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Undergraduate Catalog
2005-2007
Fall 2006 Update

College of Natural Sciences
and Mathematics

Department of Geosciences

See also: General Degree Information

Department-specific courses:
Geology (GEOL)

Who's Who in the Department of Geosciences

Chairman:
John F. Casey

Professors:
Kevin C. Burke, Daewon W. Byun, John F. Casey, John P. Castagna, Henry S. Chafetz, Stuart A. Hall, Fred Hilterman, Rosalie F. Maddocks, Kurt Marfurt, Archibald M. Reid, Arthur Weglein

Associate Professors:
Regina Regina Capuano, Peter Copeland, William R. Dupré, Ian Evans, James R. Lawrence, Yaoling Niu, Bernhard Rappenglueck, Sharon Zhong, Hua-Wei Zhou

Assistant Professors:
Shuhab Khan, Barry L. Lefer, Aibing Li, Michael Murphy

Overview

The geosciences are concerned with how the Earth works, the processes that shape its internal and external structure, and the development of our planet and other bodies in our solar system through time. It includes the study of the solid earth as well as its fluid envelopes.

Geoscientists are charged with a wide variety of tasks, such as finding adequate supplies of natural resources, protecting our natural environment from environmental degradation, reducing the risks associated with geologic hazards, documenting and understanding the evolution of life through time and providing insights into past and future changes in global climate.

The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree is offered in both geology and geophysics.The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree is offered in earth science. Students may also choose an option in either environmental geosciences or atmospheric sciences for a B.S. in environmental systems.

Geosciences graduates typically find careers with energy or environmental companies, either with a B.S. degree in geology or geophysics or after completing a graduate degree.  The B.S. in environmental science prepares students for careers in environmental fields. Graduates with B.A. degrees in earth science are prepared for careers such as teaching (K-12) or may enter graduate programs in law, business, environmental studies, or public policy.

Department of Geosciences faculty members are geologists, geophysicists and atmospheric scientists. Their research and teaching encompasses a wide range of topics including sedimentology and straitigraphy, geochemistry, and petrology, structure and tectonics, environmental and atmospheric geosciences, remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and applied and fundamental seismology. Many faculty members have backgrounds in basic research or in applied industry and government service, and all bring their expertise to their research and teaching.

Undergraduate research opportunities exist with faculty members, and participation is strongly encouraged. Since Houston is home to numerous energy companies, there are plentiful opportunities for geosciences undergraduates to gain valuable experience prior to graduation and employment after graduation.



Departmental Requirements

The Bachelor of Science degree in both geology and geophysics, and the Bachelor of Arts degree in earth science, require that:

  • no geoscience course with a grade below C- be used as a prerequisite for a more advanced geoscience course;
  • students with more than six hours below C- in geoscience courses not be allowed to enroll in subsequent geoscience courses without written permission from the undergraduate advisor.

All undergraduate geology, geophysics and earth science majors are encouraged to meet with the undergraduate advisor prior to registration each semester.

Prerequisites for all geosciences courses are strictly enforced.

Geology Major

Students who choose to major in geology must complete the following requirements in addition to the special requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree:

Requirements Hours
Chemistry
CHEM 1111, 1112, 1331, and 1332 8
Mathematics
MATH 1431, 1432, and 2433 12
Physics
PHYS 1321, 1121, 1322, and 1122 8
Electives
Eighteen hours of approved electives, to include the NSM Capstone Requirement. Historical Geology, computer science, biology, and foreign language are highly recommended. 18
Geology
GEOL 1130, 1330, 3130, 3145, 3150, 3325, 3330, 3335, 3340, 3345, 3350, 3355, 3360, 3370, 3371, and 4330 40
Six semester hours of advanced Geology or Geophysics electives
Successful completion of GEOL 3355 and 3360 satisfies NSM Capstone Requirement		 6

Geophysics Major

Students who choose to major in geophysics must complete the following requirements in addition to the special requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree:

