Geology (BS)
The degree of Bachelor of Science in Geology is offered in the Department of Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. Geological science 鈥� or Earth science 鈥� is a broad and interdisciplinary field that encompasses other disciplines such as biology, chemistry, math, and physics. Knowledge of Earth processes provides a critical framework for the assessment of resources, geologic hazards, and environmental stewardship. Many geologists work in the petroleum or natural gas exploration industry or in the mineral industry. Many other geoscientists find work related to natural hazards (e.g., earthquakes, volcanoes, and landslides), as geologists on some of the world鈥檚 largest engineering projects (dams, tunnels, bridges, tall buildings), in the geothermal and alternative energy sectors, in the remediation of hazardous waste and groundwater pollution control, and in the field of environmental rehabilitation (e.g., stream restoration). Geoscientists work across industries 鈥� from Fortune 100 companies to small environmental consulting and law firms, state agencies and nonprofit organizations. Many others are employed in the education sector including at universities, community colleges and high schools.
For more information about our geology program, visit our听.
Contact
Maggie Puryear
Associate Director of Undergraduate Programs
919.513.1093
mwpollar@ncsu.edu
Plan Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Orientation/Computer Literacy | ||
| 颁翱厂听100 | Science of Change 1 | 2 |
| Computer Science Option 2, 6 | 3 | |
| Writing and Speaking | ||
| 颁翱惭听110 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| 贰狈骋听101 | Academic Writing and Research 2 | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Communication for Engineering and Technology | ||
| Communication for Business and Management | ||
| Communication for Science and Research | ||
| Mathematics and Natural Sciences | ||
| 惭础听131 | Calculus for Life and Management Sciences A 2 | 3-4 |
| 辞谤听惭础听141 | Calculus I | |
| 惭础听231 | Calculus for Life and Management Sciences B 2 | 3-4 |
| 辞谤听惭础听241 | Calculus II | |
| 颁贬听101 | Chemistry - A Molecular Science 2 | 3 |
| 颁贬听102 | General Chemistry Laboratory | 1 |
| 颁贬听201 | Chemistry - A Quantitative Science | 3 |
| 颁贬听202 | Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory | 1 |
| 笔驰听205 &补尘辫;听笔驰听206 | Physics for Engineers and Scientists I and Physics for Engineers and Scientists I Laboratory | 4 |
| 辞谤听笔驰听211 | College Physics I | |
| 笔驰听208 &补尘辫;听笔驰听209 | Physics for Engineers and Scientists II and Physics for Engineers and Scientists II Laboratory | 4 |
| 辞谤听笔驰听212 | College Physics II | |
| Geology Core Courses 2 | ||
| 惭贰础听100 | Earth System Science: Exploring the Connections | 4 |
| 惭贰础听101 | Geology I: Physical 3 | 3-4 |
| 辞谤听惭贰础听140 | Natural Hazards and Global Change | |
| 辞谤听惭贰础听150 | Environmental Issues in Water Resources | |
| 辞谤听惭贰础听200 | Introduction to Oceanography | |
| 惭贰础听110 | Geology I Laboratory | 1 |
| 惭贰础听202 | Geology II: Historical | 3 |
| 惭贰础听211 | Geology II Laboratory | 1 |
| 惭贰础听257 | Visualizing Geology in 3D & 4D | 1 |
| 惭贰础听410 | Introduction to Mineralogy | 3 |
| 惭贰础听440 | Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology | 3 |
| 惭贰础听450 | Introductory Sedimentology and Stratigraphy | 4 |
| 惭贰础听451 | Structural Geology | 4 |
| 惭贰础听465 | Geologic Field Camp | 4 |
| 惭贰础听466 | Preparatory Course for Field Camp | 1 |
| 惭贰础听495 | Junior Seminar in the Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences | 1 |
| Restricted Electives | ||
| Restricted Electives: 2 | 15 | |
| Environmental Geology | ||
| Geochemistry of Natural Waters | ||
| Life on Earth: Principles of Paleontology | ||
| Introduction to Geophysics | ||
| Glaciology | ||
| Volcanology | ||
| Exploration and Engineering Geophysics | ||
| Geomorphology: Earth's Dynamic Surface | ||
| Introduction to Hydrogeology | ||
| Math/Science Option 2 | 6 | |
| Advised Electives | ||
| Advised Electives 2, 4 | 9 | |
| GEP Courses | ||
| GEP Humanities | 6 | |
| GEP Social Sciences | 6 | |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 2 | |
| GEP Elective | 3 | |
| GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement) | ||
| GEP Foundations of American Democracy (verify requirement) | ||
| World Language Proficiency (verify requirement) | ||
| Free Electives | ||
| Free Electives (12 Hr S/U Lmt) 5 | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- 1
COS 100 is for new freshmen only.听 Transfer students will need to select a course from the GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives course list.
