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 Core General Education Requirements); all College-level degree requirements (major and minor/certificate emphases, GPAs, earning at least 90 credits in Arts and Sciences course work); second language competency at the 102 level.  Second language competency may be met in one of two ways:  (1) Demonstrate a level of second language competency that qualifies the student to enter the 201-level course in a second language.  (2) Earn a grade of at least C (not C-) or a mark of S in a 102-level second language course (or AIS 112 or AIS 122 or SLHS 103).

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

Fulfillment of all University Graduation Requirements (which includes the Core General Education Requirements); 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 core general education requirements in any of the emphases.

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

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
27-29 credits
Select one of the following:		4
GEOL 106	Earth Science
GEOL 110	Physical Geology
GEOL 115	Environmental Geology
Required:
GEOL 312	Mineralogy and Petrology I	5
GEOL 320	Sedimentology and Stratigraphy	4
GEOL 330	Structural Geology	4
GEOL 468	Geological Field Methods	1
GEOL 470	Field Geology I	3
CHEM 115	Chemical Principles (or equivalent)	6
Capstone Experience (required for all majors)		0-2

All Geology majors are required to complete a capstone experience. Approved capstone experiences include 1) successful completion of GEOL 470 and GEOL 471 with a grade of C or above in both courses, 2) successful completion of GEOL 470 and GEOL 472 with a grade of C or above in both courses, 3) student-faculty collaborative research that includes the student giving a public presentation of the research and being listed as the first author of the research presentation, 4) a department-approved internship, 5) other department-approved experiences. Working with their advisor, students submit a proposal to the department faculty outlining their capstone experience choice and explicitly stating how the capstone fits into their personal career goals. The capstone experience proposal must be submitted to the Chair of the Department no later than the second week of the fall semester of the senior year.

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 418	Global Tectonics	4
GEOL 471	Field Geology II	3
MATH 215	Calculus II	4
PHYS 211	General Physics	5
or PHYS 231	University Physics I
GEOG 335	Geographic Information Systems I	3
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
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	Vertebrate Biology
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.

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

The following is a sample degree plan, based on the current 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 Core General Education Requirements (CGER). CGER course work in the following sample degree plan uses abbreviations such as CGER CL, CGER HA, and CGER NSWL to represent the learning outcomes students will meet via completion of the course. Please click here for a description of the outcomes and requirements.

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 second 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 (CGER NSWL)	4
OR
GEOL 110	Physical Geology (CGER NSWL)
OR
GEOL 115	Environmental Geology (CGER NSWL)
MATH 114	Calculus I (CGER MQR)	4
CHEM 108	General Chemistry I	4
CGER Option: Humanities & Arts (HA) - e.g., ENGL 130, HIST 114, HIST 115		3
or CGER Option: Civics & Perspectives (CP) - e.g., AIS 101 1
CHEM 109	General Chemistry II	4
MATH 215	Calculus II	4
WRIT 114	Intensive Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing (CGER CL)	5
OR
WRIT 116	Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing (CGER CL)
GEOL Elective - choose from GEOL 301 (CGER NSW), GEOL 304, or GEOL 308 (CGER NSW)		3
TOTAL FIRST YEAR		31
SECOND YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
GEOL 212	Introduction to Geology and Environmental Science	1
GEOL 312	Mineralogy and Petrology I	5
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 2	3
GEOL Elective		4
CGER Option: 2 courses from CL (e.g., CJ 203), CP (e.g., GEOG 270), HA (e.g., ART 105), or SBS (e.g., CJ 201, ECON 103) as appropriate		6
Elective - GEOG 337 is recommended but not required		3
TOTAL SECOND YEAR		30
THIRD YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
GEOL 330	Structural Geology	4
GEOL 468	Geological Field Methods	1
GEOL 315	Hydrogeology I	4
SECOND SEMESTER
GEOL 418	Global Tectonics	4
GEOL elective - choose from GEOL 336 or GEOL 416 3		3-4
SOME TIME IN THE THIRD YEAR
PHYS 211	General Physics (CGER NSWL)	5
OR
PHYS 231	University Physics I (CGER NSWL) 4
CGER Option: 3 courses from CL, CP, HA, or SBS as appropriate		9
TOTAL THIRD YEAR		30-31
WINTERIM AND SUMMER DURING/AFTER THIRD YEAR
WINTERIM New Mexico, 3 weeks
GEOL 470	Field Geology I	3
SUMMER Montana, 3 weeks
GEOL 471	Field Geology II 5	3
TOTAL		6
FOURTH YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
GEOL Elective - choose from GEOL 345 / GEOL 420, 365 3		3-4
SOME TIME IN THE FOURTH YEAR
Elective - choose from BIOL (e.g., BIOL 321), PHYS (e.g. PHYS 212, 232), CHEM, and MATH (e.g., MATH 246) 4, 6		13
CGER Option: 2 courses from CL, CP, HA, or SBS as appropriate		6
TOTAL		22-23

Minimum total for the baccalaureate degree = 120 credits

¹

Many geological issues involve working with people from other cultures. Core General Education Requirement (CGER) electives can help broaden students’ perspectives. Suggested CGER include AIS 101, AIS 243, AIS 322/GEOG 322, HIST 114, and HIST 115.

²

GEOG 335 should be taken prior to GEOL 468.

³

Minimum of two courses from GEOL 336, GEOL 345 or GEOL 420, GEOL 365, GEOL 416.

⁴

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

⁵

Earning a grade of C (not C-) in GEOL 470 and GEOL 471 fulfills the Geology capstone requirement.

⁶

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.

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.

Core General Education Requirements (CGER)