GLY_BA - Bachelor of Arts

About this Program

• College: Liberal Arts and Sciences
• Degrees: Bachelor of Arts | Bachelor of Science
• Specializations: Environmental Geosciences (BA) | Environmental Geosciences (BS) | Geophysics (BS)
• Credits for Degree: 120
• More Info

To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.

Techniques such as environmental assessment, geological hazard assessment, field-based techniques, and geographic information systems (GIS) are used to evaluate the impact of humans on the physical earth and hydrologic environment. The practical and flexible curriculum, small class sizes, computer-based learning, strong faculty, and coursework in several areas of General Education make this major appealing to students who want skills linked to employment or preparation for entry to professional schools (e.g., law, medicine, business).

Geology majors learn about the Earth's physical environment including climate, non-renewable geological resources, renewable geological resources, geological hazards and remediation as well as basic skills required by geologists. These skills and the geological perspective open doors to employment in government agencies and private firms that deal with water management, mining and petroleum exploration, climate change, the environment, and education.

Note that some required courses include a field component, but alternatives to off-campus field work are available and special needs or concerns may be accommodated by speaking with a Geology advisor.

Coursework for the Major

The Geology major has five different options: the Bachelor of Arts, the Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Geosciences (a joint program with the Department of Geography), the Bachelor of Science in Geology, the Bachelor of Science in Geophysics, and the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences. Students who are uncertain which program best suits them should consult the Department of Geology's undergraduate coordinator for information and guidance on curriculum planning.

Degrees and Specializations

Bachelor of Arts

The most flexible degree, and best suited for students interested in careers in education or environmental policy making. The degree also allows students flexibility to pursue advanced degrees in environmental law or environmental medicine.

Bachelor of Arts | Environmental Geosciences

Co-offered by the Department of Geography, this specialization is for students interested in land and water aspects of the environment. It can be tailored to focus on water and mineral exploration and management, geological hazards, environmental planning, resource sustainability, or earth science education.

Bachelor of Science | Geology

This degree is designed for students planning to take the professional geology (PG) licensure exam or to continue to graduate study in Geology. It emphasizes a core understanding of petrology, structural geology, field methodology and paleontology, and it requires significant introductory coursework in calculus, general chemistry, and physics.

Bachelor of Science | Geophysics

This specialization is designed for students planning to take the professional geology (PG) licensure exam or to continue to graduate study in Geophysics or related fields. It emphasizes a core understanding of earth materials, structural geology, field methodology, quantitative and computational methods, and it requires significant coursework in mathematics, computational methods, general chemistry, and physics.

Bachelor of Science | Environmental Geosciences

This specialization is designed for students planning to take the professional geology (PG) licensure exam or to continue to graduate study in Environmental Geology/Hydrogeology. It emphasizes a core understanding of earth materials, structural geology, field methodology, geobiology. geochemistry, and it requires significant introductory coursework in calculus, general chemistry, and biology.

Relevant Minors and Certificates

UFTeach Program

There is a severe shortage of qualified secondary science teachers in Florida and nationwide. Students interested in becoming part of this high-demand profession should see the undergraduate coordinator about the UFTeach program. UFTeach students can complete the UFTeach minor in science teaching along with their BA or BS in Geology and have the coursework and preparation for professional teacher certification in Florida when they graduate.
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Research

Students in geology who wish to graduate with high or highest honors will be required to conduct an independent research project under the direction of a faculty member. Students are also afforded the opportunity to conduct research within the department's laboratories regardless of their honors status.

Bachelor of Arts

The Geology BA requires a minimum of 32 credits of coursework in the major. At least 23 credits must be GLY-prefixed courses at the 3000 level or above, excluding GLY 3105C. Students must earn a minimum grade of C for coursework to count toward the major.

Required Coursework

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Excluding GLY 3105C; minimum 17 credits.