- 2
A grade of a C- or higher is required. No more than one D will be allowed in Geology Core Courses, Restricted Electives, and Advised Electives. No more than one D will be allowed in other math and natural science courses.
- 3
Transfer students who have completed MEA 140, MEA 150, or MEA 200 can use those credits in lieu of MEA 101.听 All students must complete MEA 110.
- 4
Advised Electives are in the geosciences and related fields and are to be selected with the advice and consent of the advisor to meet the student鈥檚 career objective.
- 5
Free electives may not be MA 100, MA 101, MA 103, MA 107, MA 108, or MA 111.
- 6
GIS 280 or MEA 217 is recommended.
Computer Science Option
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 骋滨厂听280 | Introduction to GIS 6 | 3 |
| 辞谤听惭贰础听217 | Introduction to Computing in the Geosciences | |
| 辞谤听惭础听116 | Introduction to Scientific Programming (Math) | |
| 辞谤听颁厂颁听111 | Introduction to Computing: Python | |
| 辞谤听颁厂颁听112 | Introduction to Computing-FORTRAN | |
| 辞谤听颁厂颁听113 | Introduction to Computing - MATLAB | |
| 辞谤听颁厂颁听116 | Introduction to Computing - Java | |
Restricted Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 惭贰础听300 | Environmental Geology | 4 |
| 惭贰础听323 | Geochemistry of Natural Waters | 3 |
| 惭贰础听369 | Life on Earth: Principles of Paleontology | 3 |
| 惭贰础听470 | Introduction to Geophysics | 3 |
| 惭贰础听472 | Glaciology | 3 |
| 惭贰础听478 | Volcanology | 3 |
| 惭贰础听471 | Exploration and Engineering Geophysics | 3 |
| 惭贰础听481 | Geomorphology: Earth's Dynamic Surface | 3 |
| 惭贰础听485 | Introduction to Hydrogeology | 3 |
听Math/Science Option
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 叠滨翱听181 | Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity | 4 |
| 叠滨翱听183 | Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology | 4 |
| 叠滨翱听310 | Quantitative Approaches to Biological Problems | 3 |
| 叠滨翱听315 | General Parasitology | 3 |
| 叠滨翱听325 | Paleontological Field Methods | 4 |
| 叠滨翱听330 | Evolutionary Biology | 3 |
| 叠滨翱听361 | Developmental Biology | 3 |
| 叠滨翱听370 | Developmental Anatomy of the Vertebrates | 3 |
| 叠滨翱听375 | Developmental Anatomy Laboratory | 2 |
| 叠滨翱听405 | Functional Histology | 3 |
| 叠滨翱听414 | Cell Biology | 3 |
| 叠滨翱听416 | Cancer Cell Biology | 3 |
| 叠滨翱听418 | Cell Biology Research Lab | 2 |
| 叠滨翱听424 | Endocrinology | 3 |
| 叠滨翱听432 | Evolutionary Medicine | 3 |
| 叠滨翱听434 | Hormones and Behavior | 3 |
| 叠滨翱听440 | The Human Animal: An Evolutionary Perspective | 3 |
| 叠滨翱听444 | The Biology of Love and Sex | 3 |
| 叠滨翱听481 | Senior Capstone Project | 1 |
| 叠滨翱听482 | Capstone Course in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology | 3 |
| 叠滨翱听483 | Capstone Course in Integrative Physiology and Neurobiology | 3 |
| 叠滨翱听484 | Capstone Course in Human Biology | 3 |
| 叠滨翱听485 | Capstone Course in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology | 3 |
| 叠滨翱听488 | Neurobiology | 3 |
| 叠滨翱听498 | 3 | |
| 叠滨翱听499 | 3 | |
| 叠厂颁听492 | Professional Experience | 1-3 |
| 叠厂颁听493 | Research Experience | 1-3 |
| 叠厂颁听495 | Special Topics in Biological Sciences | 1-6 |
| 颁贬听220 | Introductory Organic Chemistry | 3 |
| 颁贬听221 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| 颁贬听222 | Organic Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| 颁贬听315 | Quantitative Analysis | 3 |
| 颁贬听316 | Quantitative Analysis Laboratory | 1 |
| 颁贬听331 | Introductory Physical Chemistry | 4 |
| CH/PSE 335 | Principles of Green Chemistry | 4 |
| 颁贬听345 | Chemistry and War | 3 |
| 颁贬听401 | Systematic Inorganic Chemistry I | 3 |
| 颁贬听403 | Systematic Inorganic Chemistry II | 3 |
| 颁贬听415 | Analytical Chemistry II | 3 |
| 颁贬听431 | Physical Chemistry I | 3 |
| 颁贬听433 | Physical Chemistry II | 3 |
