Geology, Bachelor of Science College of Letters & Science
“Civilization exists by geological consent—subject to change without notice.” — Will Durant
Geology is the study of the Earth, and in particular its history, structure, and the processes that have molded our planet and its biosphere. Geology involves the origin of continents & ocean basins, earthquakes & volcanoes, variations in global climate, and how these physical changes impact the evolution of life. All of these planetary processes are viewed through the prism of “deep time,” a perspective unique to geologists and one that distinguishes geology from most of the other physical sciences.
A significant component of geology is oriented toward the interaction between humans and the Earth. This aspect includes the study of resources such as minerals, oil, and water; identification & mitigation of Earth hazards such as earthquakes, landslides, floods, and volcanic eruptions; identification & mitigation of polluted ground water; land use planning; and the study of ancient & modern climate change.
The Program
Students interested in becoming professional geologists or continuing their geological studies at the graduate level should choose the Bachelor of Science degree program. The Bachelor of Arts program is for students interested in an interdisciplinary program of study, or who plan to go into pre-college teaching. The upper division electives are not restricted to geology courses but must be chosen to provide a relevant, coherent, and in-depth program of study.
Undergraduate Research
The geosciences span many disciplines at UC Davis, and students have opportunities to participate in undergraduate research in a variety of interest areas. Many students choose to complete a senior thesis to develop their research and writing skills during their senior year.
Internships & Careers
A degree in Geology provides students with knowledge and practical experience needed to pursue careers in the geosciences (government, private sector, research, teaching). The major program includes flexibility to participate in research, internships, and fieldwork to help prepare students for these career paths. The requirements for a B.S. in Geology satisfy the coursework required for the Professional Geologist licensing process in the State of California.
Global Learning in Geology
Consider studying or interning abroad through programs available through the Global Learning Hub.
Get Involved
Find your community through clubs, events, seminars, and workshops relating to geoscience.
Graduation Honors
Students graduating from the College of Letters & Science are eligible for Departmental Honors, depending on their GPA and whether or not they complete a Senior Thesis. Students who graduate with a GPA in the top percentages of their college will automatically graduate with Honors. Students who qualify for Honors at graduation may also be eligible for High Honors or Highest Honors, based upon the quality of their Senior Thesis (course number 194A-194B) or Senior Honors Thesis (course number 194HA-194HB). It is Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences policy that an "A-" grade on the thesis will earn the student High Honors, and an "A" grade will earn the student Highest Honors.
Advising
Visit the staff major advisor for help navigating major requirements and planning for your degree. Visit the faculty major advisors for additional advice on courses, careers, and graduate school. Faculty advisors: R. Motani, D. A. Osleger, M. Rudolph.
Visit the College of Letters & Science advisors for help navigating university requirements and college requirements.
Graduate Study
The coursework, research and internship opportunities, and fieldwork requirements in the Geology major help prepare students to enter graduate programs to continue their studies and prepare for their career. Students should meet with advisors and faculty to build a strong application for graduate school through additional independent research or other co-curricular involvements.
The major requirements below are in addition to meeting University Degree Requirements & College Degree Requirements; unless otherwise noted. The minimum number of units required for the Geology Bachelor of Science is 104.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Preparatory Subject Matter | ||
| Geology | ||
| GEL 050 | Physical Geology | 3 |
| GEL 050L | Physical Geology Laboratory | 2 |
| GEL 053 | Introduction to Geobiology | 3 |
| GEL 055 | Introduction to Geochemistry | 3 |
| GEL 056 | Introduction to Geophysics | 4 |
| GEL 060 | Earth Materials: Introduction | 4 |
| Mathematics | ||
| Choose a series: | 11-12 | |
| Short Calculus and Short Calculus and Short Calculus and Linear Algebra | ||
or | ||
| Calculus for Biology & Medicine and Calculus for Biology & Medicine and Calculus for Biology & Medicine | ||
or | ||
