Geological Sciences BA/MA - Program Requirements

Minimum GPA of 2.000 in all undergraduate courses and a minimum 3.000 in all graduate courses required for the major.  Completion of the prerequisite courses.  Two letters of recommendation from faculty members.

The Department of Geology has articulation agreements with several colleges in the region. Students should consult with the advisement office at their present college for more details. To request a transfer of credit for a geology course not listed at either advisement office, submit a request to the director of undergraduate studies along with a course description from the college catalog and a course syllabus.

SUNY Seamless Transfer is a SUNY-wide program intended to make transferring to UB and other SUNY Schools simple and efficient for SUNY students. SUNY has defined courses that SUNY students can take before transferring which will apply to the major at UB and ensure timely graduation.

Information about the Transfer Path for this major can be found on the SUNY website.

Students are encouraged to contact their academic advisor or department to discuss how their coursework will apply to their degree.

Any two of the following:

• GLY 305 Mineralogy
  
• GLY 312 Surface Processes and Hydrology
• GLY 315 Sedimentary Geology & Paleontology
• GLY 325 Geophysics

Any 3 of the following:

• GLY 305 Mineralogy
• GLY 312 Surface Processes and Hydrology
• GLY 325 Geophysics
• GLY 326 Structural Geology/ Global Tectonics

GLY 101 Natural Hazards OR GLY 102 Climate Change
GLY 105 Lab Natural Hazards and Climate Change: Past, Present & Future
GLY 205 Earth Materials
GLY 206 Geological Mapping Techniques
GLY 308 Introduction to Geochemistry
GLY 312 Surface Processes and Hydrology
GLY 315 Sedimentary Geology & Paleontology
CHE 101 General Chemistry
MTH 121 Survey of Calculus and Its Applications I
PHY 101 College Physics I
PHY 151 College Physics I Lab
GLY 325 Geophysics
GLY 326 Structural Geology and Global Tectonics
Six (6) credits of GLY upper-level electives

Summary
Total required credit hours for the undergraduate portion: 50

See Baccalaureate Degree Requirements for UB Curriculum and remaining university requirements.

Formal Graduate Coursework (minimum 24 credits ):
Courses are to be selected in support of student career objectives with the advice and advanced approval of the MA advisor. Excluded courses are: GLY 526, GLY 599, GLY 633 and GLY 700 as they are not considered formal courses.

One course (minimum 3 credits) is required in each of the following areas at the graduate level:

• Environmental Geology
• Volcanology
• General Geology

Capstone Work (minimum 1 credit):
Registration in GLY 526 or GLY 633 is required for completion of a paper, project, or portfolio.

Additional Graduate Credits:
Additional graduate credits (formal, seminar, or research) to reach a minimum of 30 total graduate credits.

Requirements for an honors in Geology distinction include maintenance of a 3.250 GPA, two consecutive semesters of independent study, and final approval of a senior research experience that will conclude with a capstone product, as well as the usual departmental BS degree requirements.

Students should consult with an academic advisor to determine how any transfer or exam credit might be utilized in meeting general education, prerequisite, or major requirements.

See Baccalaureate Degree Requirements for general education and remaining university requirements.

Refer to the Graduate School's Policies and Procedures Manual for requirements for master's degree candidates.

Total Credit Hours Required represents the minimum credits needed to complete this program, and may vary based on a number of circumstances. This chart should not be used for financial aid purposes.