Liberal Arts (Code 160-204)

University Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR BACCALAUREATE DEGREE
Credit Requirements
Minimum total for graduation 1		120
Upper division credits (courses numbered 300 and higher)		39
Liberal Education Core		36
Academic Concentrations
Grade Point Requirements 2
Total		2.00 average
Resident		2.00 average
Major		2.00 average
Minor		2.00 average
Certificate		2.00 average
University Residency Requirements
Minimum total		30
Senior year		23
Major, Standard, upper division in residence		12
Major, Comprehensive, upper division in residence		21
Certificate		25 percent of credits
Procedures Required for Graduation
Obtain admission to the degree program and/or the College offering it.
Apply for graduation on CampS.

¹

Certain programs exceed this minimum.

²

See special requirements in each College.

Applicability of Credits Toward Graduation

Junior College or Two-Year College Credits. A maximum of 72 semester credits earned in a junior college or two-year college will be accepted as degree credits at UW-Eau Claire.

Extension Credits. Credits earned in credit outreach courses offered by UW-Eau Claire are treated as resident credits. Credits earned in extension courses offered by other units of the University of Wisconsin System are treated as transfer credits. All other (non-UW) extension and correspondence credits are normally limited to one-fourth of the total required for graduation from any curriculum.

WTCS Credits. A maximum of 72 semester credits earned in college parallel programs at Madison Area Technical College, Milwaukee Area Technical College, Nicolet Area Technical College, or Chippewa Valley Technical College may be accepted as degree credits at UW-Eau Claire. A set number of general education courses will be accepted from other technical schools. Occupational and technical courses may also be considered for transfer if the quality and content of the course work from the technical college is judged to be comparable to course work at UW-Eau Claire. Refer to the Transfer Credit Wizard or contact the UW-Eau Claire Admissions Office for information about the current transfer policy.

USAFI Credit. UW-Eau Claire will accept up to 32 semester credits for work done through the United States Armed Forces Institute, under the provision for non-UW correspondence credit (see Extension Credits above).

Activity Credit (band, chorus, drama, KINS 100-184 courses) Students may count toward graduation no more than one credit of KINS 110-184 courses. Students may count toward graduation no more than four credits earned in any single activity course and no more than 12 credits resulting from any combination of activity courses (excluding KINS 110-184 courses). 

Other Restricted Credits. For other University restrictions, see the following: Cooperative Education; Credit by Examination; Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Registration; Transfer of Credits. College or departmental restrictions may also be placed on Independent Study (399-499 courses), Directed Study (395-495), and other types of credits.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
APPLICABILITY OF CREDITS TOWARD GRADUATION		Credit Restrictions
Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
Total degree credit		maximum 12
Major, Standard		maximum 1 course
Major, Comprehensive		maximum 2 courses
Minor		maximum 1 course
Credit by Examination
Total degree credit		maximum ¼ of total
Major or minor		maximum ½ of total
Two-Year College Credits
Total degree credit		maximum 72 credits
Activity credit (band, chorus, drama, KINS 100-184)
Total KINS 100-184		maximum 1 credit
Total Band, chorus, drama		maximum 12 credits
Single course band, chorus, drama		maximum 4 credits
Extension credits
UW-System		no maximum
Other extension/correspondence		maximum ¼ of total
USAFI
USAFI		maximum 32 credits

Liberal Education Core

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire measures learning outcomes to ensure that its graduates have achieved a liberal education and prepared themselves to contribute to a complex society. Upon graduation, each undergraduate will have met the five learning goals of our liberal education core and the 12 learning outcomes they comprise. 

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
LIBERAL EDUCATION CORE REQUIREMENTS		a minimum of 36 credits
Knowledge Goal
Knowledge Outcome 1 (K1): Natural Sciences		Two (2) learning experiences
One experience in laboratory science must be selected from either K1 or K2.
Knowledge Outcome 2 (K2): Social Sciences		Two (2) learning experiences
One experience in laboratory science must be selected from either K1 or K2.
Knowledge Outcome 3 (K3): Humanities		Two (2) learning experiences
Knowledge Outcome 4 (K4): Fine Arts		One (1) learning experience
Skills Goal
Skills Outcome 1 (S1): Written and Oral Communication		Two (2) learning experiences
One S1 must meet the University Writing Requirement
Skills Outcome 2 (S2): Mathematics		One (1) learning experience
One S2 to meet the University Mathematics Requirement
Skills Outcome 3 (S3): Creativity		One (1) learning experience
Responsibility Goal
Responsibility Outcome 1 (R1): Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity		Two (2) learning experiences
One R1 must satisfy Design for Diversity
Responsibility Outcome 2 (R2): Global Perspectives		One (1) learning experience
Responsibility Outcome 3 (R3): Civic and Environmental Issues		One (1) learning experience
Integration Goal
Integration Outcome 1 (I1): Integration		Two (2) learning experiences
Service-Learning Goal
Service-Learning		30 hours

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 160-204)

The Liberal Arts major in geology emphasizes broad training in general science; the relationship between earth science and other sciences; and the flexibility and creativity in program design for meeting an individual student’s interest and employment needs. This major requires completion of the Core liberal arts program plus elective credits. This non-comprehensive major also requires completion of a minor or a second major in another department.

