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  • College Information
  • Biological Sciences
  • Chemistry
  • Geological Sciences
  • Mathematical Sciences
  • Physics

    Dr. Thomas E. Brady, Dean
    Dr. Pablo Arenaz, Associate Dean
    Dr. E. Alan Dean, Assistant Dean

    Bell Hall, Room 100
    Phone: (915) 747-5536
    Fax: (915) 747-6807

    		• Geological Sciences
    Web site at: http://www.geo.utep.edu/

    1.- Department Information
    2.- Baccalaureate Degrees
    3.- Geography (GEOG) Courses
    4.- Geology (GEOL) Courses
    5.- Geophysics (GEOP) Courses

    2.- Baccalaureate Degrees

    The department of Geological Sciences offers both the BA and BS degrees in Geological Sciences and the BS in Geophysics and Earth Science. The BS in Earth Science degree includes the opportunity to obtain a concentration in Secondary Teacher Certification.

    BS in Geological Sciences

    The requirement to obtain the BS in Geological Sciences consists of the general College of Science requirements plus the following specific requirements:

      Major (a minimum of 44 semester hours including 31 semester hours of upper-division course work): GEOL 3101-1101 (or 3103), 3102-1102 (or 3304), 4211, 3214, 3315, 4320, 4323, 3325, and 6465 plus 11 additional upper-division semester hours in geology or geophysics, at least six of which must be senior-level.

      Minor: Acceptable minors are: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, and Physics.

      Other: CHEM 3105-1105, 3106-1106, MATH 3112, PHYS 1120-1121, and PHYS 4210-4211 are required. MATH 3213 is highly recommended.

    Environmental Geoscience
    The department offers a group of courses designed for geological sciences or geophysics majors planning careers in the environmental field. When used to fulfill the elective requirements in geological sciences called for in these majors, these courses will provide the graduate with a strong contemporary background in those areas most critical to environmental investigations and problem solving. These courses include GEOL 4212 (Geoscience Processes), GEOL 3416 (Geochemistry), GEOL 3480 (Environmental Geology and Geophysics) and GEOL 3483 (Geohydrology).

    BS in Geophysics
    The requirement to obtain the BS in Geophysics consists of the general College of Science requirements plus the following specific requirements:

      Major (a minimum of 40 semester hours including 30 semester hours of upper-division course work): GEOL 3101-1101 (or 3103), 3102-1102 (or 3104), 4211, 3315, 4323, 3325, 6465, GEOP 3432, 3434, plus eight semester hours of upper-division course work in computer science, engineering, geological sciences, mathematics, physics.

      Minor (19 semester hours including nine semester hours of upper-division course work): A Physics minor is required- consisting of PHYS 4210, 4211, 1120, 1121, 3351, 3428, and 3441.

      Other: CHEM 3105-1105, CHEM 3106-1106; MATH 3112, 3213, 3226, and 3436 are required.

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    BS in Earth Science
    The requirement to obtain the BS in Earth Science consists of the general College of Science requirements plus the following specific requirements:

      Major (a minimum of 36 semester hours including 21 semester hours of upper-division course work): GEOL 3101-1101 (or 3103), 3102-1102 (or 3104); 4211 or4305; 4320, 3355; GEOG 3306, ASTR 3107-1107, and upper-division courses in geological sciences as needed to meet the 36-hour major requirement.

      Minor: Acceptable minors are biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, or secondary education.

      Other: CHEM 3105-1105 and CHEM 3106-1106 are required. If chemistry is the minor, BIOL 3105-1107, 3106-1108; or PHYS 4103-4104 (or 4210-4211) may be used as the additional science.

    Secondary Education Concentration: This concentration requires a minor in secondary education. Biology or chemistry are recommended as the 12-semester supporting field. If chemistry is not the supporting field, the required CHEM 3105-1105, 3106-1106 may be used as the second science. Otherwise, BIOL 3105-1107, 3106-1108; or PHYS 4103-4104 (or 4210-4211) may be used as the additional science.

    BA in Geological Sciences
    See the College of Liberal Arts section of this catalog for the general requirements for the BA degree. The specific courses required for the major are (a minimum of 30 semester hours including 20 semester hours of upper-division course work): GEOL 3101-1101 (or 3103), 3102-1102 (or 3104), 4211, 3315, 4320, 4323, 3325, and 6465. Also required are CHEM 3105-1105, 3106-1106, MATH 4110 and 4111, and PHYS 4103-4104 or 4210-4211.

      Minor in Geology: A minor in geology requires GEOL 3101-1101, 3102-1102, 4211, and an additional minimum of six (nine for the BA) upper-division semester hours selected from GEOL 3315, 4320, 4323, 3325, 3359, GEOP 3432, or 3434. GEOL 3103 may be substituted for 3101-1101 and/or 3104 may be substituted for 3102-1102, in which case the additional minimum of six upper-division semester hours is increased to 7 or 8.

      "C" Rule: Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses taken within the Department of Geological Sciences that are used to satisfy the above Geology and Geophysics degree requirements. Continuation in sequence courses (such as GEOL 3214 and 3315) after receiving a "D" in one of these courses is permitted with permission of the instructor. A student receiving a grade of "D" in a required course must repeat the course at its earliest offering. Students receiving consecutive grades of "D" will not be allowed to continue sequence courses until grades of "C" or better have been earned in the appropriate courses. A minimum grade point average of 2.0 must be achieved in required science courses taken outside the Geological Sciences department.

    Departmental Research
    All undergraduate students are encouraged to complete a research experience. The preferred option is completion of a Senior's Thesis (GEOL 3499). However, an appropriate Directed Study (GEOL 1466-3466 or GEOP 1467-3467) or Undergraduate Research (GEOL 1489-3489) course also fulfills this requirement.

    Departmental Honors in Geology or Geophysics
    Departmental honors in Geology or Geophysics will be awarded upon completion and acceptance of a Senior Honors Thesis. The senior thesis will describe original research in the appropriate discipline undertaken by the student in collaboration with one or more faculty members in the Department of Geological Sciences. Policies and procedures of the Honors degree will be administered by the Departmental Honors Committee.

    Any UTEP student having a strong background in geology or geophysics, at least 90 hours of undergraduate credit, and a GPA of at least 3.5 in courses in the Geological Sciences, as well as an overall GPA of at least 3.5, may apply for admission to the program. The Departmental Honors Committee retains the right to accept or not accept a qualified student, taking into consideration the number of applicants, the number of available faculty, and the competence of the individual student.

    The main requirements for Departmental Honors in Geology or Geophysics will be the satisfactory completion of an Honors Thesis based upon research in geology or geophysics, maintenance of a 3.5 GPA or better until graduation and the presentation of a seminar on the thesis topic. The accepted student will register for two semesters of GEOL 3499. The research will be carried out under the direction of a member of the faculty of the Department of Geological Sciences. The satisfactory completion of the Honors Thesis will be judged by the thesis-research director and the Departmental Honors Committee. Departmental Honors may be awarded with or without other University honors.

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