Requirements Hours
Chemistry
CHEM 1111, 1112, 1331, and 1332 8
Mathematics
MATH 1431, 1432, 2433, 3321, 3363 and 3364 21
Physics
PHYS 1321, 1121, 1322, and 1122 8
Electives
Thirteen hours of approved electives, to include the NSM Capstone Requirement. Students are encouraged to take three semester hours of 4000-level mathematics in order to complete a mathematics minor. 13
Geology
GEOL 1130, 1330, 3145, 3150, 3325, 3340, 3345, 3350, 3370, 4330 24
Approved advanced Geophysics electives 12
Approved advanced Geology or Geophysics electives 6

Earth Science Major

Students who choose to major in earth science must complete the following requirements in addition to the special requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree:

Requirements Hours
Biology
BIOL 1161, 1162, 1361, 1362 8
Chemistry
CHEM 1111, 1112, 1331 and 1332 8
Mathematics
MATH 1310 and 1330 6
Physics
PHYS 1101, 1102, 1301 and 1302 8
Electives
24 semester hours of approved electives, of which 12 must be advanced, to include the NSM Capstone requirement. 24
Geology
Geol 1130, 1176, 1330, 1376, 3177, 3178, 3325, 3340, 3377, and 3378, and 10 additional hours, of which 5 must be advanced. GEOL 3370 is highly recommended. 32

Geology Minor

Students who choose to minor in geology must complete the general requirements for a minor as well as the following:

Requirements Hours
Geology
GEOL 1130, 1330, 1176, 1376, and nine semester hours of approved advanced geoscience electives 17

Students should consult the Academic Regulations and Degree Requirements section of this catalog for general information on the requirements for minors. Students must earn a 2.00 minimum cumulative grade point average on all courses attempted in the minor discipline at the University of Houston. Courses which by catalog statement cannot be applied toward a degree in Natural Sciences and Mathematics, or which have other relevant catalog restrictions will not be included in the minor grade point average.

No course may count toward the minor in which a grade of less than C- is earned.

This minor is not available to earth science majors.

Geophysics Minor

Students who choose to minor in geophysics must complete the general requirements for a minor as well as the following:

Requirements Hours
Geology
GEOL 1130, 1330, 4330 7
12 hours of approved advanced geosciences electives including six semester hours of geophysics electives. 12

Students should consult the Academic Regulations and Degree Requirements section of this catalog for general information on the requirements for minors. Students must earn a 2.00 minimum cumulative grade point average on all courses attempted in the minor discipline at the University of Houston. Courses which by catalog statement cannot be applied toward a degree in Natural Sciences and Mathematics, or which have other relevant catalog restrictions will not be included in the minor grade point average.

No course may count toward the minor in which a grade of less than C- is earned.

Geographical Information Science (GIS) Certificate

The certificate in Geographical Information Science (GIS) provides students with knowledge and experience to work in the field of GIS both in the public and private sectors. The combination of courses focuses on the acquisition, storing, visualization, modeling, and analysis of information on spatial phenomena with some emphasis on geospatial applications.

Students seeking this certificate must have an undergraduate degree and hold graduate or post-baccalaureate status at the University of Houston. With permission of the department chair, qualified undergraduates will be allowed to participate in the certificate program. Students must fulfill the prerequisite requirements for all courses required.

The GIS Certificate requires a total of 15 credit hours.

Requirements Hours
Geology
GEOL 4331 , 6325, 6326 9
   
Electives
GEOL 6389, CIVI 7897, or 3 hours of approved GIS courses from other  departments 3
   
Individual Project

To be supervised by instructor in the area of specialty. This may be represented by a Senior Research project course for qualified undergraduate, or Special Problems research hours for graduate students.

 3
Total 15

Suggested Program -
Bachelor of Science in Geology

First Year

Fall Semester Hours
ENGL 1303. Freshman Composition I 1 3
CHEM 1331 and 1111. Fundamentals of Chemistry and Fundamentals of Chemistry Laboratory 4
GEOL 1330 and 1130. Physical Geology and Physical Geology Laboratory 4
MATH 1431. Calculus I 8 4
Total 15
Spring Semester Hours
ENGL 1304. Freshman Composition II 1 3
CHEM 1332 and 1112. Fundamentals of Chemistry and Fundamentals of Chemistry Laboratory 4
MATH 1432. Calculus II 4
Approved Elective (GEOL 1376, 1176: Historical Geology and Laboratory recommended) 4
Total 15

