Program: B.S., Geology
Geophysics
Overview
This Option provides the necessary preparation in mathematics and physics to succeed in geoscience applications that require strong backgrounds in these associated disciplines. This option well prepares students for technical careers in geophysics or for advanced studies in graduate school. The B.S. Honors Program is available for this option.
Program Requirements
1. Lower Division Required Courses (55 units)
CHEM 101/L General Chemistry I and Lab (4/1)
CHEM 102/L General Chemistry II and Lab (4/1)
COMP 110/L Introduction to Algorithms and Programming and Lab (3/1)
GEOL 101/102 Geology of Planet Earth and Lab (3/1)
or GEOL 110/112 Earth and Life Through Time and Lab (3/1)
GEOL 207/L Mineralogy and Lab (3/1)
GEOL 235 Introduction to Field Methods (2)
MATH 150A Calculus I (5)
MATH 150B Calculus II (5)
MATH 250 Calculus III (3)
MATH 280 Applied Differential Equations (3)
PHYS 225/220AL Physics I and Mechanics Lab (4/1)
PHYS 226/220BL Physics II and Electricity and Magnetism Lab (4/1)
PHYS 227/L Physics III and Lab (4/1)
2. Upper Division Required Courses (19 units)
GEOL 307/L Petrology and Lab (3/1)
GEOL 310/L Structural Geology and Lab (3/1)
GEOL 443/L Principles of Stratigraphy and Lab (3/1)
GEOL 460 Theoretical Geophysics (3)
GEOL 464/L Applied Geophysics and Lab (3/1)
3. Electives (10 units)
These should be selected from any Upper Division Geology courses, except 300 and 301. Other electives might qualify, but they require approval of the Departmental undergraduate advisor. Note: Students in the Honors Program must take GEOL 497 (1 unit) and 498 (3 units), plus 6 units of electives.
Total Units in the Major, Option IV: 84
General Education: 33
(Basic Skills Mathematics and the entire section of Natural Sciences are met by required courses in the major.)
Additional Units: 3
Total Units Required for the B.S. Degree, Option IV: 120
More information
If you would like more information about this program, please contact geology@csun.edu.
Contact
Chair: Vicki Pedone
Live Oak Hall (LO) 1202
(818) 677-3541
www.csun.edu/geology
Student Learning Outcomes
Undergraduate majors will receive instruction of sufficient breadth, depth and currency to prepare them for successful appointment to entry-level professional work or graduate school. At the time of graduation, they will be able to:
- Demonstrate conceptual understanding of different earth materials and the processes that shape them throughout their history;
- Identify geologic problems and develop testable hypotheses that aid in their solution, both independently and in collaboration with others;
- Demonstrate skills in standard data-gathering and data-analysis methods in both lab and field settings; and
- Present polished summaries, both written and oral, of their geological discoveries.