Comprehensive Bachelor of Science in Geology

The Comprehensive Bachelor of Science is a rigorous, highly structured degree program intended to provide the student a solid foundation in mathematics, chemistry, and physics, as well as an introduction to each of the major sub-disciplines of geology. This degree program is designed primarily for students who plan to become professional scientists by continuing their geologic education at the graduate level.

Requirements for the Comprehensive Bachelor of Science in Geology

• GLG 110 Principles of Geology (4 credits)   or  GLG 171 Environmental Geology (4 cr.) plus GLG 172 Principles of Geology Lab (1 cr.)
• GLG 314 Historical Geology (5 credits)
• GLG 332 Mineralogy (4 credits)
• GLG 333 Petrology (4 credits)
• GLG 340 Structural Geology (4 credits)
• GLG 351 Photogeology (3 cr.) or GRY 360 Interpretation of Aerial Photography (3 cr.)
• GLG 358 Writing II: Reporting Geological Information (3 credits)
• GLG 413 Field Geology (6 credits)
• GLG 415 Invertebrate Paleontology (4 credits)
• GLG 570 Principles of Stratigraphy (4 credits)
• GLG 472 Geohydrology or GLG 590 Applied Geophysics (3 credits)
• GLG 318-599 Upper Division Geology Electives (9 credits)
• GRY 348 Geomorphology (3 credits)
• CHM 160 General Chemistry I (4 credits)
• CHM 170 + 175 General Chemistry II (5 credits)
• PHY 123 or 203 Physics I (4 or 5 credits)
• PHY 124 or 204 Physics II (4 or 5 credits)
• MTH 261 or 287 Calculus I (5 or 3 credits)
• MTH 280 or 288 Calculus II (5 or 3 credits)

This program does not require a minor.

Sample Four-Year Schedule (PDF*).  [NOTE: Students are provided with assistance in their selection of classes by academic advisors.  Each student schedule is prepared individually, and your schedule will be based on your ACT scores, high school preparation, and other factors.  This is just one example of a schedule for completing the Comprehensive Bachelor of Science in Geology in four years.]  (*View and print PDF files using Adobe Acrobat Reader.)

Disclaimer:  We strive to keep this web page accurate and up-to-date.  However, the only official source for the requirements for this program is the current edition of the Missouri State Undergraduate Catalog.

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Noncomprehensive Bachelor of Science in Geology

The Noncomprehensive Bachelor of Science is a less structured degree program which allows the student flexibility to design a course of study appropriate for his/her individual needs and interests. When coupled with an appropriate minor, this option can allow the student to study a particular branch of geology in greater detail than would be possible under the more structured Comprehensive B.S. Possible areas of concentration (with appropriate minors) include

• geohydrology (with chemistry or math minor)
• energy or mineral resources (with economics or business minor)
• waste management (with chemistry or business minor)
• engineering geology (with physics minor)
• geochemistry (with chemistry minor)
• geophysics (with physics or math minor)
• mapping (with geospatial science minor)
• paleontology (with biology minor)

Requirements for the Non-Comprehensive Bachelor of Science in Geology

• GLG 110 Principles of Geology (4 credits)   or  GLG 171 Environmental Geology (4 cr.) plus GLG 172 Principles of Geology Lab (1 cr.)
• GLG 314 Historical Geology (5 credits)
• GLG 332 Mineralogy (4 credits)
• GLG 333 Petrology (4 credits)
• GLG 358 Writing II: Reporting Geological Information (3 credits)
•  GLG 340 Structural Geology (4 credits) or GLG 415 Invertebrate Paleontology (4 credits)
      or GLG 570 Principles of Stratigraphy (4 credits)
• GLG 412 Field Geology of the Midcontinent Region (4 cr.) or GLG 413 Field Geology (6 cr.)
• CHM 160 General Chemistry I (4 credits)
• Complete 14 hours selected from
  • CHM 170 + 175 General Chemistry II (5 credits)
  • GLG courses numbered 318 or higher, but not to include more than 4 hours of GLG 360
  • GRY 348 Geomorphology (3 cr) or GRY 360 Interpretation of Aerial Photography (3 cr)
        or GRY 363 Principles of Cartography (4 credits)

This program requires a minor.

Sample Four-Year Schedule (PDF*).  [NOTE: Students are provided with assistance in their selection of classes by academic advisors.  Each student schedule is prepared individually, and your schedule will be based on your ACT scores, high school preparation, and other factors.  This is just one example of a schedule for completing the Non-Comprehensive Bachelor of Science in Geology in four years.]  (*View and print PDF files using Adobe Acrobat Reader.)

Disclaimer:  We strive to keep this web page accurate and up-to-date.  However, the only official source for the requirements for this program is the current edition of the Missouri State Undergraduate Catalog.

For more information, contact Dr. Thomas G. Plymate, Geology Program Coordinator
(417) 836-5800;  TomPlymate@MissouriState.edu