| Calculus for Data-Driven Applications and Calculus for Data-Driven Applications and Calculus for Data-Driven Applications and Linear Algebra | ||
or | ||
| Calculus and Calculus and Linear Algebra | ||
| Chemistry | ||
| Choose a series: | 10 | |
| General Chemistry and General Chemistry | ||
| General Chemistry for the Physical Sciences & Engineering and General Chemistry for the Physical Sciences & Engineering | ||
| Statistics | ||
| Choose one: | 4 | |
| Elementary Statistics | ||
or STA 013Y | Elementary Statistics | |
| Gateway to Statistical Data Science | ||
| Applied Statistics for Biological Sciences | ||
| Physics | ||
| Choose a series: | 8-10 | |
| General Physics and General Physics | ||
| Classical Physics and Classical Physics | ||
| Honors Physics and Honors Physics | ||
| Preparatory Subject Matter Subtotal | 52-55 | |
| Depth Subject Matter | ||
| Geology Courses | ||
| GEL 101 | Structural Geology | 3 |
| GEL 101L | Structural Geology Lab | 2 |
| GEL 103 | Field Geology | 4 |
| GEL 105 | Earth Materials: Igneous Rocks | 4 |
| GEL 107 | Earth History: Paleobiology | 3 |
| GEL 107L | Earth History: Paleobiology Laboratory | 2 |
| GEL 108 | Earth History: Paleoclimates | 3 |
| GEL 109 | Earth History: Sediments & Strata | 3 |
| GEL 109L | Earth History: Sediments & Strata Laboratory | 2 |
| Upper Division Electives | ||
| Choose 18 units: | 18 | |
Choose from courses GEL 130-GEL 194 or pre-selected non-GEL courses. Only one of GEL 181/EDU 181 or GEL 183/EDU 183 or GEL 185A or 185B or 186 may be applied toward elective credit. Pre-selected non-GEL courses in related fields: CHE 100, ECI 171/ECI 171L, ECI 175, ESM 100, ESM 186, ESP 152, HYD 144, HYD 146, LDA 150/ABT 150, SSC 100, WFC 102. Other courses in related fields must be approved in advance by the major advisor. No more than 3 units of upper division elective credit for courses GEL 115-GEL 120. No more than 6 units of upper division elective credit for GEL 192 or GEL 194A-GEL 194B or GEL 194HA-GEL 194HB. Students who receive approval to do a senior thesis for part of the capstone requirement may not use GEL 194A-GEL 194B or GEL 194HA-GEL 194HB for the upper division elective courses. | ||
| Non-Renewable Natural Resources | ||
| Risk: Natural Hazards & Related Phenomena | ||
| Introductory Inorganic Geochemistry | ||
| Environmental Geochemistry | ||
| Environmental Geology & Land Use Planning | ||
| Ecogeomorphology of Rivers & Streams | ||
| Introductory Volcanology | ||
| Rivers: Form, Function & Management | ||
| Introduction to Process Geomorphology | ||
| Evolutionary History of Vertebrates | ||
| Basin Analysis | ||
| Advanced Igneous Petrology | ||
| Historical Ecology | ||
| Advanced Metamorphic Petrology | ||
| Radiogenic Isotope Geochemistry & Cosmochemistry | ||
| Geology of Ore Deposits | ||
| Stable Isotopes & Geochemical Tracers | ||
| Geothermal Systems | ||
| Physical & Chemical Oceanography | ||
| Geological Oceanography | ||
| Biological Oceanography | ||
| Paleobiology of Protista | ||
| Hydrogeology & Contaminant Transport | ||
| Geological Data Analysis | ||
| Geophysical Field Methods | ||
| Geophysics of the Solid Earth | ||
| Planetary Geology & Geophysics | ||
| Advanced Field Geology | ||
| Teaching in Science & Mathematics | ||
| Field Studies in Marine Geochemistry | ||
| Teaching High School Mathematics & Science | ||
| Conceptual Integrated Science for Non-Science Majors: The Physical World | ||
| Conceptual Integrated Science for Non-Science Majors: Earth System Science | ||
| Facilitating Learning in STEM Classrooms | ||
| Seminar in Geology | ||
| Internship in Geology | ||
| Senior Thesis | ||
| Senior Thesis | ||
| Senior Honors Project | ||
| Senior Honors Project | ||
| Environmental Water Chemistry | ||
| Teaching in Science & Mathematics | ||
| Teaching High School Mathematics & Science | ||
| Soil Mechanics | ||
| Soil Mechanics Laboratory | ||
| Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering | ||
| Principles of Hydrologic Science | ||
| Environmental Remote Sensing | ||
| Coastal Oceanography | ||
| Groundwater Hydrology | ||
| Hydrogeology & Contaminant Transport | ||
| Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | ||
| Principles of Soil Science | ||
| Field Studies in Fish Biology | ||
| Capstone | ||
| Choose two summer field courses. A senior thesis may only be substituted for one of the summer field courses with the consent of the thesis advisor and an undergraduate advisor. The decision to undertake a thesis in lieu of a summer field course must be declared by the end of the spring term of a student’s junior year. | 8-10 | |
| Choose two: | ||
| Summer Field Geology: Structures & Neotectonics | ||
| Summer Field Geology: Volcanology | ||
| Summer Field Geology: Special Projects | ||
| Senior Thesis and Senior Thesis | ||
| Senior Honors Project and Senior Honors Project | ||
| Depth Subject Matter Subtotal | 52-54 | |
| Total Units | 104-109 | |