Overview
This major program prepares students for the study of the Earth and its ocean, and the ongoing processes of geophysical and geochemical change. Research at UM focuses on carbonate sedimentology and coral reefs, geochemistry, paleoclimatology, tectonic processes (volcanoes and earthquakes), and the impact of rising sea level on coastal systems. This major is designed for careers in education, business, law, or science journalism.
Curriculum Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Geological Sciences Core Requirements | ||
| GSC 110 | The Earth System (recommended) | 3-4 |
| or GSC 103 | Evolution of the Modern Earth's Environment | |
| GSC 111 | Earth System History (recommended) | 3-4 |
| or GSC 102 | Evolution of the Biosphere | |
| GSC 260 | Earth Materials | 4 |
| GSC 360 | Depositional and Diagenetic Systems | 4 |
| GSC 482 | Field Methods | 2 |
| GSC 561 | Communicating Geoscience | 2 |
| Select 9 credit hours of approved electives in Geological Sciences at the 300 level* or higher. Students are encouraged to take GSC 231* and GSC 580. | 9 | |
| Mathematics Requirement | ||
| Select one of the following: (MTH108 or higher fulfills the Rosenstiel BA quantitative skills requirement) | 3-4 | |
| Precalculus Mathematics II | ||
| Finite Mathematics | ||
| Introductory Calculus | ||
| Calculus Concepts with Foundations A | ||
| Calculus I | ||
or MTH 171 | Calculus I | |
| Statistics or Computational Science Requirement 1 | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Environmental Statistics (recommended) | ||
| Analyze and Visualize Geoscience Data (recommended) | ||
| Foundations of Computational Marine Science (recommended) | ||
| Introduction to Probability and Statistics | ||
| Computer Programming I | ||
| Minor Requirement | 15 | |
| General Education Requirements | ||
| Written Communication Skills: | ||
| WRS 105 | First-Year Writing I | 3 |
| WRS 107 | First-Year Writing II: STEM | 3 |
| or WRS 106 | First-Year Writing II | |
| or ENG 106 | Writing About Literature and Culture | |
| Quantitative Skills: | ||
MTH 108 or higher (fulfilled through the major) | ||
| Areas of Knowledge: | ||
| Arts and Humanities Cognate | 9 | |
| People and Society Cognate | 9 | |
| STEM Cognate (9 credits) (fulfilled through the major) | ||
| Additional Electives | 48 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120-124 | |
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Equivalent Statistics or Computational Science course may be substituted with permission from the Geological Sciences Undergraduate Program Director.
Suggested Plan of Study
This is only a sample. There are numerous ways students can create plans of study for the B.A. in Geological Sciences major. Students should feel empowered to use the information listed in the Academic Bulletin to take charge of their education, pursue their own academic interests, and create their own, unique plans of study.
| Freshman Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| GSC 110 | The Earth System | 4 |
| WRS 105 | First-Year Writing I | 3 |
| MTH 108 | Precalculus Mathematics II | 3 |
| A&H Course #1 | 3 | |
| Elective #1 | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| GSC 111 | Earth System History | 4 |
| WRS 107 | First-Year Writing II: STEM | 3 |
| MSC 204 | Environmental Statistics | 3 |
| A&H Course #2 | 3 | |
| Minor Course #1 | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Sophomore Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| GSC 260 | Earth Materials | 4 |
| GSC 360 | Depositional and Diagenetic Systems | 4 |
| Minor Course #2 | 3 | |
| Elective #2 | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| GSC 482 | Field Methods | 2 |
| P&S Course #1 | 3 | |
| Elective #3 | 3 | |
| Elective #4 | 3 | |
| Elective #5 | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Summer | ||
| GSC 580 | Summer Field Geology 1 | 4 |
| Credit Hours | 4 | |
| Junior Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| A&H Course #3 | 3 | |
| Minor Course #3 | 3 | |
| Elective #6 | 3 | |
| Elective #7 | 3 | |
| Elective #8 | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| P&S Course #2 | 3 | |
| Minor Course #4 | 3 | |
| Elective #9 | 3 | |
| Elective #10 | 3 | |
| Elective #11 | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Senior Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| GSC Course | 3 | |
| GSC Course | 2 | |
| P&S Course #3 | 3 | |
| Minor Course #5 | 3 | |
| Elective #12 | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| GSC 561 | Communicating Geoscience | 2 |
| Elective #13 | 3 | |
| Elective #14 | 3 | |
| Elective #15 | 3 | |
| Elective #16 | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 122 | |
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Recommended elective to take for the Geological Science B.A. major.
