ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
The Geological Sciences Program offers Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in geology. Coursework involves both traditional classroom-based instruction and field-based learning experiences taught in the nearby Atlantic Coastal Plain, Appalachian Piedmont, Appalachian Mountains, and beyond. Required coursework involves a four-tiered structure of offerings including (1) Introductory courses (GEOL 1 or 5 and 2), (2) Core courses in geology (GEOL 111, 112, 122, 126, 195), (3) Courses in related sciences (see list below), and (4) Upper-level coursework in geology (see list below).
Bachelor of Arts Degree
All students must complete the following coursework:
GEOL 001 Physical Geology or GEOL 005 Environmental Geology
GEOL 002 Historical Geology
GEOL 111 Mineralogy
GEOL 112 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
GEOL 122 Structural Geology
GEOL 126 Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
GEOL 195 Geological Field Methods
CHEM 11-12 General Chemistry
plus three upper-level GEOL courses.
Bachelor of Science Degree
Cathodoluminescence image of zircon grain (about 200 microns in length) showing concentric, oscillatory zoning of igneous origin and dark area of metamorphic overgrowths.
All students must complete the following coursework:
GEOL 001 Physical Geology or GEOL 005 Environmental Geology
GEOL 002 Historical Geology
GEOL 111 Mineralogy
GEOL 112 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
GEOL 122 Structural Geology
GEOL 126 Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
GEOL 195 Geological Field Methods
CHEM 11-12 General Chemistry
PHYS 11-12 General Physics I and II or ASTR 1-2 Astronomy
MATH 20-21 Calculus with Precalculus or MATH 31 (Calculus) or STAT 91 (Statistics) or equivalent
plus four upper-level GEOL courses.
Upper-level coursework
Upper-level courses in geology are offered to provide students with opportunities to undertake advanced study of specialized topics. Students seeking the Bachelor of Arts degree must complete three upper-level courses; students seeking the Bachelor of Science degree must complete four courses. Upper-level courses in geology include the following:
GEOL 106 Oceanography
GEOL 118 Volcanology
GEOL 119 Field Experience in Volcanology
GEOL 131 Global Climate Change
GEOL 138 Hydrogeology
GEOL 140 Geochemistry
GEOL 151 History of Life
GEOL 159 Geobotanical Ecology
GEOL 189 Geophysics
GEOL 190 Special Topics
GEOL 191 Geology of Energy Resources
GEOL 193 Environmental Law
GEOL 199 Undergraduate Research and Reading (may be taken repeatedly but applied only once toward upper-level course requirement (only as 3-credit course)).
Senior Research Projects
Red garnets dark coronas of mostly amphibole + pyroxene in metamorphosed Mesoproteroic rocks of the Gore Mountain area in the Adirdondack massif of northern New York. Prominent garnet is about 6 inches in diameter.
The undergraduate curriculum is expressly designed to provide opportunities for students to undertake a geologic research project in their senior year. Such projects may require either one or two semesters of effort, and typically involve enrollment in GEOL 199 (Undergraduate Research or Reading) for 1-3 credits, commensurate with the scope of the project. The purpose of such research projects is to provide experience in the solution of practical problems in geology and related sciences and to thereby better prepare students for graduate-school studies and/or careers in science where problem solving is paramount. Students are encouraged to discuss ideas for possible projects with faculty (either full-time or part-time) during the Spring semester of their junior year but certainly no later than the fall semester of their final year of study at GWU. Projects should involve a work plan that is approved by both the student and faculty member. All projects should include either a written final report or an oral presentation, or both. Such senior research projects may be counted as equivalent to one upper-level course to be applied to the three (BA) or four (BS) required for graduation purposes. Students should note that successful completion of a senior research project is required for graduation with Special Honors.
Research projects are generally undertaken in consultation with a faculty member with whom the student typically works closely. Geoscientists from outside the University often become involved in the projects and may occasionally serve as the primary advisor in consultation with a GWU Geology faculty member. Recent student research projects include studies of dinosaur anatomy, geochemistry of rift-related mafic dikes, petrology of Neoproterozoic metavolcanic rocks, mapping and geochemical studies of Mesoproterozoic basement rocks, and paleomagnetic/structural studies of Late Neoproterozoic mafic metavolcanics.
Special Honors
Students seeking to graduate with Special Program Honors must have a grade-point average of 3.3 in both their overall coursework and in courses undertaken for the major. Students must also complete an approved Honors research project.
Minor in Geology
Two levels of fossil forests preserved as upright petrified trees in debris flow deposits of the Lamar River Formation in Wyoming.
Courses required for a minor in Geological Sciences include the following:
GEOL 001 (Physical Geology) or GEOL 005 (Environmental Geology)
GEOL 002 (Historical Geology)
GEOL 111 (Mineralogy)
GEOL 112 (Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology)
GEOL 122 (Structural Geology)
GEOL 126 (Sedimentology and Stratigraphy)
GEOL 195 (Geological Field Methods)
Declaring a major or minor in geology
Students are encouraged to declare their majors in the second semester of their sophomore year but may do so at anytime. Students who wish to declare majors or minors should fill out a Declaration of Major form (available from the Columbian College Student Services office located in Phillips 107) and make an appointment to talk with Professor Tollo who currently serves as undergraduate advisor.