Geosciences Program
Program Overview
Introduction
Geologists and hydrologists study the composition, structure and other physical aspects of the Earth as well as the Earth’s geologic past and present by using sophisticated instruments to analyze the composition of rocks and fluids. Many geoscientists search for natural resources, such as groundwater, petroleum, minerals and metals. Others work closely with environmental scientists to preserve and clean up the environment.
Curriculum
The ASU Geosciences program includes a Bachelor of Science in Geosciences and a minor in Earth Science. Because the primary entry-level degree in the Geosciences is a master’s degree, our primary educational objective is to prepare students for graduate study in geology, geophysics, engineering, environmental science and hydrology. This program emphasizes teaching fundamental field geology-based skills and analytical problem-solving techniques.
Full-time faculty expertise and research interests are in traditional core areas of geology, including:
- Structural geology
- Hydrogeology
- Petrology
- Geochemistry
Part-time geology faculty bring additional expertise in hydrology, planetary geology, geographic information science, astronomy and science education.
The Geosciences bachelor’s degree plan is interdisciplinary: students minor in a complementary field, such as physics, range and wildlife management, computer science, ecology and evolutionary biology, chemistry or mathematics. Students also take coursework in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Prior to graduation, students will be prepared to take the national Fundamentals of Geology Exam as part of Professional Geologist certification.
Most students will complete an undergraduate research project. The San Angelo office of the United States Geological Survey (USGS) supervises several research projects and helps to teach several courses. The curriculum is coordinated with the Texas Tech University Department of Geosciences, a nationally respected master’s degree and Ph.D. granting department.
Employment
Employment growth of 18 percent is expected for geoscientists and hydrologists between 2008 and 2018, which is larger than the average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The average entry-level salary of 2008 M.S. graduates in oil industry positions was $86,600, a 35-percent increase in three years, according to the American Association of Petroleum Geologists.
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Geoscience
(120 semester hours)
| Courses | Hours |
|---|---|
| Geology 1303/1103, 1304/1104 | 8 |
| Geology 3102, 3302, 3400, 3402, 3411, 3600 | 22 |
| Geology 3302 or 3308 | 3 |
| Geology 3303 or 3304 | 3 |
| Geology 3310 or 4300 | 3 |
| Geology 4091, 4303, or 4304 | 3 |
| Courses | Hours |
|---|---|
| Chemistry 1311/1111, 1312/1112 | 8 |
| Computer Science 1314 | 3 |
| English 3351 | 3 |
| General Studies 1181 | 1 |
| Management 3361 | 3 |
| Mathematics 2413 *, 2414, 3415 | 12 |
| Physics 2325/2125, 2326/2126 | 8 |
| Courses | Hours |
|---|---|
| Core Curriculum. Students should be aware that some majors specify particular courses to meet core-curriculum requirements when options are available. | 42 |
| Courses | Hours |
|---|---|
| Electives | 10 |
*The student is expected to have completed two years of high school algebra, one year of high school geometry, and a precalculus course. If not, the student will be advised whether Mathematics 1314, 1316, and/or 2312 should be completed before enrollment in Mathematics 2413.
