Geology

Three unique tracks to choose from

With the Geology major at Alfred University, you get an educational framework that allows you to pursue a greater understanding of our planet, the processes acting on it, and its history, no matter what your background. The Geology major provides you the foundation needed to enter into a career in geological sciences, surveying, teaching, and even pursuing graduate programs in geology, environmental science, hydrology, or planetary science.

School/Division

Campus Locations

Main Campus - Alfred, NY

Major

Geology (BA)

Double Major

Double Major option(s) offered.
Learn More

Minor

Geology

The following core courses are required for the Geology Science Major:

Choose one introductory course from:
  • GEOL 101 This Dynamic Earth
  • GEOL 103 Earthquakes and Volcanoes
  • GEOL 104 Earth and Life Through Time
  • GEOL 106 Elementary Oceanography
Take the following four courses:
  • GEOL 201 Surficial Geology
  • GEOL 301 Structural Geology
  • GEOL 302 Mineralogy and Petrology
  • GEOL 464 Hydrogeology
    or ENVS 351 Environmental Biogeochemistry

General Geology Track:

In addition to the above 20 credit hours required for all tracks, take:

  • ENVS 205 Environmental Data Analysis
  • GEOL 206 Fieldcraft–Outdoor Proficiency
  • ENVS 220 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems

Select eight credits from the following:

  • ENVS 320 Advanced GIS Applications
  • ENVS 351 Environmental Biogeochemistry (if not used above)
  • GEOL 307 Stratigraphy and Sedimentation
  • GEOL 408 Tectonics
  • GEOL 414 Geophysics
  • GEOL 464 Hydrogeology (if not used above)

Planetary Science Track:

In addition to the above 20 credit hours required for all tracks, take:

  • ASTR 302 Planetary Science
  • CHEM 105 General Chemistry I
  • CHEM 106 General Chemistry II
  • MATH 151 Calculus I
  • MATH 152 Calculus II
Select eight credits from the following:
  • CEMS 235 Thermodynamics of Materials
  • CEMS 251 Mechanics of Materials
  • CHEM 343 Physical Chemistry I
  • CHEM 346 Physical Chemistry II
  • GEOL 408 Tectonics
  • GEOL 414 Geophysics
  • GEOL 464 Hydrogeology (if not used above)

Earth Science Education Track

In addition to the above 20 credit hours required for all tracks, take:

  • MATH 102 Mathematics for Early Childhood/Childhood Teachers
  • College of Liberal Arts and Sciences 101
  • GEOL 206 Fieldcraft–Outdoor Proficiency

Select eight credits from the following:

  • ASTR 103 Introductory Astronomy
  • ASTR 107 Elementary Astronomy Lab
  • ENVS 220 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
  • ENVS 320 Advanced GIS Applications
  • ENVS 351 Environmental Biogeochemistry (if not used above)
  • GEOL 307 Stratigraphy and Sedimentation
  • GEOL 408 Tectonics
  • GEOL 414 Geophysics
  • GEOL 464 Hydrogeology (if not used above)
  • SCIE 110 Weather Elements

*Other field activities may be used to fulfill this requirement. Arrangements should be made prior to the end of the junior year.

View general education requirements.

In addition to fulfilling the requirements of the major in Geology, as well as the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences general education requirements, you'll be required to complete the College's First Year Experience Program or Transfer Student Program.

Requirements for the minor in Geology:

A Geology minor may be obtained by completing (with grades of “C” or better), one 100-level geology course and 16 credit hours of upper level geology courses. These may include CEMS 214 or CEMS 215.

Total credit hours required: 20

Three tracks for Geology as a double major are available to all AU students: General Geology, Planetary Geology and Earth Science Education. To earn a double major, take courses listed below. All courses submitted for the double major must have a grade of "C" or better.