Second Year

Fall Semester Hours
GEOL 3325. Rocks and Minerals 3
MATH 2433. Calculus III 4
HIST 1377. The United States to 1877 or equivalent 3
Social and Behavioral Science Core 3
Humanities Core 3
Total 16
Spring Semester Hours
GEOL 3370. Mineralogy 3
GEOL 3340. Geologic Field Methods 3
PHYS 1321. University Physics I 1 3
PHYS 1121. Physics I Laboratory 1
HIST 1378. The United States Since 1877 or equivalent 3
Social Sciences Core Writing Intensive 3
Total 16

Third Year

Fall Semester Hours
GEOL 3371. Optical Mineralogy 3
GEOL 3350 and 3150. Principles of Stratigraphy and Principles of Stratigraphy Laboratory 4
PHYS 1322 and 1121. University Physics II 1 and Physics II Laboratory 4
Approved Elective 3
Total 14
Spring Semester Hours
GEOL 3345 and 3145. Structural Geology and Structural Geology Laboratory 4
Geosciences Elective (3000- or 4000-level) 3
Visual/Performing Arts Core 3
Approved Elective 4
Total 14

Summer Session Hours
GEOL 3355 and 3360. Field Geology 9 6
Total 6

Fourth Year

Fall Semester Hours
GEOL 4330. Introduction to Geophysics 3
Geoscience Elective (3000- or 4000-level) 3
POLS 1336. U.S. and Texas Constitutions and Politics or equivalent 3
Approved Elective 4
Total 13
Spring Semester Hours
GEOL 3330 and 3130. Principles of Paleobiology and Paleobiology Laboratory 4
GEOL 3335. Petrogenesis 3
POLS 1337. U.S. Government: Congress, President and Courts or equivalent 3
Approved Elective 3
Total 13

This suggested program is recommended for well-prepared, full-time, entering freshmen who are not working. Modifications to this sequence may be desirable for working, part-time, and transfer students.

Geosciences courses are commonly offered on a one or two year cycle. Therefore it is the student's responsibility to become familiar with course scheduling and the prerequisites for courses and to consult with the undergraduate advisor regularly.

All students are responsible for the completion of 36 advanced semester hours required for a University of Houston degree.

Suggested Program -
Bachelor of Science in Geophysics

First Year

Fall Semester Hours
ENGL 1303. Freshman Composition I 1 3
CHEM 1331 and 1111. Fundamentals of Chemistry and Fundamentals of Chemistry Laboratory 4
GEOL 1330 and 1130. Physical Geology and Physical Geology Laboratory 4
MATH 1431. Calculus I 8 4
Total 15
Spring Semester Hours
ENGL 1304. Freshman Composition II 1 3
CHEM 1332 and 1112. Fundamentals of Chemistry and Fundamentals of Chemistry Laboratory 4
MATH 1432. Calculus II 4
Social and Behavioral Sciences Core 3
Total 14

Second Year

Fall Semester Hours
GEOL 3325. Rocks and Minerals 3
MATH 2433. Calculus III 4
PHYS 1321. University Physics I 3
PHYS 1121. Physics I Laboratory 1
Social Sciences Core Writing Intensive 3
Visual/Performing Arts Core Course 3
Total 17
Spring Semester Hours
GEOL 3340. Geologic Field Methods 3
GEOL 3370. Mineralogy 3
MATH 3321. Engineering Math 3
PHYS 1322. University Physics II 3
PHYS 1122. Physics Laboratory II 1
Humanities Core 3
Total 16

Third Year

Fall Semester Hours
GEOL 4330. Introduction to Geophysics 3
GEOL 3350 and 3150. Principles of Stratigraphy and Principles of Stratigraphy Laboratory 4
MATH 3363. Introduction to Partial Differential Equations 3
HIST 1377. The United States to 1877 or equivalent 3
Approved Elective 1
Total 14
Spring Semester Hours
GEOL 3345 and 3145. Structural Geology and Structural Geology Laboratory 4
Geophysics Elective (3000- or 4000-level) 3
MATH 3364. Introduction to Complex Analysis 3
HIST 1378. The United States Since 1877 or equivalent 3
Approved Elective 3
Total 16

