Department of Geosciences

Chair
Dennis R. Kerr

Professors
Janet A. Haggerty
Peter J. Michael

Associate Professors
Jingyi Chen
Dennis R. Kerr
Junran Li
Steven Roche

Applied Associate Professor
Winton Cornell

Assistant Professor
Christine Ruhl

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:

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 .

The University of Tulsa is not accepting applications or matriculating new undergraduate students into the bachelor’s program in geophysics beyond the Fall 2019 term. Students who have matriculated into the bachelor’s program may not declare geophysics as a major after the Spring 2020 term.

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:

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.

The University of Tulsa is not accepting applications or matriculating new undergraduate students into the bachelor’s programs in geology and earth and environmental sciences beyond the Fall 2019 term. Students who have matriculated into the bachelor’s program may not declare geology or earth and environmental sciences as a major after the Spring 2020 term.

The University of Tulsa is not accepting students into the minor in geology program beyond the Spring 2020 term.

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

Major

Minor

Geology Minor

Courses

Geography

Geology

Geophysics

Common Questions

Colleges