| 颁贬听435 | Introduction to Quantum Chemistry | 3 |
| 颁贬听437 | Physical Chemistry for Engineers | 4 |
| 颁贬听441 | Forensic Chemistry | 3 |
| 颁贬听442 | Advanced Synthetic Techniques | 4 |
| 颁贬听444 | Advanced Synthetic Techniques II | 4 |
| 颁贬听452 | Advanced Measurement Techniques I | 4 |
| 颁贬听454 | Advanced Measurement Techniques II | 4 |
| CH 463/563 | Molecular Origins of Life | 3 |
| 颁贬听495 | Special Topics in Chemistry | 1-4 |
| 颁贬听499 | Undergraduate Research in Chemistry | 1-3 |
| 惭础听242 | Calculus III | 4 |
| 惭础听302 | Numerical Applications to Differential Equations | 1 |
| 惭础听303 | Linear Analysis | 3 |
| 惭础听305 | Introductory Linear Algebra and Matrices | 3 |
| MA/MEA 315 | Mathematics Methods in Atmospheric Sciences | 4 |
| 惭础听325 | Introduction to Applied Mathematics | 3 |
| 惭础听331 | Differential Equations for the Life Sciences | 3 |
| MA/LOG 335 | Symbolic Logic | 3 |
| 惭础听341 | Applied Differential Equations I | 3 |
| 惭础听351 | Introduction to Discrete Mathematical Models | 3 |
| 惭础听401 | Applied Differential Equations II | 3 |
| 惭础听402 | Mathematics of Scientific Computing | 3 |
| 惭础听403 | Introduction to Modern Algebra | 3 |
| 惭础听405 | Introduction to Linear Algebra | 3 |
| 惭础听407 | Introduction to Modern Algebra for Mathematics Majors | 3 |
| 惭础听408 | Foundations of Euclidean Geometry | 3 |
| 惭础听410 | Theory of Numbers | 3 |
| 惭础听412 | Long-Term Actuarial Models | 3 |
| 惭础听413 | Short-Term Actuarial Models | 3 |
| MA/CSC 416 | Introduction to Combinatorics | 3 |
| 惭础听421 | Introduction to Probability | 3 |
| 惭础听425 | Mathematical Analysis I | 3 |
| 惭础听426 | Mathematical Analysis II | 3 |
| MA/CSC 427 | Introduction to Numerical Analysis I | 3 |
| MA/CSC 428 | Introduction to Numerical Analysis II | 3 |
| 惭础听430 | Mathematical Models in the Physical Sciences | 3 |
| 惭础听432 | Mathematical Models in Life Sciences | 3 |
| 惭础听437 | Applications of Algebra | 3 |
| 惭础听444 | Problem Solving Strategies for Competitions | 1 |
| 惭础听450 | Methods of Applied Mathematics I | 3 |
| 惭础听451 | Methods of Applied Mathematics II | 3 |
| 惭础听491 | Reading in Honors Mathematics | 1-6 |
| 惭础听493 | Special Topics in Mathematics | 1-6 |
| 惭础听494 | Major Paper in Mathematics | 1 |
| 惭础听499 | Independent Research in Mathematics | 1-6 |
| 笔驰听301 | Introduction to Quantum Mechanics | 3 |
| 笔驰听328 | Stellar and Galactic Astrophysics | 3 |
| 笔驰听341 | Relativity, Gravitation and Cosmology | 3 |
| 笔驰听401 | Quantum Physics I | 3 |
| 笔驰听402 | Quantum Physics II | 3 |
| 笔驰听407 | Introduction to Modern Physics | 3 |
| 笔驰听411 | Mechanics I | 3 |
| 笔驰听412 | Mechanics II | 3 |
| 笔驰听413 | Thermal Physics | 3 |
| 笔驰听414 | Electromagnetism I | 3 |
| 笔驰听415 | Electromagnetism II | 3 |
| 笔驰听452 | Advanced Physics Laboratory | 3 |
| PY/ECE/MSE 489 | Solid State Solar and Thermal Energy Harvesting | 3 |
| 笔驰听495 | Special Topics in Physics | 1-4 |
| 笔驰听499 | Independent Research in Physics | 1-6 |
| 厂罢听307 | Introduction to Statistical Programming- SAS | 1 |
| 厂罢听308 | Introduction to Statistical Programming - R | 1 |
| 厂罢听311 | Introduction to Statistics | 3 |
| 厂罢听312 | Introduction to Statistics II | 3 |
| ST/BUS 350 | Economics and Business Statistics | 3 |
| 厂罢听370 | Probability and Statistics for Engineers | 3 |
| 厂罢听371 | Introduction to Probability and Distribution Theory | 3 |
| 厂罢听372 | Introduction to Statistical Inference and Regression | 3 |
| 厂罢听401 | Experiences in Data Analysis | 4 |
| 厂罢听405 | Applied Nonparametric Statistics | 3 |
| ST/GPH 404 | Epidemiology and Statistics in Global Public Health | 3 |
| 厂罢听412 | Long-Term Actuarial Models | 3 |
| 厂罢听413 | Short-Term Actuarial Models | 3 |
| 厂罢听421 | Introduction to Mathematical Statistics I | 3 |
| 厂罢听422 | Introduction to Mathematical Statistics II | 3 |
