Geology (GEOL)College of Computer, Mathematical and Physical Sciences1115 Geology Building, 301-405-4365 www.geol.umd.edu Chair: R. Rudnick Professors: M. Brown, P. Candela, J. Farquhar, A. Kaufman, D. Lathrop (Prof & Dir), W. McDonough, R. Walker, A. Wylie (Distinguished Scholar Teacher) Associate Professors: M. Evans, K. Prestegaard, W. Zhu Assistant Professors: S. Hier-Majumder, S. Kaushal (Asst Prof, Visit Asst Prof), V. Lekic (Asst Prof), A. Martin, L. Montesi, S. Penniston-Dorland Lecturers: T. Centorbi, T. Holtz (Senior Lecturer), J. Merck (Senior Lecturer) Affiliate Professors: A. Busalacchi (Prof & Dir), G. Helz (Res Prof), B. James (Prof & Dir, Affiliate Prof), M. Kearney (Affil Assoc Prof, Prof) Affiliate Associate Professors: R. Murtugudde, N. Zeng Adjunct Professors: J. Bohlke, Y. Fei, S. Shirey, D. Smith (Adjunct Prof), S. Sorensen, E. Zen Adjunct Associate Professors: A. Campbell Adjunct Assistant Professors: E. Cottrell Professors Emeriti: P. Stifel (Assoc Prof Emeritus) Visiting Faculty: H. Becker (Visit Res Prof), J. Day (Visit Asst Prof), T. Johnson (Visit Res Assoc), F. Korhonen (Visit Res Assoc), W. Minarik (Visit Asst Res Sci), R. Moraes (Visit Res Assoc), P. Tomascak (Visit Asst Res Sci), Z. Zajacz (Visit Res Assoc) The Major
Geology is the science of the Earth. In its broadest sense, geology concerns itself with planetary formation and subsequent modification, with emphasis on the study of planet Earth. Geologists study Earth's internal and surficial structure and materials, the chemical and physical processes acting within and on Earth, and utilize the principles of mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology to understand our planet and its environments. Program Objectives Geologists are employed by governmental, industrial, and academic organizations. Geologists work in exploration for new mineral and hydrocarbon resources, as consultants on engineering and environmental projects, as teachers and researchers in universities, and in many other challenging positions. For many, the attraction of a career in geology is the ability to divide time between work in the field, the laboratory, and the office. Although the employment outlook within geology varies with the global economic climate, the long-range outlook is good. This is because our dwindling energy, mineral, and water resources, along with increasing concerns about natural hazards and environmental issues, present new challenges for geologists. Program Learning Outcomes The Geology Program at Maryland includes a broad range of undergraduate courses to accommodate both Geology majors and students within the Environmental Science and Policy Program. Within the Geology major, a requirement exists for a senior undergraduate research project to be performed under the direction of a faculty advisor. This requirement provides invaluable experience in writing proposals and reports, gathering, analyzing and evaluating data, and delivering scientific talks. In addition, a Departmental Honors Program and a combined B.S./M.S. Program are available. Requirements for the Major Requirements for the Geology Major, Professional Track The geology curriculum is designed to meet the requirements of industry, graduate school, and government. For the B.S. degree, the students are required to complete the departmental requirements (49 credits) and the supporting requirements (23/24 credits) in addition to the General Education Program requirements and the completion of at least 120 credits. The department requires that to receive a degree in Geology, students must have a grade of C- or better in the required geology courses, and an average of C- or better in the supporting courses. Courses required for the B.S. in Geology are listed below. Some courses require field trips for which the students are expected to pay for room (if required) and board. Field camp is taken during the summer at institutions other than the University of Maryland, College Park, that offer camps approved by the department. • Geology Courses One of the following: GEOL 100/110—Physical Geology and Laboratory GEOL 120/110—Environmental Geology and Lab GEOL 102—Historical Geology GEOL 322—Mineralogy GEOL 340—Geomorphology GEOL 341—Structural Geology GEOL 342—Stratigraphy and Sedimentation GEOL 393—Technical Writing GEOL 394—Research Problems One of the following: GEOL 444—Low-Temperature Geochemistry GEOL 445—High-Temperature Geochemistry GEOL 446—Introduction to Geophysics GEOL 451—Groundwater GEOL 423—Optical Mineralogy GEOL 443—Petrology GEOL 490—Field Camp
