Academic Catalog

Geosciences | Bachelor of Science in Geosciences (Geology)

Program Summary

General Education 34
Major Core Courses12-13
Geology Core27
Cognates17
Open Electives 129-30
Total Hours120
1

Open electives are the credit hours required to reach a minimum of 120 total hours and 45 upper-level hours.  The number listed assumes all courses are completed at FHSU as listed.  This number may vary if students transfer courses, or have individual substitutions allowed.  Students should speak with their advisor if either situation applies to determine if the number will vary, and to ensure they enroll in a minimum of 45 upper-level hours.   

Students entering within 1 year of high school graduation will take UNIV 101 Freshman Seminar and may apply that hour in the open elective category.

Program Requirements

General Education

All undergraduate degrees require completion of the Kansas Systemwide General Education

Courses identified with GE on this page may satisfy a general education requirement in addition to the identified degree requirement.  Students who apply a degree requirement to satisfy a general education requirement will typically add an equal number of hours to the university elective category.  This flexibility may allow you to complete a minor or certificate within the 120 hour degree.  Transfer students and students majoring in programs with approved exceptions are especially encouraged to select these courses in completing General Education requirements to maximize the likelihood of completing the degree with 120 credit hours.  

General Education34-35
Major Core Courses
GSCI 100Exploring Earth GE3
GSCI 240Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)3
GSCI 685Writing in the Sciences3
Select one course from the following:3-4
Biostatistics
and Biostatistics Lab
Geostatistics and Spatial Data Analysis
Elements of Statistics
Geology Core27
Exploring Earth Laboratory GE
Evolution of the Earth
Gem and Mineral Resources
Rock Origins
Dynamic Earth
Field Techniques
Applied Geology 1
Seminar in Geosciences
Cognates
CHEM 120/120LUniversity Chemistry I GE3
CHEM 122/122LUniversity Chemistry II GE3
MATH 331Calculus Methods GE3
PHYS 111/111LPhysics I GE4
PHYS 211/211LEngineering Physics I GE4
Total Hours56-57
1

Maximum of six credit hours may be counted from GSCI 454

Degree Requirements

All bachelor degrees require:
GPA of 2.0 on FHSU courses & 2.0 on all coursework (Higher program requirements prevail over the 2.0 when set)
A minimum of 30 hours earned from FHSU with a grade of D, C, B, or A
Successful completion of an upper division Writing and Information Literacy course (Most majors contain a course designated)
A minimum of 45 hours of recognized upper division credit
A minimum of 120 hours of recognized college credit
Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallHours
ENG 101 English Composition I (SGE010 - English Discipline Area) 3
COMM 100 Fundamentals of Oral Communication (SGE020 - Communication Discipline Area) 3
GSCI 100
GSCI 102
Exploring Earth
and Exploring Earth Laboratory
4
UNIV 101 Freshman Seminar 1
MATH 110
College Algebra (SGE030 - Math Statistics Discipline Area)
or Pre-Calculus Mathematics
3
 Hours14
Spring
ENG 102 English Composition II (SGE010 - English Discipline Area) 3
GSCI 202
202L
Evolution of the Earth
and Evolution of the Earth Laboratory
4
CHEM 120
120L
University Chemistry I
and University Chemistry Laboratory I (SGE040 - Natural Physical Science Discipline Area)
5
SGE070 - Institutionally Designated Area: Critical Thinking 3
 Hours15
Second Year
Fall
GSCI 101
GSCI 103
Earth and Environmental Systems
and Earth and Environmental Systems Laboratory
4
GSCI 310
310L
Gem and Mineral Resources
and Gem and Mineral Resources Laboratory
4
SGE070 - Institutionally Designated Area: Personal and Professional Development 3
SGE050 - Social Behavioral Sciences Discipline Area 3
SGE060 - Arts Humanities Discipline Area 3
 Hours17
Spring
GSCI 320
320L
Rock Origins
and Rock Origins Laboratory
4
CHEM 122
122L
University Chemistry II
and University Chemistry Laboratory II
5
SGE050 - Social Behavioral Sciences Discipline Area 3
SGE060 - Arts Humanities Discipline Area 3
 Hours15
Third Year
Fall
GSCI 450
450L
Dynamic Earth
and Dynamic Earth Laboratory
4
GSCI 452 Field Techniques 3
PHYS 111
111L
Physics I
or Engineering Physics I and Engineering Physics I Laboratory
5
MATH 331
Calculus Methods
or Analytic Geometry and Calculus I
3
 Hours15
Spring
GSCI 630
Geostatistics and Spatial Data Analysis
or Elements of Statistics
3
GSCI 240 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) 3
GSCI 454 Applied Geology 3
GSCI 682
682L
Sedimentary Petrology
and Sedimentary Petrology Laboratory
3
Directed Electives 2
 Hours14
Fourth Year
Fall
GSCI 685 Writing in the Sciences 3
GSCI 360 Intermediate Geographic Information Systems 3
Open Electives 3
Open Electives 3
Open Electives 3
 Hours15
Spring
Open Electives 3
Open Electives 3
Open Electives 3
Open Electives 3
Open Electives 3
 Hours15
 Total Hours120

Academic Degree Maps are term-by-term sample course plans that specify milestones, courses, and special requirements that are necessary for facilitating on-time completion. Degree Maps are examples and are not prescriptive. Individualized choices such as concentration options, transfer credits, optional minors, advisory programs (certificates), etc. can alter the recommended coursework. Course offerings are subject to change. Students should consult with their academic advisors for additional guidance on course planning.

To determine courses to take in the directed choices (often listed as Program Elective Course) and directed elective course blocks see the overview tab for courses. To locate approved courses in General Education areas (Undergraduate Programs) see the general education section of the catalog.

The undergraduate course maps typically advise the most efficient route for students to complete the general education requirements. Courses that are required in the major may be listed as fulfilling relevant general education requirements. This will result in more open elective course hours in some maps than is listed on the degree overview page.