Core Requirements for the Geology Major

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Minimum 36 semester credits, including:
Required Courses (27-29 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 418	Earth History	4
GEOL 468	Computers in Geology	1
GEOL 470	Field Geology I	3
CHEM 115	Chemical Principles (or equivalent)	6
Capstone experience 1		0-2
Plus electives to total at least 36 credits selected from any geology course numbered 300 or higher.

¹

Each major is required to complete a capstone experience which may include: GEOL 395 (for a minimum of two credits) or GEOL 471. The capstone will consist of student selection of one of the following options: faculty/student collaborative research, preparation and presentation of a department seminar, internship, field experiences, or other approved experiences. Students working with their adviser will submit a proposal to the department faculty outlining their choice of the capstone experience and explicitly stating how the capstone fits into their personal career goals. The proposal for a capstone experience must be submitted to the Chair of the Department no later than the second week of the first semester of the senior year.

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

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. 
• Evaluate a geological field site and produce a professional report. 

Sample Degree Plan

Geology, 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, LE-K1L, LE-R3)
GEOL 118	Societal Issues in Earth Science (LE-I1, LE-K1, LE-K1L)
MATH 1XX - appropriate MATH class to meet University Math requirement		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
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 301	Earth Resources and Sustainability (LE-K1, LE-R3) 2	3
OR
GEOL 308	Water Resources (LE-K1, LE-R3) 2
Minor Elective 3		3
TOTAL FIRST YEAR		31
SECOND YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
GEOL 312	Mineralogy and Petrology I	5
GEOL 491	Advanced Special Topics	1
SECOND SEMESTER
GEOL 320	Sedimentology and Stratigraphy	4
SOME TIME IN THE SECOND YEAR
GEOG 335	Geographic Information Systems I (strongly recommended) 4	3
LE Option: Knowledge 4 (LE-K4) Fine Arts		3
GEOL elective		3
Minor electives		9-10
LE Option: Knowledge 2 (LE-K2) Social Sciences +/- LE Option: Skills 1 (LE-S1) Written and Oral Communication		3
TOTAL SECOND YEAR		31-32
THIRD YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
GEOL 418	Earth History	4
GEOL 468	Computers in Geology 4	1
SOME TIME IN THE THIRD YEAR
GEOL elective - choose from GEOL 313, 315, 345, 365 or 416		3-4
LE Option: Knowledge 2 (LE-K2) Social Sciences +/- LE Option: Responsibility 1 (LE-R1) Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity		3
Minor electives		9
LE Option: Knowledge 3 (LE-K3) Humanities +/- LE Option: Responsibility 2 (LE-R2) Global Perspectives		3
Electives 5		6
TOTAL THIRD YEAR		30
WINTERIM AND SUMMER DURING/AFTER THIRD YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
GEOL 470	Field Geology I (LE-S3, LE-I1)	3
SECOND SEMESTER
GEOL 471	Field Geology II (Elective) 6	3
TOTAL		6
SOME TIME IN THE FOURTH YEAR
GEOL Elective - Upper-division, if necessary 2, 5		3-4
Minor electives 5		3
LE Option: Integration (LE-I1) 7		3
Electives		6
Electives		15
TOTAL FOURTH YEAR		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

Electives to total at least 36 credits selected from any geology course numbered 300 or higher.

³

This major either requires a minor (24 credits) or a certificate with at least 12 unique credits. Consult with your advisor to select appropriate classes.

⁴

GEOL 468 prepares students for GEOL 470 offered during Winterim. GEOG 335 is recommended prior to GEOL 468.

⁵

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.

⁶

GEOL 471 meets the Geology capstone requirement, but GEOL 470 does not. Students not taking GEOL 471 (which has GEOL 330 as a prerequisite) must submit a capstone proposal to the chair. Another possible capstone experience is GEOL 395. Please consult with your Geology faculty advisor.

⁷

GEOL 470 (required) provides one out of two required I1 experiences. A geology major might have satisfied the entire I1 requirement by also taking GEOL 102, GEOL 106, GEOL 118, or GEOL 122.

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