Geosciences | Bachelor of Science in Geosciences (Geology)
Program Summary
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education | 34 | |
| Major Core Courses | 12-13 | |
| Geology Core | 27 | |
| Cognates | 17 | |
| Open Electives 1 | 29-30 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- 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 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.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education | 34-35 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Major Core Courses | ||
| GSCI 100 | Exploring Earth GE | 3 |
| GSCI 240 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) | 3 |
| GSCI 685 | Writing in the Sciences | 3 |
| Select one course from the following: | 3-4 | |
| Biostatistics and Biostatistics Lab | ||
| Geostatistics and Spatial Data Analysis | ||
| Elements of Statistics | ||
| Geology Core | 27 | |
| 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 120/120L | University Chemistry I GE | 3 |
| CHEM 122/122L | University Chemistry II GE | 3 |
| MATH 331 | Calculus Methods GE | 3 |
| PHYS 111/111L | Physics I GE | 4 |
| PHYS 211/211L | Engineering Physics I GE | 4 |
| Total Hours | 56-57 | |
- 1
Maximum of six credit hours may be counted from GSCI 454
Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ||
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| 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 or MATH 130 |
College Algebra (SGE030 - Math Statistics Discipline Area) or Pre-Calculus Mathematics |
3 |
| Hours | 14 | |
| 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 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| 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 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| 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 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| 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 or MATH 234 |
Calculus Methods or Analytic Geometry and Calculus I |
3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| GSCI 630 or MATH 250 |
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 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| 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 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Open Electives | 3 | |
| Open Electives | 3 | |
| Open Electives | 3 | |
| Open Electives | 3 | |
| Open Electives | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
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.