• Supporting Courses One of the following CHEM 131—Fundamentals of General Chemistry and CHEM 132— Fundamentals of General Chemistry Laboratory (4) CHEM 135—Chemistry for Engineers and CHEM 136— Chemistry for Engineers Laboratory (4) MATH 140—Calculus I MATH 141—Calculus II One of the following PHYS 141—Principles of Physics PHYS 161—General Physics: Mechanics and Particle Dynamics and PHYS 174—Physics Laboratory Introduction PHYS 171—Introductory Physics: Mechanics and Relativity and PHYS 174—Physics Laboratory Introduction One of the following PHYS 142— Principles of Physics PHYS 260 General Physics: Vibration, Waves, Heat, Electricity and Magnetism and PHYS 261 General Physics: Vibrations, Waves, Heat, Electricity and Magnetism (Laboratory) PHYS 272 Introductory Physics: Fields BIOM 301—Introduction to Biometrics Any of GEOL444, 445, 446 or 472 not already completed to meet the requirements above or any other 3-4 credit 300 or 400 level Geology course not listed above. Requirements for the Geology Major, Secondary Education Track The Secondary Education Track in Geology leads to a B. S. degree in Geology with special emphasis on course work that helps prepare the student for teaching at the secondary school level. Further coursework and student teaching are required for an education certification. This track also prepares the student for work as a geologist in government or industry, or for further graduate study, although students primarily intending to attend graduate school in geology are advised to choose the Professional Track. Students seeking professional opportunities in secondary education are urged, also, to consult with advisors in the College of Education. Relative to the professional geology track, in the secondary education track, there is a reduction of two upper-level geology requirements, and the addition of two education courses and the option of an atmospheric and oceanic science or astronomy course. Further coursework in education (including student teaching) will be required in order to obtain a Maryland State Teaching Certification. Although geology is by nature interdisciplinary, it is recommended that students consider taking additional courses in biology and the philosophy of science in order to add to their educational breadth. The department requires that to receive a degree in Geology, students must have a grade of C- or better in the required geology courses, and a C- average or better in the supporting courses. • Geology Courses One of the following GEOL 100/110—Physical Geology and Laboratory (4) GEOL 120/110—Environmental Geology and Lab (4) GEOL 102—Historical Geology (4) GEOL 322—Mineralogy (4) GEOL 340—Geomorphology (4) GEOL 341—Structural Geology (4) GEOL 393—Technical Writing (3) GEOL 394—Research Problems (Capstone) (3) GEOL 443—Petrology (4) GEOL 490—Geological Field Camp (6) Three of the following: GEOL 212—Planetary Geology (3) GEOL 342—Stratigraphy and Sedimentation (4) GEOL/AOSC 375---Introduction to the Blue Oceans (3) GEOL 444—Low-Temperature Geochemistry (4) GEOL 445—High-Temperature Geochemistry (4) GEOL 451—Groundwater (3)
• Supporting Courses One of the following ASTR 100—Introduction to Astronomy (3) ASTR 101—General Astronomy (4) AOSC 200---Weather and Climate (3) One of the following CHEM 131—Fundamentals of General Chemistry and CHEM 132— Fundamentals of General Chemistry Laboratory (4) CHEM 135—Chemistry for Engineers and CHEM 136— Chemistry for Engineers Laboratory (4) MATH 140—Calculus I (4) MATH 141—Calculus II (4) One of the following PHYS 141—Principles of Physics (4) PHYS 161—General Physics: Mechanics and Particle Dynamics (3) and PHYS 174—Physics Laboratory Introduction (1) PHYS 171—Introductory Physics: Mechanics and Relativity and PHYS 174—Physics Laboratory Introduction
• Education Courses. Six credits selected from among the following: EDPL 210—Historical and Philosophical Perspective on Education (3) EDPL 301—Historical and Philosophical Perspective on Education (3) EDHD 413—Adolescent Development (3) EDHD 426—Cognitive and Motivational Basis of Reading I (3) EDCI 463—Teaching Reading in Content Area II (3)
• Recommended: BSCI 105 and BSCI 106 - Principles of Biology I and II (4) PHIL 250/HIST 174 - Philosophy/History of Science (3) PHYS 142 - General Physics, second semester (4) The remaining 6 credits of the Education courses listed above
Other Requirements for the Major Combined B.S./M.S. in Geology The Combined B.S./M.S. program is designed to permit a superior student to earn both the Bachelor's and the Master's degrees in as few as five years of study. Although designed to provide an integrated experience of undergraduate and graduate work, the combined B.S./M.S. program is not a course of study separate and distinct from the traditional B.S. and M.S. Students in the combined B.S./M.S. program will, at any given time, be either undergraduate or graduate students. The program provides the opportunity for a superior student to telescope these degrees by taking up to nine graduate credits (600-level or higher) while still an undergraduate and counting them toward both degrees. A grade of "B" or better must be earned in each of these courses. Under optimal circumstances, one might complete both degrees in five years. Actual completion time will vary depending on one's individual circumstances. The master's thesis may be a continuation of work begun as part of the undergraduate senior thesis. Acceptance into the combined B.S./M.S. normally would occur after the end of the sophomore year. The minimum requirements for acceptance into this program are similar to those for the geology honors program, namely an overall GPA of at least 3.0 at the end of the sophomore year and a GPA of 3.0 or better in all courses required for the major. Interested eligible students must provide the following material to be considered: 1. At least three letters of recommendation. At least one of these must be from a prospective graduate advisor, who must outline the applicant's sources of potential funding. 