Fourth Year

Fall Semester Hours
Geology-Geophysics Elective (3000- or 4000-level) 3
Geophysics Elective (3000- or 4000-level) 3
POLS 1336. U.S. and Texas Constitutions and Politics or equivalent 3
NSM Capstone Requirement 3
Approved Elective 3
Total 15
Spring Semester Hours
Geology-Geophysics Elective (3000- or 4000-level) 3
Geophysics Electives (3000- or 4000-level) 6
POLS 1337. U.S. Government: Congress, President and Courts or equivalent 3
NSM Capstone Requirement 3
Total 15

This suggested program is recommended for well-prepared, full-time, entering freshmen who are not working. Modifications to this sequence may be desirable for working, part-time, and transfer students.

Geosciences courses are commonly offered on a one or two year cycle. Therefore it is the student's responsibility to become familiar with course scheduling and the prerequisites for courses and to consult with the undergraduate advisor regularly.

All students are responsible for the completion of 36 advanced semester hours required for a University of Houston degree.

 

Suggested Program -
Bachelor of Arts in Earth Science

First Year

Fall Semester Hours
ENGL 1303. Freshman composition I 1 3
HIST 1377. The United States to 1877 or equivalent 3
GEOL 1330 and 1130. Physical Geology and Physical Geology Laboratory 4
MATH 1310. College Algebra 3
Foreign Language 2000-level 3
Total 16
Spring Semester Hours
ENGL 1304. Freshman Composition II 1 3
HIST 1378. The United States Since 1877 or equivalent 3
GEOL 1376 and 1176. Historical Geology and Historical Geology Laboratory 4
MATH 1330. Precalculus 3
Foreign Language 2000-level 3
Total 16

Second Year

Fall Semester Hours
CHEM 1331 and 1111. Fundamentals of Chemistry and Fundamentals of Chemistry Laboratory 4
GEOL 3325. Rocks and Minerals 3
POLS 1336. U.S. and Texas Constitutions and Politics or equivalent 3
Visual/Performing Arts Core 3
Approved Elective 3
Total 16
Spring Semester Hours
CHEM 1332 and 1112. Fundamentals of Chemistry and Fundamentals of Chemistry Laboratory 4
GEOL 3378 and 3178. Principles of Atmospheric Science and Weather Information and Laboratory 4
POLS 1337. U.S. Government: Congress, President and Courts or equivalent 3
GEOL 3340. Geologic Field Methods 3
Humanities Core Course 3
Total 17

Third Year

Fall Semester Hours
BIOL 1361:1151. Introduction to Biological Science and Laboratory 4
GEOL 3377 and 3177. Introductory Oceanography and Oceanography Laboratory 4
Approved GEOL Elective 1
Social Sciences Core Course 3
Approved Elective 3
Total 15
Spring Semester Hours
BIOL 1362:1162. Introduction to Biological Science and Laboratory 4
Approved GEOL Elective (GEOL 3370 Mineralogy recommended) 3
Social Sciences Writing Intensive Core Course 3
Approved Elective 3
Approved Elective 3
Total 16

Fourth Year

Fall Semester Hours
PHYS 1301 and 1101. Introductory General Physics and Introductory General Physics Laboratory 4
Approved GEOL Elective (advanced) 3
NSM Capstone Requirement 3
Approved Elective (advanced) 3
Total 13
Spring Semester Hours
PHYS 1302 and 1102. Introductory General Physics and Introductory General Physics Laboratory 4
Approved GEOL Elective (Advanced) 3
NSM Capstone Requirement 3
Approved Elective (Advanced) 3
Total 13

This suggested program is recommended for well-prepared, full-time, entering freshmen who are not working. Modification of this sequence may be desirable for working, part-time and transfer students.

Geosciences courses are commonly offered on a one or two year cycle. Therefore it is the student's responsibility to become familiar with course scheduling and the prerequisites for courses and to consult with the undergraduate advisor regularly.

All students are responsible for the completion of 36 advanced semester hours required for a University of Houston degree.

 

 

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Last updated:
Friday, November 3, 2006 - 06:35 PM