Liberal Arts (Code 160-010)

College Degree Requirements

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Degree (B.A./B.S.)

University Graduation Requirements. All candidates for degrees must fulfill the requirements for credits, curriculum, GPA, and University residency as specified in the section of this catalog titled University Graduation Requirements.

College Graduation Requirements: Grade Point Averages. All candidates for degrees in the College of Arts and Sciences must earn minimum resident and total GPAs of 2.00 in the major, the minor, and the certificate. The resident and total GPAs for the major are computed using all attempted credits applicable to the major including those offered by departments other than the major department. The resident and total GPAs for the minor and the certificate are computed similarly.

Major-Minor and Major-Certificate Requirements. A standard major (a minimum of 36 credits) must be supplemented by a minor (a minimum of 24 credits) or by a certificate (12 to 18 credits) to meet graduation requirements for completing a first and second degree program. No minor or certificate is required with a Comprehensive Major (60 or more credits) or with two majors of 36 or more credits each.

Certain degree programs, which include Comprehensive Majors, may require more than the minimum of 120 credits for graduation.

Acceptable academic program combinations are determined at the college level. A major and a minor or a major and certificate or two majors (if available) may not be elected in the same department or program, except in the approved combinations listed here.

College Credits. Earn at least 90 credits in courses offered by the College of Arts and Sciences.

Bachelor of Arts Degree in the College of Arts and Sciences (B.A.)

Fulfillment of all University Graduation Requirements (which includes the Liberal Education Core); all College-level degree requirements (major and minor/certificate emphases, GPAs, earning at least 90 credits in Arts and Sciences course work); foreign language competency at the 102 level.  Foreign language competency may be met in one of two ways:  (1) Achieve a score on the foreign language placement test that qualifies the student to enter the 201-level course in a foreign language.  (2) Earn a grade of at least C (not C-) or a mark of S in a 102-level foreign language course (or AIS 112 or AIS 122 / LANG 122 or CSD 103).

Bachelor of Science Degree in the College of Arts and Sciences (B.S.)

Fulfillment of all University Graduation Requirements (which includes the Liberal Education Core); all College-level degree requirements (major and minor/certificate emphases, GPAs, earning at least 90 credits in Arts and Sciences course work); mathematics competency at the MATH 111, MATH 112 or MATH 113 level.  Mathematics competency can be met in one of three ways:  (1) Achieve a score on the mathematics placement test that qualifies the student to enter MATH 114.  (2) Earn a grade of at least C (not C-) or a mark of S in MATH 111, MATH 112, or MATH 113.  (3) Achieve a satisfactory score on the MATH 112 competency test.  This test may be attempted no more than two times.

Major Requirements

Liberal Arts (Code 160-010)

The objective of the comprehensive major in geology is to prepare students for graduate programs in geological sciences or for careers as professional geologists, hydrogeologists, or geological engineers. The liberal arts comprehensive major requires completion of the Core and one of the four Emphases.

NOTE: Communication classes, both written and oral, are strongly recommended to fulfill liberal education requirements in any of the emphases.

Core Requirements for all Liberal Arts Emphases in the Comprehensive Geology Major

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
23-25 credits
Select one of the following:		4
GEOL 106	Earth Science
GEOL 110	Physical Geology
GEOL 115	Environmental Geology
GEOL 118	Societal Issues in Earth Science
Required:
GEOL 312	Mineralogy and Petrology I	5
GEOL 320	Sedimentology and Stratigraphy	4
GEOL 468	Computers in Geology	1
GEOL 470	Field Geology I	3
CHEM 115	Chemical Principles (or equivalent)	6
Capstone Experience (required for all majors)		0-2

General Geology Emphasis

Recommended for students planning careers in geology, especially those planning to attend graduate school in geology or engineering.

This emphasis requires completion of the Comprehensive Geology Major Core plus the required and elective credits as listed below. 