2. An essay or statement of purpose. 3. An interview with the undergraduate Honors Director and the Graduate Director. Based on this, students may be provisionally accepted into the program. Students so accepted will be permitted to enroll in appropriate graduate-level courses. The combined B.S./M.S. program allows 9 credits of graduate courses (600-level or above) to be counted towards both the B.S. and M.S. degrees. A grade of "B" or better must be earned in each of these courses. Acceptance is provisional pending satisfaction of the following: 1. Completion of the undergraduate curriculum. 2. A GPA of 3.5 or better in GEOL 393 and GEOL 394. 3. Maintenance of a 3.0 overall GPA and a GPA of 3.0 or better in all courses required for the major. 4. Successful completion of the General GRE exam, usually taken during the fall term of the senior year. 5. Formal application and admission to the Graduate School. Your application for graduate admission is completely separate from your application to the combined B.S./M.S. Your participation in the combined BS/MS as an undergraduate does not give you priority over other graduate applicants. Upon enrollment as a graduate student, the participant may designate the graduate courses that should be counted toward both degrees. Requirements for the Minor Geology An undergraduate minor recognizes concentrated study in a designated field in the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences. The award of a minor will be noted on the student's transcript at the time of graduation. These minors may be earned by students not majoring in geology and are administered by the geology undergraduate studies director. A grade of "C-" or better must be earned in all courses required for the minor. See www.geol.umd.edu for more information.
All Geology minors are an appropriate disciplinary combination with Astronomy, Computer Science, Mathematics, or Physics majors within CMPS. The minors are also appropriate for majors outside the college with appropriate matches including, but not limited to:
Geography/Remote Sensing (Surficial Geology) Planetary Science The Departments of Astronomy and Geology jointly sponsor a minor program in Planetary Science. Details about this minor and its course requirements are provided in Chapter 8. Advising The Geology Undergraduate Studies Director serves as the advisor for the geology majors, 1119 Geology Building, 301-405-4379. Students who have been away more than two years may find that due to curriculum changes the courses they have taken may no longer be adequate preparation for the courses required to complete the major. Students in this situation must meet with the Undergraduate Studies Director to make appropriate plans. Honors Program
Admission to the Program is by invitation of the Honors Committee, normally at the end of the sophomore year and normally will be extended to students with an overall GPA of 3.0 or better and a GPA of 3.0 or better in all courses required for the major. Graduation with Honors normally requires completion of the curriculum, a GPA of 3.5 or better in GEOL 393H and GEOL 394H, and maintenance of a 3.0 overall GPA and a GPA of 3.0 or better in all courses required for the major. Maintenance of a GPA of 3.5 or above and a grade of A in both GEOL 393H and GEOL 394H will earn the distinction of Graduation with High Honors. a. GEOL 489H Recent Advances in Geology (3 credit hours), and ii) Honors Option project in a three or four credit hour upper-level course from the offerings in the Geology Department iii) no more than one Honors College seminar (3 credit hours) addressing a relevant topic in natural sciences. (Typically, this would include seminars offered by faculty in the College of Computer Mathematical and Natural Sciences.) The Honors College seminar must be approved in advance by the departmental honors committee. The Honors Option Proposal must be approved by the departmental honors committee, the professor teaching the course and the Honors College. A proposal must be approved by the Department and submitted to the Honors College by the 10th day of class in the semester in which the course will be taken and the project completed. 2. The research and thesis requirement will be met by completion of GEOL 393H and GEOL 394H with a GPA of 3.5 or better (6 credit hours). Student Societies and Professional Organizations Sigma Gamma Epsilon, National Honor Society for Earth Sciences, and the Geology Club. Awards and Recognition
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