The Bachelor of Arts program is designed primarily for the liberal arts student who has an interest in careers in Geoscience education or environmental policy and law. A student who elects the B.A. program and decides to pursue the geology profession or attend graduate school will need at least field geology in his/her program.
This degree emphasizes a comprehensive understanding of the Earth’s structure, materials, processes, and history. The intent of a Geology Bachelor’s degree is to provide students with a strong foundation in geology and the skills necessary to pursue various career paths within the geosciences, including environmental consulting, natural resource exploration, geological surveys, research, or further studies at the graduate level. Specifically, a geology degree aims to achieve the following:
- Foundational Knowledge of the basic principles of geology such as mineralogy, petrology, sedimentology, stratigraphy, structural geology, and plate tectonics.
- Field-based courses where students learn to gather data and observations, and apply their knowledge in real-world settings.
- Laboratory work to teach students essential analytical and scientific techniques.
- Earth History and Processes that shape the Earth’s surface, such as volcanism, erosion, weathering, and the formation of geological structures.
- Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking. Students learn to analyze geological data, interpret complex geological phenomena, and make informed decisions based on evidence and scientific principles.
- Environmental and Resource Management.
