University of Nebraska at Omaha
Relevant unomaha.edu links:
Geoscience Degrees
B.S. or B.A. in Geology
The Geology Program in the Department of Geography and Geology offers both a B.A. and B.S. in Geology as well as a minor. The B.S. is designed for the student who wants to work in the geologic field. We have designed three tracks within the Geology B.S. program. They are described here and the actual course requirements can be found below.
First, there is the Graduate School Track, which is a standard/traditional Geology major that would prepare the student for admission into a Geology graduate program. This track would also prepare the student to work in the Geologic industry as well. It includes 45 hours of Geology courses in addition to 30 hours in the cognate fields of Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics.
The Industry Track prepares the student to work in one of the Geologic industries. It includes 40 hours of Geology courses in addition to 35 hours in the cognate fields of Geography, Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics.
The General Track is designed for the student who is very interested in Geology, but will probably pursue employment in another field. The discipline and analytical skills learned in science can be very valuable in a wide range of non-science careers. This track will provide a strong science background for a student who might go on to attend law school, or become an educator, or go into business. This track has the most flexibility in its design. It includes 43 hours of Geology courses in addition to 12 hours in the cognate fields of Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics.
The B.A. is similar to the B.S. degree, except that it includes two years of college work in a foreign language.
Graduate School Track
This track is the “traditional” track and would prepare you to pursue a graduate degree in Geoscience or Environmental Science after graduation. It is based on experience and discussions with graduate program reports from around the country and will prepare you for graduate work. This degree would also prepare you to work in the Geoscience industry.
Required Courses:
Geology:
GEOL 1170 & 1174 Physical Geology and Lab
GEOL 1180 & 1184 Historical Geology and Lab
GEOL 2300 Geoscience Data Analysis & Modeling
GEOL 2750 & 2754 Mineralogy and Lab
GEOL 2760 & 2764 Igneous & Metamorphic Petrology and Lab
GEOL 3300 & 3310 Structural Geology & Structural Geology Field Methods
GEOL 3400 Intro to Sedimentary Geology
GEOL 4260 Process Geomorphology
GEOL 4620 Advanced Field Course
GEOL 4950 Senior Thesis
And one of the following:
GEOL 3100 & 3104 Invertebrate Paleontology and Lab
GEOL 4040 Geoarchaeology
GEOL 4400 Geophysics
GEOL 4540 Geochemistry
45 or 46 hours
Cognates:
CHEM 1180 & 1184 General Chemistry I and Lab
CHEM 1190 & 1194 General Chemistry II and Lab
MATH 1950 Calculus I
MATH 1960 Calculus II
PHYS 2110 & 1154 General Physics I and Lab
PHYS 2120 & 1164 General Physics II and Lab
And one of the following:
STAT 3000 Statistical Methods I
STAT 3010 Statistical Methods II
GEOG 4050 Geographic Information Systems I
GEOG 4630 Environmental Remote Sensing
Or other approved courses
TOTAL 74 – 76 hours
Industry Track
This track has been designed for those students who plan to work in the geoscience industry upon completion of their B.S. degree. This track has been designed after consultation with employers of our graduates in the geotechnical, environmental, and energy industries. It is also possible to use this track to enter a graduate geoscience program, although you may need to make up some courses after admission.
Required Courses:
Geology:
GEOL 1170 & 1174 Physical Geology and Lab
GEOL 2300 Geoscience Data Analysis & Modeling
GEOL 2750 & 2754 Mineralogy and Lab
GEOL 3300 & 3310 Structural Geology & Structural Geology Field Methods
GEOL 3400 Intro to Sedimentary Geology
GEOL 4260 Process Geomorphology
GEOL 4540 Geochemistry
GEOL 4620 Advanced Field Course
And one of the following:
GEOL 4800 Internship (3 hours)
GEOL 4950 Senior Thesis
And two of the following:
GEOL 2600 Geohydrology
GEOL 2760 & 2764 Igneous & Metamorphic Petrology and Lab
GEOL 3100 & 3104 Invertebrate Paleontology and Lab
GEOL 4040 Geoarchaeology
GEOG 4330 Soils Genesis, Morphology, & Classification
GEOL 4400 Geophysics
39 to 41 hours
Cognates:
CHEM 1180 & 1184 General Chemistry I and Lab
CHEM 1190 & 1194 General Chemistry II and Lab
MATH 1930 Calculus for the Managerial, Life & Social Sciences
PHYS 2110 & 1154 General Physics I and Lab
PHYS 2120 & 1164 General Physics II and Lab
And three of the following:
STAT 3000 Statistical Methods I
STAT 3010 Statistical Methods II
GEOG 4030 Computer Mapping & Data Analysis
GEOG 4050 Geographic Information Systems I
GEOG 4630 Environmental Remote Sensing or other approved courses
TOTAL 74 – 76 hours
Liberal Arts/General Track
This track was developed for those pursuing a geology degree because of general interest in the subject, not necessarily as a career path. Graduates of this track might pursue careers in education, business, law school, medicine, or other fields where a deeper understanding of Geology and a highly developed critical thinking skill set would be useful. We use the term “Liberal Arts” in the traditional sense, that a degree in this track would be one where you have developed your capacity of analysis, critical thinking, problem solving, synthesis of knowledge and communication, skills needed in the modern work environment. Your degree will be a B.S. degree, but you will have a well-rounded background with this path of learning, a Liberal Arts type of training.
Required Courses:
Geology:
GEOL 1170 & 1174 Physical Geology and Lab
GEOL 1180 & 1184 Historical Geology and Lab
GEOL 2300 Geoscience Data Analysis & Modeling
GEOL 2750 & 2754 Mineralogy and Lab
GEOL 3300 & 3310 Structural Geology & Structural Geology Field Methods
GEOL 3400 Intro to Sedimentary Geology
And one of the following:
GEOL 4620 Advanced Field Course
GEOL 2500 Departmental Field Trip (at least two separate times)
And one of the following:
GEOL 4800 Internship (3 hours)
GEOL 4950 Senior Thesis (3 hours)
The internship or senior thesis could be the standard internship or senior thesis, but more likely could involve community outreach activities, service learning, or education related work – please consult your advisor
In addition:
The student must take additional Geology/Geography/related courses which add up to at least 16 hours, that should be chosen after consultation with an advisor.
At least 43 hours
Cognates:
PHYS 1110 & 1154 General Physics I and Lab
PHYS 1120 & 1164 General Physics II and Lab
CHEM 1140 & 1144 Fundamentals of College Chemistry and Lab
An approved Statistics course
TOTAL 55 hours
For more information...
about Geoscience degrees at UNO, please contact us at:
Department of Geography & Geology
University of Nebraska - Omaha
Omaha, NE 68182
Tel. (402) 554 2662