Additional Major Curriculum Requirements
If a student would like to add Geological Sciences as an additional major, they need to meet with the Geological Sciences Program Director before submitting their Academic Change Form to their Cane Navigator for processing.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Requisite Mathematics Requirement | ||
| Select one of the following: (MTH108 or higher fulfills the Rosenstiel BA quantitative skills requirement) | ||
| Precalculus Mathematics II | ||
| Finite Mathematics | ||
| Introductory Calculus | ||
| Calculus Concepts with Foundations A | ||
| Calculus I | ||
or MTH 171 | Calculus I | |
| Pre-Requisite Statistics or Computational Science Requirement 1 | ||
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Environmental Statistics (Recommended) | ||
| Analyze and Visualize Geoscience Data (Recommended) | ||
| Foundations of Computational Marine Science (Recommended) | ||
| Introduction to Probability and Statistics | ||
| Computer Programming I | ||
An equivalent Statistics or Computational Science course may be substituted with permission from the Geological Sciences Undergraduate Program Director for students required to complete either Statistics or a Computational course for their primary major. Approved courses include but are not limited to ECS 204, EPS 351, GEG 310, ISE 311, MAS 201, MAS 311, MSC 321, NUR 202, PSY 291, PSY 292, SOC 211. | ||
| Geological Sciences Core Requirements | ||
| GSC 110 | The Earth System (Recommended) | 3-4 |
| or GSC 103 | Evolution of the Modern Earth's Environment | |
| GSC 111 | Earth System History (Recommended) | 3-4 |
| or GSC 102 | Evolution of the Biosphere | |
| GSC 260 | Earth Materials | 4 |
| GSC 360 | Depositional and Diagenetic Systems | 4 |
| GSC 482 | Field Methods | 2 |
| GSC 561 | Communicating Geoscience | 2 |
| Select 9 credit hours of approved electives in Geological Sciences at the 300-level* or higher. Students are encouraged to take GSC 231* and GSC 580. | 9 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 27-29 | |
- 1
An equivalent Statistics or Computational Science course may be substituted with permission from the Geological Sciences Undergraduate Program Director for students required to complete either Statistics or a Computational course for their primary major. Approved courses include but are not limited to ECS 204, EPS 351, GEG 310, ISE 311, MAS 201, MAS 311, MSC 321, NUR 202, PSY 291, PSY 292, SOC 211.
- Note:
Your primary major must have a minimum of 24 credits of core major requirements. They must be different than those used for this additional major.
Mission
The mission of the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science is to deepen our collective knowledge of our planet through cutting-edge scientific research on the oceans, atmosphere, geology, biota, and the human dimension, while training the next generation of scientists. We transfer the knowledge gained to our students, the national and international scientific community, and to policymakers and the public.
The educational mission of the BA degree in Geological Sciences at the University of Miami is to graduate students with the ability and desire to integrate knowledge of geological science into their future careers.
Goals
In a time of increasing stress on Earth’s resources, land, oceans and environment, we strive to train our students in both the fundamentals of the Geological Sciences and natural systems and also the global environmental stresses facing Earth and society. In addition to the basic classroom and hands-on education in the various aspects of the Geological Sciences, we focus on preparing our undergraduate students in three critical areas: extensive field training and research to give students competence in dealing with the complexities of the real world; training in written and oral communication to give them competence in sharing their accumulating knowledge with their peers and also with the public; and an understanding of how increased human population and resource use is affecting Earth’s climate, environment and future character.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate a knowledge base in Earth Materials. This includes the composition and physical properties of minerals and rocks, as well as the ocean, atmosphere and other natural resources.
- Students will demonstrate a knowledge base in Earth history and geologic time; including paleogeography, paleoceanography, paleoclimatology, and the history of life over Earth's 4.6 billion year history.
- Students will demonstrate a knowledge base in Earth processes. This ranges from plate tectonics and deep Earth dynamics to the physical and chemical transformations taking place on the Earth's surface (weathering, mineralization, transport, deposition). This includes the major biogeochemical cycles within the Earth system.