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Minimum 60 semester credits, including:
Required Courses
GEOL 313	Mineralogy and Petrology II	4
GEOL 315	Hydrogeology I	4
GEOL 330	Structural Geology	4
GEOL 418	Earth History	4
GEOL 471	Field Geology II	3
MATH 215	Calculus II	4
PHYS 211	General Physics	5
or PHYS 231	University Physics I
CS 170	Computing for the Sciences and Mathematics	3
or GEOG 335	Geographic Information Systems I
Electives
At least two courses selected from:
GEOL 336	Introduction to Geochemistry
GEOL 345	Geomorphology and Aerial Photography Interpretation
or GEOL 420	Glacial Geology
GEOL 365	Economic Mineral Deposits
GEOL 416	Hydrogeology II
GEOL 445	Engineering Geology and Geophysics
Select additional electives to total at least 60 credits from the following:
BIOL 308	Evolution
BIOL 338	Vegetation Ecology
BIOL 345	Invertebrate Zoology
BIOL 356	Wisconsin Wildlife
CHEM 213	Quantitative Analysis
CHEM 218	Introduction to Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM 433	Physical Chemistry I
CHEM 434	Physical Chemistry II
GEOG 338	Remote Sensing of the Environment
GEOG 345	Quaternary Environments
GEOG 350	Soils and the Environment
GEOG 363	Watershed Analysis
GEOG 364	Fluvial Processes and Landforms
GEOG 435	Geographic Information Systems III
MSE 315	Materials Characterization
Any Geology course numbered 300 or above
MATH 216	Calculus III
MATH 246	Elementary Statistics
MATH 311	Differential Equations
MATH 324	Linear Algebra
PHYS 212	General Physics
or PHYS 232	University Physics II
PHYS 226	Astronomy-Solar System
PHYS 229	Astronomy-Stars and Galaxies
PHYS 350	Electric and Electronic Circuits
PHYS 375	Electromagnetic Fields

NOTE 1:  No degree credit may be earned under the Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory option in any required courses in a geology major or minor. 

NOTE 2:  Students should be advised that a second semester of physics is usually required for entrance to graduate school.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students completing this program will be expected to meet the following learning outcomes:

• Explain Earth processes. 
• Use mathematics and computational methods to analyze scientific and geological data. 
• Read, write, and critically evaluate geological papers. 
• Construct an internally consistent geological map utilizing field data, topographic maps, geological maps, air photos, geographic information systems (GIS) data, and geological cross sections. 
• Describe and identify common rocks, minerals, and fossils.

Sample Degree Plan

Geology, General Geology Emphasis, Comprehensive Major, B.S.

The following is a sample degree plan, based on the 2023-2024 catalog. It is based on the 120-credit graduation requirement and assumes no transferred credits, no requirements waived by placement tests, no courses taken in the summer or winter, no repeated courses, and no remedial courses that may be required. This sample degree plan is intended for first-year students entering UW-Eau Claire in the fall semester. Your own degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). UW-Eau Claire cannot guarantee all courses will be offered as shown, but will provide a range of courses that may enable prepared students to fulfill their requirements in a timely period. This sample degree plan is just a guide. Please consult your advisor, your degree audit, and the catalog to create your own degree plan. Note: In order to earn the required minimum of 120 credits for the degree in four years, you should plan to take 15 credits each semester or 30 credits each year.

To earn a degree, students must fulfill all University Graduation Requirements, including the Liberal Education (LE) Core.  LE Core course work in the following sample degree plan uses abbreviations such as LE-K1, LE-S2, LE-R3, and LE-I1 to represent the learning outcomes students will meet via completion of their liberal education course work.  Please click here for a description of the Liberal Education Core outcomes and requirements.  Note that the LE Core may be completed through both course and non-course experiences.