Learn more about Double Majors

General Geology Track

At least one introductory course from the following

  • GEOL 101 This Dynamic Earth
  • GEOL 103 Earthquakes and Volcanoes
  • GEOL 104 Earth and Life Through Time
  • GEOL 105 Environmental Geology
  • GEOL 106 Elementary Oceanography

All of the following:

  • GEOL 201 Surficial Geology
  • GEOL 206 Fieldcraft – Outdoor Proficiency
    or an approved Field Camp at another institution
  • GEOL 301 Structural Geology
  • GEOL 302 Mineralogy and Petrology
  • GEOL 464 Hydrogeology
    or ENVS 351 Environmental Biogeochemistry
  • ENVS 205 Environmental Data Analysis
  • ENVS 220 Intro to GIS

Electives: At least 8 credit hours from the following:

  • GEOL 307 Stratigraphy and Sedimentation
  • GEOL 408 Tectonics
  • GEOL 414 Geophysics
  • GEOL 424 Clay Mineralogy
  • GEOL 464 Hydrogeology (counts as an elective only if not counted above)
  • ENVS 320 Advanced GIS Applications
  • ENVS 351 Environmental Biogeochemistry (counts as an elective only if not counted above)

Planetary Geology Track

At least one introductory course from the following

  • GEOL 101 This Dynamic Earth
  • GEOL 103 Earthquakes and Volcanoes
  • GEOL 104 Earth and Life Through Time
  • GEOL 105 Environmental Geology
  • GEOL 106 Elementary Oceanography

All of the following:

  • GEOL 201 Surficial Geology
  • GEOL 301 Structural Geology
  • GEOL 302 Mineralogy and Petrology
  • GEOL 464 Hydrogeology
    or ENVS 351 Environmental Biogeochemistry
  • MATH 151 Calculus I
  • MATH 152 Calculus II
  • ASTR 302 Planetary Science
  • CHEM 105 General Chemistry I
  • CHEM 106 General Chemistry II

Electives: At least 8 credit hours from the following:

  • GEOL 408 Tectonics
  • GEOL 414 Geophysics
  • GEOL 464 Hydrogeology (counts as an elective only if not counted above)
  • CHEM 343 Physical Chemistry I
  • CHEM 346 Physical Chemistry II
  • MECH 241 Mechanics of Materials
  • CEMS 235 Thermodynamics of Materials

Earth Science Education Track

At least one introductory course from the following

  • GEOL 101 This Dynamic Earth
  • GEOL 103 Earthquakes and Volcanoes
  • GEOL 104 Earth and Life Through Time
  • GEOL 105 Environmental Geology
  • GEOL 106 Elementary Oceanography
  • GEOL 109 The Physical World

All of the following:

  • GEOL 201 Surficial Geology
  • GEOL 206 Fieldcraft – Outdoor Proficiency
    or an approved Field Camp at another institution
  • GEOL 301 Structural Geology
  • GEOL 302 Mineralogy and Petrology
  • GEOL 464 Hydrogeology
    or ENVS 351 Biogeochemistry
  • MATH 102 Mathematics for K - 6 Teachers

Electives: At least 8 credit hours from the following:

  • GEOL 307 Stratigraphy and Sedimentation
  • GEOL 408 Tectonics
  • GEOL 414 Geophysics
  • GEOL 424 Clay Mineralogy
  • GEOL 464 Hydrogeology (counts as an elective only if not counted above)
  • ENVS 220 Introductory GIS
  • ENVS 320 Advanced GIS Applications
  • ENVS 351 Environmental Biogeochemistry (counts as an elective only if not counted above)
  • SCIE 110 Weather Elements
  • ASTR 103 Intro to Astronomy
  • ASTR 107 Astronomy Lab

Geologists work in the field, laboratory, classroom and the office. Entry level positions frequently take the geologist into the field to gather data/samples for analysis laboratory. Geologists work in a range of fields including: Geophysics, Geochemistry, Petroleum Geology, Hydrogeology, Engineering Geology, Environmental Geology, and Sedimentology.

Recent graduate examples include:

  • Operator (Remediation) – Alpha Geoscience
  • Field Geologist – Haley and Aldrich
  • Outdoor Instructor – OMSI Hancock Field Station
  • Inventory Arborist – Davey Resource Group
  • Earth Science Teacher – San Diego City School District
  • Project Geologist – D.W. Koreza, Inc.
  • Earth Science Teacher – Dansville Central School District
  • Environmental Educator – Robert A. Macoskey Center for Sustainable Systems Educ.
  • Geologist – Groundwater & Environmental Services, Inc.

Similar Programs

Majors in our Geology program often consider minoring or double-majoring in the following programs:

All Undergraduate Programs