Department of Geosciences

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For more information about degree offerings by the faculty of geosciences, visit the Department of Geosciences webpage.

The Department of Geosciences offers Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree programs in geosciences.

B.S. Degree Programs

The B.S. degree programs require three semesters of mathematics in calculus and/or statistics, one year of chemistry, and one year of calculus-based physics. In addition, support courses in the sciences are required. Courses may not be offered every year. A six-credit-hour course in field geology is required and must be taken at another university. Students graduating with a B.S. degree in geosciences usually enter a professional career in the geosciences or further their education at the graduate level before working professionally in the geosciences.

B.S. degree options include:

• Geosciences, Environmental Science Option, B.S.G.S.  
• Geosciences, Geology Option, B.S.G.S.  
• Geosciences, Petroleum Engineering Option, B.S.G.S.  
• Geophysics, B.S.G.P.  

The goals of the Bachelor of Science programs in geosciences and geophysics are to provide students with critical content knowledge, and to develop their analytical skills.

Students majoring in geosciences (geology option) and geophysics with an interest in a foreign language may choose to earn dual degrees through the International Engineering/Science and Language Program .

B.A. Degree Programs

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree programs are broadly based, classical liberal arts degrees that offer considerable flexibility to students interested in the earth sciences, but who do not necessarily want to work in the petroleum industry or related industries. The degree programs offer an excellent background in the sciences and in technology while still preserving the flexibility and strength of a liberal arts education. The B.A. programs offer the technical background needed to compete effectively in a changing job market in a range of career paths. If free electives are selected carefully, this major can provide the background necessary for entry into graduate-level studies in law, geology, environmental science, environmental policy, meteorology, or business. Students are encouraged to select a minor in allied fields of study to enhance their educational experience.

B.A. degree options include:

• Earth and Environmental Sciences, B.A.  
• Geology, B.A.  

The goals of the Bachelor of Arts programs in geosciences are to provide students with content knowledge and an understanding of interdisciplinary research and communication.

Program Objectives

Upon completion, students in the Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree programs in geosciences will:

• Describe and understand Earth systems, spatially and/or temporally
• Draw and diagram Earth-system data using academic- and/or industry-relevant techniques
• Apply Earth-systems knowledge to evaluate contemporary environmental and societal issues
• Design and defend a geological objective or project using combined knowledge of Earth-systems and supporting disciplines
• Criticize and compare and contrast conceptual hypotheses

Students are encouraged to take minors in associated technical fields. Mathematics , chemistry , physics , petroleum engineering  and computer science  are among the many minors available. Students may also minor in areas of special interest.

Teacher Certification

Students seeking secondary teacher certification in earth sciences should consult their academic advisors to determine subject area courses that are appropriate and the Oklahoma State Department of Education regarding alternative certification.

Research

Both the B.S. and the B.A. have options for undergraduate research for students wishing to participate in mentored research opportunities, and for geoscience internships for students wishing to gain practical experience in the industrial applications of the geosciences.

Programs

• Earth and Environmental Sciences, B.A.
• Geology, B.A.
• Geophysics, B.S.G.P.
• Geosciences, Environmental Science Option, B.S.G.S.
• Geosciences, Geology Option, B.S.G.S.
• Geosciences, Petroleum Engineering Option, B.S.G.S.

• Geology Minor

• Geophysics, Accelerated Master’s
• Geosciences, Accelerated Master’s

Courses

• GEOG 3053 Geomorphology
• GEOG 4861-6 Special Topics in Geography
• GEOG 4991-4 Independent Study

• GEOL 1003 Introduction to Oceanography
• GEOL 1014 Physical Geology
• GEOL 1043 Geology of the National Parks
• GEOL 1991 Introduction to the Geosciences
• GEOL 2003 History of the Biosphere
• GEOL 2043 Energy, Environment and Climate Change
• GEOL 2053 Earth Resources
• GEOL 2063 Geological Hazards and Catastrophes
• GEOL 2143 Mineralogy
• GEOL 2571-3 Introduction to Geosciences Internship
• GEOL 2871-3 Introduction to Research
• GEOL 3013 Petroleum and Sedimentary Geology for Energy Management
• GEOL 3061 Structural Geology Laboratory
• GEOL 3063 Introduction to Structural Geology
• GEOL 3151 Sedimentary Rocks and Processes Laboratory
• GEOL 3153 Sedimentary Rocks and Processes
• GEOL 4016 Field Geology
• GEOL 4063 Petroleum Geology
• GEOL 4083 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
• GEOL 4144 Igneous and Metamorphic Rocks and Processes
• GEOL 4513 Hydrogeology
• GEOL 4523 Environmental Geochemistry
• GEOL 4571-3 Geosciences Internship
• GEOL 4723 Paleoenvironment Interpretation
• GEOL 4861-6 Special Topics in Geology
• GEOL 4871-3 Undergraduate Research
• GEOL 4991-4 Independent Study
• GEOL 5113 Plate Tectonics
• GEOL 5263 Carbonate Sedimentology
• GEOL 5333 Advanced Stratigraphic Analysis
• GEOL 5413 Geochemistry
• GEOL 5433 Organic Geochemistry
• GEOL 5513 Microanalysis
• GEOL 5713 Regional Tectonics
• GEOL 5723 Geomechanics
• GEOL 5863 Special Topics in Geology

• GPHY 2503 Physics of the Earth
• GPHY 2583 Introduction to Petroleum Geophysics
• GPHY 4003 Petroleum Seismology
• GPHY 4023 Field Methods in Geophysics
• GPHY 4033 Seismic Data Processing and Interpretation
• GPHY 4053 Applied Geophysics
• GPHY 4063 Well Logging for Geologists and Geophysicists
• GPHY 4861-6 Special Topics in Geophysics
• GPHY 4991-4 Independent Study
• GPHY 5023 Seismic Inversion
• GPHY 5133 Exploration Seismology
• GPHY 5153 Integrated Seismic Data Interpretation
• GPHY 5173 Time Series Analysis and Inverse Theory
• GPHY 5183 Special Processing of Seismic Data
• GPHY 5303 Special Topics in Geophysics

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