| 厂罢听430 | Introduction to Regression Analysis | 3 |
| 厂罢听431 | Introduction to Experimental Design | 3 |
| 厂罢听432 | Introduction to Survey Sampling | 3 |
| 厂罢听433 | Applied Spatial Statistics | 3 |
| 厂罢听434 | Applied Time Series | 3 |
| 厂罢听435 | Statistical Methods for Quality and Productivity Improvement | 3 |
| 厂罢听437 | Applied Multivariate and Longitudinal Data Analysis | 3 |
| 厂罢听440 | Applied Bayesian Analysis | 3 |
| ST/CSC 442 | Introduction to Data Science | 3 |
| 厂罢听445 | Introduction to Statistical Computing and Data Management | 3 |
| 厂罢听446 | Intermediate SAS Programming with Applications | 3 |
| 厂罢听491 | Statistics in Practice | 3 |
| 厂罢听495 | Special Topics in Statistics | 1-6 |
| 厂罢听497 | Professional Experience in Statistics | 1-3 |
| 厂罢听498 | Independent Study In Statistics | 1-6 |
| 厂罢听499 | Research Experience in Statistics | 1-3 |
Semester Sequence
This is a sample.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| 惭贰础听100 | Earth System Science: Exploring the Connections 2 | 4 |
| 惭础听141 or 惭础听131 | Calculus I 2 or Calculus for Life and Management Sciences A | 3-4 |
| 惭贰础听101 &补尘辫;听惭贰础听110 | Geology I: Physical and Geology I Laboratory 2 | 4 |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| 颁翱厂听100 | Science of Change 1 | 2 |
| 听 | Hours | 14 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| 颁贬听101 &补尘辫;听颁贬听102 | Chemistry - A Molecular Science and General Chemistry Laboratory 2 | 4 |
| 贰狈骋听101 | Academic Writing and Research 2 | 4 |
| 惭础听241 or 惭础听231 | Calculus II 2 or Calculus for Life and Management Sciences B | 3-4 |
| 惭贰础听202 &补尘辫;听惭贰础听211 | Geology II: Historical and Geology II Laboratory 2 | 4 |
| 听 | Hours | 16 |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Math/Science Option 2 | 3 | |
| 惭贰础听410 | Introduction to Mineralogy 2 | 3 |
| 笔驰听205 &补尘辫;听笔驰听206 or 笔驰听211 | Physics for Engineers and Scientists I 2 or College Physics I | 4 |
| 颁贬听201 &补尘辫;听颁贬听202 | Chemistry - A Quantitative Science and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory 2 | 4 |
| 听 | Hours | 14 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Computer Science Option 6 | 3 | |
| 颁翱惭听110 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| 惭贰础听257 | Visualizing Geology in 3D & 4D | 1 |
| 惭贰础听440 | Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology | 3 |
| 笔驰听208 &补尘辫;听笔驰听209 or 笔驰听212 | Physics for Engineers and Scientists II or College Physics II | 4 |
| 听 | Hours | 14 |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Math/Science Option 2 | 3 | |
| 惭贰础听451 | Structural Geology 2 | 4 |
| Restricted Elective 2 | 3 | |
| GEP Social Sciences | 3 | |
| 听 | Hours | 13 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Advanced Writing Elective | 3 | |
| Advised Elective 2, 4 | 3 | |
| 惭贰础听450 | Introductory Sedimentology and Stratigraphy 2 | 4 |
| 惭贰础听466 | Preparatory Course for Field Camp 2 | 1 |
| 惭贰础听495 | Junior Seminar in the Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences 2 | 1 |
| Restricted Elective 2 | 3 | |
| 听 | Hours | 15 |
| Summer | ||
| 惭贰础听465 | Geologic Field Camp 2 | 4 |
| 听 | Hours | 4 |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Restricted Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Advised Elective 2, 4 | 3 | |
| GEP Humanities | 3 | |
| GEP Elective | 3 | |
| GEP Social Sciences | 3 | |
| 听 | Hours | 15 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Advised Elective 2, 4 | 3 | |
| Restricted Elective 2 | 6 | |
| GEP Humanities | 3 | |
| Free Elective 5 | 3 | |
| 听 | Hours | 15 |
| 听 | Total Hours | 120 |
- 1
COS 100 is for new freshmen only.听 Transfer students will need to select a course from the GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives course list.