Students in this major have the option to pursue either a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree.  The degrees are distinguished by foreign language competency for the B.A. and a higher level of mathematics competency for the B.S.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
SOME TIME IN THE FIRST YEAR
GEOL 106	Earth Science (LE-I1, LE-K1, LE-K1L)	4
GEOL 110	Physical Geology (LE-I1, LE-K1, LE-K1L)
GEOL 115	Environmental Geology (LE-K1, L-K1L, LE-R3)
GEOL 118	Societal Issues in Earth Science (LE-I1, LE-K1, LE-K1L)
MATH 114	Calculus I (LE-S2)	4
CHEM 105	General Chemistry I Lecture	3
CHEM 106	General Chemistry I Laboratory	2
LE Option: Knowledge 3 (LE-K3) Humanities and LE Option: Responsibility 1 (LE-R1, DDIV) Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity with Design for Diversity 1		3
CHEM 109	General Chemistry II with Lab	4
MATH 215	Calculus II	4
WRIT 114	Intensive Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing (LE-S1)	5
OR
WRIT 116	Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing (LE-S1)
GEOL Elective - choose from GEOL 301, 304, 308 or 343 (LE-K1 +/- LE-R3) 2		3
TOTAL FIRST YEAR		32
SECOND YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
GEOL 312	Mineralogy and Petrology I	5
GEOL 491	Advanced Special Topics	1
SECOND SEMESTER
GEOL 313	Mineralogy and Petrology II	4
GEOL 320	Sedimentology and Stratigraphy	4
SOME TIME IN THE SECOND YEAR
GEOG 335	Geographic Information Systems I 3	3
LE Option: Knowledge 4 (LE-K4) Fine Arts		3
GEOL Elective		4
OR
PHYS 211	General Physics
OR
PHYS 231	University Physics I
Elective - GEOG 337 not required but very useful for graduates		3
LE Option: Knowledge 2 (LE-K2) Social Sciences +/- LE Option: Skills 1 (LE-S1) Written and Oral Communication, e.g. CJ 201		3
TOTAL SECOND YEAR		30
THIRD YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
GEOL 418	Earth History	4
GEOL 468	Computers in Geology 3	1
GEOL 315	Hydrogeology I	4
SECOND SEMESTER
GEOL 330	Structural Geology	4
GEOL 416	Hydrogeology II	4
SOME TIME IN THE THIRD YEAR
LE Option: Knowledge 2 (LE-K2) Social Sciences and LE Option: Responsibility 1 (LE-R1) Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity e.g. SOC 101		3
Elective Courses in writing, public speaking (CJ 203, LE-S1), etc.		3
PHYS 211	General Physics (LE-K1)	5
OR
PHYS 231	University Physics I (LE-K1) 4
LE Option: Responsibility 3 (LE-R3) Civic and Environmental Issues 5		3
LE Option: Knowledge 3 (LE-K3) Humanities and LE Option: Responsibility 2 (LE-R2) Global Perspectives		3
TOTAL THIRD YEAR		30
WINTERIM AND SUMMER DURING/AFTER THIRD YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER New Mexico, 3 weeks
GEOL 470	Field Geology I (LE-S3, I1)	3
SECOND SEMESTER Montana, 3 weeks
GEOL 471	Field Geology II 6	3
TOTAL		6
FOURTH YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
GEOL Elective - choose from GEOL 345 / GEOL 420, 365 or 461 7		3-7
SECOND SEMESTER
GEOL Elective - choose from GEOL 304, 336 7, 8		3-4
SOME TIME IN THE FOURTH YEAR
Elective - additional PHYS, CHEM, MATH and LE-I1 8		3-4
LE Options of Interest		3-6
Elective Courses in writing, public speaking, GIS, etc		3
Elective - Additional PHYS, CHEM, MATH (246) and Ecology		3-4
LE Options of Interest		7-9
TOTAL		30

Minimum total for the baccalaureate degree = 120 credits

¹

Many geological issues involve working with people from other cultures. Liberal education electives can help broaden students’ perspectives. Potential courses that would count toward this requirement and R1 and Design for Diversity (DD) include AIS 101, AIS 243, and AIS 322/GEOG 322. Many other courses such as HIST 114 and HIST 115 also fulfill the same requirements.

²

A second Geology course might be desired by a student this semester. The upper-division elective classes listed here only have a GEOL 1XX prerequisite and would be available to students.

³

GEOL 468 prepares students for GEOL 470 offered during Winterim. GEOG 335 should be taken prior to GEOL 468.

⁴

Two semesters of Physics are generally required for attending graduate school, so PHYS 212 or PHYS 232 is strongly recommended.

⁵

GEOL 115, GEOL 201, GEOL 301, and GEOL 308 carry K1 and R3 designations. If the geology student takes one of these classes during the course of their program, then the R3 learning outcome is satisfied. If GEOL 115 is taken to satisfy the introductory geology requirement, then the student might need to take another I1 class outside of the Geology department.

⁶

GEOL 471 meets the Geology capstone requirement and prepares student for jobs in Geology.

⁷

Minimum of two courses from GEOL 336, GEOL 345 or GEOL 420, GEOL 365, GEOL 416, GEOL 461; additional credits needed from BIOL 308, BIOL 345, BIOL 356, CHEM 213, CHEM 218, CHEM 433, CHEM 434, GEOG 337, GEOG 338, GEOG 345, GEOG 350, GEOG 363, GEOG 364, GEOG 435, GEOL 300-level and higher, MATH 216, MATH 246, MATH 311, MATH 324, MSE 315, PHYS 212 or PHYS 232, PHYS 226, PHYS 229, PHYS 350, PHYS 375.

⁸

Electives must be selected to ensure that a student’s degree comprises at least 39 credits of upper-division courses (300-400 level). Students are encouraged to take additional courses in chemistry, ecology, physics, math, GIS, and written and oral communication, but electives can be selected from any discipline as long as the course prerequisites are met. The degree also must have 120 credits.

Note:  All students must complete the 30-hour Service-Learning Requirement via a non-credit or credit option (see University Graduation Requirements).

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HIGH IMPACT PRACTICES (HIPs) 
The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire encourages all students to participate in High Impact Practices. The following information identifies any specific recommendations that faculty in this major have concerning which HIPs might be most beneficial to students, and any recommendations about when those HIPs best fit into the degree plan. Students should also consult their faculty advisor for information on HIPs. There are many additional high impact opportunities available. Talk to your academic advisor for more information about incorporating HIPs like Study Abroad, Intercultural Immersion, Internship, and/or Student/Faculty Collaborative Research into your time at UW-Eau Claire.

Liberal Education (LE) Core Guidance