Geology

• Department Information
• Program Description
• Career Opportunities
• Features
• Major Requirements (B.S.)
• Major Requirements (B.A.)
• Other Degree Requirements
• Minor Requirements
• Undergraduate Courses
• Footnote

Department Information

Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences
College of Science
Office: North Science 329
Phone: (510) 885-3486
Email: geology@csueastbay.edu
Website: http://www20.csueastbay.edu/csci/departments/earth/index.html
 
Professor
James L.J. Houpis, Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley
Jeffery C. Seitz (Chair), Ph.D. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Associate Professors
Mitchell Craig, Ph.D. Georgia Institute of Technology
Luther M. Strayer, Ph.D. University of Minnesota

Assistant Professor
Jean Moran, Ph.D. University of Rochester

Back to top

Program Description

Geology is the study of the earth and of life and the natural processes occurring in or on the earth through time. Along with studying the impacts of human activities on the environment, students can learn about the causes of earth processes such as earthquakes, volcanoes, the formation of mountains, the effect of erosion and deposition, and the formation of rocks and minerals and their uses. Coursework combined with observations on field trips provide Cal State East Bay students with an understanding of natural processes and the human impact on the environment.

The undergraduate degree programs consist of required courses plus electives designed to meet the needs of students with objectives ranging from employment at the Bachelor's degree level, through preparation for a secondary school teaching credential, to graduate study in Geology. A B.S. major in Geology is the primary, professional program in Geology, and serves as preparation for employment in the field, usually on a technical level; those wishing to do independent geological work should plan on graduate study. The B.A. degree major is designed for persons who do not necessarily plan to become professional geologists or to go on to graduate work. (Note: Transfer from the B.A. to the B.S. program or vice versa can be accomplished.)

Student Learning Outcomes

Students graduating with a B.S. or B.A. in Geology from Cal State East Bay will be able to:

1. classify and identify geologic materials
2. produce and interpret geologic maps and cross-sections
3. produce and interpret quantitative scientific data related to earth processes
4. apply fundamentals of chemistry, physics and mathematics to solving geologic problems
5. effectively communicate scientific ideas and results verbally and in writing
6. utilize keen observational skills in the laboratory and field
7. visualize subsurface structures and processes in 3 dimensions
8. conduct independent field work
9. understand geologic time, evolutions and global processes such as plate tectonics and climate change

Back to top

Career Opportunities

• Engineering Geologist
• Environmental Geologist
• Geochemist
• Geologist
• Geophysicist
• Hydrologist
• Mineralogist
• Paleontologist
• Park Ranger
• Petrologist
• Seismologist
• Soils Engineer
• Stratigrapher
• Oceanographer

Back to top

Features

The undergraduate Geology programs emphasize field and laboratory training. Many opportunities for field and laboratory research exist throughout northern California and elsewhere.
 
The Cummings Earth Science Club, a student organization, sponsors a variety of activities including speakers, field trips, employment workshops, and student-faculty gatherings. The club is an important part of department life, providing students with opportunities to make professional contacts, to explore graduate school and professional options, and to enjoy the company of others with similar interests. For more information, contact the faculty advisor or the current club president at (510) 885-3486.
 
Students completing the Geology major may apply four (4) units of mathematics and eight (8) units of chemistry (or physics) to the Natural Sciences and Mathematics requirement (Area B) in their General Education Requirements. (See the General Education Evaluator and Class Schedule for more information.)

Back to top

Major Requirements (B.S.)

Please consult an advisor in your major department for clarification and interpretation of your major requirements. The major consists of 108 units; the B.S. degree requires a total of 180 units.

1. Core Courses (77-80 units)
   • CHEM 1101, 1102, 1103 General Chemistry (5, 5, 5)
   • GEOL 2101 Physical Geology (5)
   • GEOL 2102 Earth and Life Through Time (4)
   • GEOL 3601 Mineralogy and Optical Crystallography (5)
   • GEOL 3701 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology (5)
   • GEOL 3801 Sedimentology and Stratigraphy (5)
   • GEOL 3810 Structural Geology (5)
   • GEOL 3910 Geologic Field Methods (3)
   • GEOL 4800 Seminar (2)
   • GEOL 4000-level course on Field Geology, with consent of advisor (8)
   • MATH 1304, 1305 Calculus I and II (4, 4)
   • PHYS 1001, 1002, 1003 General Physics
     or PHYS 2701, 2702, 2703¹ Introductory Physics (12-15)
2. Electives (28-31 units)
   Twenty-eight (28) to 31 units, depending on physics sequence completed, from among the courses listed below. At least 10 units must be in 4000-level geology courses. Up to 12 of the elective units may be satisfied with appropriate courses in Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Mathematics and Computer Science, Physics, and/or Statistics approved in advance by a faculty advisor.
   
