Aerial View of Forest and Lava from Erupted Volcano

Environmental Concentration

The Environmental Geology concentration prepares students to work in conservation, management and remediation of natural resources. Students have the option of pursuing coursework in Sustainability, Geographic Information Systems and Environmental Policy. 

Visit Website PDF Map

Stats

Plan Your Degree

Disclaimer: This program map is intended ONLY as a guide for students to plan their course of study. It does NOT replace any information in the Undergraduate Catalog, which is the official guide for completing degree requirements.

Term 1: Fall

Course Name Credit Hours
C1: ENGL 1101

English Composition I

3
MATH 1111

College Algebra

3
F: GEOL 1121 + Lab

Introduction to Geosciences I

4
T1: BIOL 1107 + Lab

Principles of Biology I

4
I2: Other Institutional Options 2

Milestones:

  • Complete ENGL 1101 with a C or better.
  • Complete MATH 1111 with a B or better.
  • Target: 15 credit hours completed (This example = 16).

Term 2: Spring

Course Name Credit Hours
C2: ENGL 1102

English Composition II

3
M: MATH 1113

Precalculus

4
F: GEOL 1122 + Lab

Introduction to Geosciences II

4
T2: BIOL 1108 + Lab*

Principles of Biology II

4

Milestones:

  • Complete ENGL 1102 & MATH 1113 with a C or better.
  • Complete GEOL 1121/1122 sequence.
  • Target: 30 credit hours completed (31).

 

16 Fall Credit Hours + 15 Spring Credit Hours = 31 Credit Hours

(*) = This is a required course.

Term 1: Fall

Course Name Credit Hours
F: CHEM 12 11 + Lab*

Principles of Chemistry I

4
GEOL 3004

Field Geology and Geologic Mapping

4
MATH 1634*

Calculus 1

4
GEOL 3603

Environmental Geology

3

Milestones:

  • Complete CHEM 1211/1211 with a C or better.
  • Complete Field Geology (GEOL 3004) with a C or better.
  • Plan for courses offered only alternate years.
  • Target: 45 credit hours completed (46).

Term 2: Spring

Course Name Credit Hours
F: CHEM 1212 + Lab*

Principles of Chemistry II

4
GEOL 4093

Risk Assessment

3
T3: MATH 1401*

Elementary Statistics

3
I1: Written and Oral Communication 3
P: Citizenship 3

Milestones:

  • Complete CHEM 1212/1212L.
  • Plan for courses offered only alternate years.
  • Target: 60 credit hours completed (62).

 

15 Fall Credit Hours + 16 Spring Credit Hours = 31 Credit Hours

Additional Information:

  • Speak with Advisor and Faculty Mentor about GEOL 4082 before Year 3.

(*) = This is a required course.

Term 1: Fall

Course Name Credit Hours
GEOL 3014

Mineralogy and Crystallography

4
GEOL 4082

Geological Problems

1
CHEM 2411 OR 3310*

Organic Chemistry I or Analytical Chemistry

3/4
C: Humanities  3
S: Social Science 3

Milestones:

  • Complete Mineralogy (GEOL 3014).
  • Research (GEOL 4082) okay any semester.
  • Plan for courses offered only alternate years.
  • Target: 75 credit hours completed (77).

Term 2: Spring

Course Name Credit Hours
GEOL 4084

Hydrogeology

3
GEOL 4083 OR 4014

Geochemistry

4/3
C: Humanities 3
S: Social Science 3

Milestones:

  • Plan for courses offered only alternate years.
  • Target: 90 credit hours completed (90/91).

 

14-to-15 Fall Credit Hours + 13-to-14 Spring Credit Hours = 27-to-29 Credit Hours

(*) = This is a required course.

Term 1: Fall

Course Name Credit Hours
GEOG 2202

Environmental Science

3
P: Citizenship 3
F: Major Course 3
Elective 3
Elective 3

Milestone:

  • Target: 105 credit hours completed (106/105).

Term 2: Spring

Course Name Credit Hours
GEOL 4501

Geology Seminar

1
Elective 4
Elective 4
Elective 4
Elective 3

Milestones:

  • Complete GEOL 4064.
  • Complete Seminar (GEOL 4501).
  • Target: 120 credit hours completed (122/121).

 

15 Fall Credit Hours + 16 Spring Credit Hours = 31 Credit Hours

Additional Information:

GEOLOGY COURSES OFFERED ONLY ALTERNATE YEARS:

  • Fall, odd-numbered years: GEOL 3603, Environmental Geology, GEOL 4003 Geomorphology, GEOL 4044, Engineering Geology.
  • Spring, even-numbered years: GEOL 4083, Environmental Geochemistry.
  • Spring, odd-numbered years: GEOL 4014, Geochemistry.

ELECTIVES OFFERED DURING SUMMER SESSIONS:

  • GEOL 2503, Introduction to Oceanography.
  • GEOL 2553, Geology of National Parks.

Crush Your Course

First Year:

  • Take the Intro Geology sequence GEOL 1121+L, and GEOL 1122+L your first and second semesters.
  • Enroll in CHEM 1211.
  • Get confident with Wolf Watch and your Program Map.

Middle Years:

  • Choose a track: Professional or Environmental.
  • Explore courses in the core and follow the Geology Program Map for the geology track you choose.
  • Love something outside of geology? Earn a minor or a certificate!

Last Year:

  • Take upper-level electives to prepare you for your career/graduate programs.
  • Study for the licensure exam (Professional Track students).

Find Your Place

First Year:

  • Attend a Geoscience Club meeting or event such as River Cleanup, or a professional talk.
  • Find other student organizations that match your interests.

Middle Years:

  • Ask your professors about their research and seek out your own opportunities to do research.
  • Start researching career paths.
  • Become a TA for Physical Geology or Historical Geology.

Last Year:

  • Be a leader in the Program by being a Club officer.
  • Serve as a TA again or seek other employment/volunteering opportunities on campus.

Broaden Your Perspectives

First Year:

  • Explore a new-to-you culture or language through your core courses.
  • Make an effort to be inclusive of others as you meet new faces on campus.

Middle Years:

  • Travel! Explore Travel Abroad opportunities or enroll in Regional Applications of Field Geology (offered summers) to see more of the US.

Last Year:

  • Read books or listen to podcasts to expand your thinking about how geosciences affect people and society.

Connect Off-Campus

First Year:

  • Meet our Alumni at the Geosciences Career Night (Spring).
  • Go to events in the Carrollton Community.

Middle Years:

  • Participate in an internship.
  • Volunteer with a STEM school visit.

Last Year:

  • Become a member of a geology professional organization and get involved as soon as you can!

Take Care of Yourself

First Year:

Middle Years:

  • Take a break from studying once in a while to enjoy events on campus.

Last Year:

  • Get organized with important dates! Graduation application, job application, grad school stuff, class projects, interviews...put all those dates in your phone so that you can stay on top of your busy schedule this final year.

Pave Your Path

First Year:

  • Be proactive. Go to your professors’ office hours, even before you need help in the class. These conversations can lead to connections.

Middle Year:

  • Apply for scholarships and REU opportunities.
  • Attend a professional conference to network and connect with the scientific community.
  • Research graduate school programs if you’re considering that pathway.

Last Year:

  • Request letters of recommendation from professors (at least 2 weeks before you need them).
  • Apply to graduate programs in the fall or early winter or apply to jobs in the spring.

HeadingSub-Heading

Have any questions about your major?

Book an Advising Appointment

Don't forget to check out Wolf Watch to explore degree requirements!