 492, and a minimum of 6 additional semester hours in geology, of which three may be Geol 470, five may be from a summer field course, or four may be from an internship or independent study. It is strongly recommended that students regularly seek the advice of their faculty adviser concerning course selection and program planning.
Required in Related Departments
Chemistry 121.
Requirements for Major (B.S.)
Required in Geology
Geol 150 is the recommended introductory course for students who know they want to pursue a geology major. If students discover an interest in geology after they have taken Geol 110-115 or Geol 160, they add Geol 151, a one-credit lab tutorial, in place of Geol 150. Advanced courses that are required in geology include Geol 230, 240, 260, 320, 340, 411, 412, 392, and 492, and three additional semester hours in geology at the advanced level.
Required in Related Departments
Chemistry 121, a minimum of 15 semester hours in biology (from Biol 170 and 180 and higher-level courses), chemistry (from Chem 162 and higher-level courses), or physics (from Phys 200 and higher-level courses), and eight semester hours of college level mathematics (Math 131 or 201, 127 or 227, and higher-level courses) or computer science (Comp 150 and higher-level courses). It is strongly recommended that students regularly seek advice of their faculty adviser concerning course selection and program planning .
Recommended Courses (Either Degree)
Recommended in Geology
Additional courses in the department. A summer field course taught by an accredited institution is strongly recommended. Credit so gained wioll count toward the Wittenberg degree, and up to five semester hours will count toward the geology major.
Recommended in Other Departments
Courses in computer programming, statistics, technical writing, economics, and business are strongly recommended. For interdisciplinary fields such as geophysics, geochemistry, hydrogeology, oceanography, and the environmental sciences, additional courses in the Departments of Mathematics and Computer Science, Physics, or Chemistry or the Environmental Science and Marine Science programs are recommended.
Requirements for Major in Earth Science
An interdisciplinary program in earth science was established to meet the needs of the student seeking certification to teach earth sciences in Grades 7-12. The program stresses a broad scientific background with emphasis in geology. The minimum requirements appear below:
Required in Geology
Geol 150, or Geol 160 and 151, or one course from Geol 110-115 and 151, Geol 230, 240, 260, 315, 340, 392, and 492.
Required in Education
A minor in Education, including the following courses: Educ 103 or 104, 112, 120, 304, 306, 312, 342, 348, and 495. In addition, students must successfully complete the State Board of Education Examinations. Students should consult both the Departments of Geology and Education to plan a complete program that meets the Ohio licensure standards.
Required in Other Departments
Biology 180, Chemistry 121, Physics 107: Astronomy, Physics 200: Mechanics and Waves, Geography 222: Weather and Climate, and a course in statistics (Math 127 or 227, Psyc 107, or Mgt 210) .