   GEOL 3110, 3400, 4010, 4130, 4320, 4800 (not more than 2 units), 4900, 4910 (not more than 4 units for 4900 and 4910 combined)
   
   Students interested in a specific subdiscipline (e.g., applied geology, oceanography, geochemistry) are urged to consult the appropriate departmental faculty advisor to ensure an appropriate choice of electives.
   
   Note: Course substitutions made after arrival at Cal State East Bay must have prior written approval of the faculty advisor.

Back to top

Major Requirements (B.A.)

The major consists of 72-75 units; the B.A. requires a total of 180 units.

1. Core Courses (55-58 units)
   • CHEM 1101, 1102, 1103 General Chemistry (5, 5, 5) and PHYS 1700 Elementary Physics (4) and PHYS 1780 Elementary Physics Laboratory (1)
     or CHEM 1100 Introduction to College Chemistry (5) and PHYS 2701-2-3 Introductory Physics (4, 4, 4)
   • GEOL 2101 Physical Geology (5)
   • GEOL 2102 Earth and Life Through Time (4)
   • GEOL 3601 Mineralogy and Optical Crystallography (5)
   • GEOL 3701 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology (5)
   • GEOL 3801 Sedimentology and Stratigraphy (5)
   • GEOL 3810 Structural Geology (5)
   • GEOL 3910 Geologic Field Methods (3)
   • GEOL 4800 Seminar (2)
   • MATH 1300 Trigonometry and Analytic Geometry (4)
2. Electives (17 units)
   Any additional geology courses at the 3000 and 4000 level, except GEOL 3040, 3050, 3060, 3100, 3401 and 3898. At least two courses must be at the 4000 level (no more than 4 units of GEOL 4900 may be applied).

Back to top

Other Degree Requirements

In addition to major requirements, every student must also complete the University requirements for graduation which are described in the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements chapter in the front of this catalog. These include the General Education-Breadth requirements; the second composition (ENGL 1002) requirement; the cultural groups/women requirement; the performing arts/activities requirement; the U.S. history, U.S. Constitution, and California state and local government requirement; the University Writing Skills Requirement; and the residence, unit, and grade point average requirements.

Back to top

Minor Requirements

The minor consists of 28-34 units

1. Core Courses
   • GEOL 2101 Physical Geology (5)
   • GEOL 2102 Earth and Life Through Time (4)
2. Electives
   One lower division elective from the following (4-5 units):
   • GEOL 1000 Earth Systems Science (5)
   • GEOL 1001 Introduction to Earth Sciences (or 1003, 1005, or 1006) (4)
   • GEOL 1201 Introduction to Oceanography (4)
   • GEOL 2000 Introduction to the Geology of California (4)
   • GEOL 2300 Natural Disasters (or 2301) (4)
   Four upper division electives, chosen from the following with assistance of minor advisor (15-20 units):
   • GEOL 3040 Weather and the Atmosphere (4)
   • GEOL 3050 Volcanoes and Plate Tectonics (4)
   • GEOL 3100 Geology of the Western National Parks (4)
   • GEOL 3110 Principles of Geomorphology (4)
   • GEOL 3400 General Oceanography (4)
   • GEOL 3401 The Oceans (4)
   • GEOL 3601 Mineralogy and Optical Crystallography (5)
   • GEOL 3701 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology (5)
   • GEOL 3801 Sedimentology & Stratigraphy (5)
   • GEOL 3810 Structural Geology (5)
   • GEOL 3910 Geologic Field Methods (3)
   • GEOL 4320 Hydrogeology (4)

Back to top

Undergraduate Courses

Marine Science Courses

(See the undergraduate Marine Science chapter for descriptions of the following courses.)

• MSC 4141 Geological Oceanography (6)
• MSC 4142 Physical Oceanography (6)
• MSC 4143 Chemical Oceanography (6)

Back to top

Footnote

1. Students needing a relatively rigorous preparation in mathematics and physics (e.g., for graduate study) are strongly urged to complete the calculus-based physics sequence (PHYS 1001, 1002, 1003); this requires completion of the additional calculus course MATH 2304. The additional 4 units earned in calculus may be applied to elective requirement II.

Back to top