- 2
A grade of a C- or higher is required. No more than one D will be allowed in Geology Core Courses, Restricted Electives, and Advised Electives. No more than one D will be allowed in other math and natural science courses.
- 3
Transfer students who have completed MEA 140, MEA 150, or MEA 200 can use those credits in lieu of MEA 101.听 All students must complete MEA 110.
- 4
Advised Electives are in the geosciences and related fields and are to be selected with the advice and consent of the advisor to meet the student鈥檚 career objective.
- 5
Free electives may not be MA 100, MA 101, MA 103, MA 107, MA 108, or MA 111.
- 6
GIS 280 or MEA 217 is recommended.
Career Opportunities
MEAS undergraduate degree programs provide talented students with the foundation of scientific knowledge required for careers in government, industry, or academia. Many students pursue graduate degrees after completion of an MEAS undergraduate degree.
Geology graduates address society鈥檚 needs for dealing effectively with earth processes, such as water resources and the stability of land forms. They work for engineering firms, permit-issuing agencies, and industries that rely on geological resources. Historical geologists are familiar with the evolution of earth through time and provide a perspective on potential long-term reactions of the earth systems to change. Those who concentrate in Environmental Geology are trained to assess and monitor geological resources such as ground water. Marine geologists are experts in the complex issues facing industry, municipalities, and residents in the dynamic and ecologically vulnerable coastal zone.
MEAS graduates play a key service role for the State of North Carolina, assisting in everything from forecasting severe storms and analyzing the impact of atmospheric pollutants on agriculture and our estuaries, to determining the effects of toxic waste disposal on quality of surface and ground water.
Career Titles
- Agricultural Engineer
- Architect
- Astronomer
- Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
- Cartographer and Photogrammetrists
- Environmental Compliance Inspector
- Environmental Engineer
- Environmental Planner
- Environmental Research Analyst
- Geographer
- Geological Data Technicians
- Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians
- Geologist
- Geophysicist
- Geothermal Production Manager
- Hazardous Waste Management Analyst
- Hydrographer
- Hydrologist
- Industrial Waste Inspector
- Irrigation Engineer
- Landscape Architect
- Materials Scientist
- Meteorologist
- Mining Engineer
- Oceanographer
- Paleontologist
- Park Naturalist
- Petroleum Engineer
- Petroleum Geologist
- Petroleum Laboratory Assistant
- Petroleum Technician
- Seismologist
- Soil Conservation Technician
- Soil Conservationist
- Soil Engineer
- Soil Scientist
- Urban and Regional Planner
- Water Pollution Control Inspector
- Water Resource Specialists
- Weather Forecaster
Learn More About Careers
Explore North Carolina鈥檚 central online resource for students, parents, educators, job seekers and career counselors looking for high quality job and career information.
Browse the Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to view state and area employment and wage statistics. You can also identify and compare similar occupations based on your interests.
View videos that provide career details and information on wages, employment trends, skills needed, and more for any occupation. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
(NC State student email address required)
This career, major and education planning system is available to current NC State students to learn about how your values, interests, competencies, and personality fit into the NC State majors and your future career. An NC State email address is required to create an account. Make an appointment with your to discuss the results.
(Available to prospective students)
A career assessment tool designed to support prospective students in exploring and choosing the right major and career path based on your unique personality, interests, skills and values. Get started with Focus 2 Apply and see how it can guide your journey at NC State.