Geology Option

The Geology Option is a degree program designed for students who are motivated to apply the principles of chemistry, physics and mathematics to the study of the Earth's surface and interior. There are outstanding opportunities for employment in the public and private sectors in fields such as petroleum geology, mining geology, seismology (including earthquake and volcanic risk assessment), hydrology (surface and ground water) natural-hazard geology, environmental clean-up and containment of environmental hazards, mitigation of future environmental problems related to development, preservation of water resources (both surface and ground water), and the study of the processes of climate change and global warming. The optimal degree for employment and advancement in the geological sciences in the private sector is the Master's Degree, and the undergraduate Geology Option is an excellent preparatory degree for graduate study. Some students interested in college teaching or advanced research may require a Ph.D. degree.In the Geology Option, students are given the opportunity to learn in the world-class natural laboratory that surrounds Bozeman. Course work progresses from core courses that all students must take (Earth System Science, Topics in Earth Science, Earth History and Evolution, Mineralogy, Sedimentation and Stratigraphy, Structural Geology, Global Tectonics, Sedimentary Petrology, two geographic information science (GIS) courses, Field Methods, and Field Geology (a summer capstone course).  Also included are a variety of elective courses in geology, paleontology, hydrology, Weather and Climate, Geomorphology, and remote sensing. These courses prepare the student for a variety of jobs and/or graduate school.

A grade of C- is required in all courses in this curriculum to graduate by Regents' policy. This includes electives in this curriculum.

A minimum of 120 credits is required for graduation; 42 of these credits must be in courses numbered 300 and above.