The Geology B.S. program program blends rigorous coursework with hands-on experiences to equip you with the skills needed to study the earth's physical structure, natural resources and environmental systems. With access to cutting-edge technologies and experienced faculty, you'll gain the knowledge and skills to launch a rewarding career in the geology field.
Geology - B.S.
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- Joseph OrtizÌý| jortiz@kent.edu |
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Bachelor's Degree in Geology
The Bachelor of Science in Geology program is designed for those interested in a professional career in geology, or for those students who intend to pursue graduate study in Geology.
To obtain the B.S. degree, the student completes courses concerning minerals, rocks, landforms, fossils, structural geology, geochemistry, and field mapping, among others. These courses are supplemented by courses such as introductory chemistry, physics, biology, and mathematics.
Program Information for Geology - B.S.
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Program Description
Full Description
The Bachelor of Science degree in Geology is designed for those interested in a professional career in the field. The curriculum focuses on minerals, rocks, landforms, fossils, structural geology, geochemistry and field mapping, among others. Supplemental courses include introductory chemistry, physics, biology and mathematics. Students are also encouraged to specialize in an applied or theoretical area of the science.
The program features a capstone summer field course in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
Geology students may apply early to the and double count 9 credit hours of graduate courses toward both degree programs. See the policy in the University Catalog for more information.
The Geology major includes the following optional concentration:
- The Environmental Geology optional concentration provides students with specialized training for careers in the well-established and growing field of environmental geology, including water resources, resource management and energy resources. The concentration's curriculum focuses on hydrology, hydrogeology and environmental monitoring techniques.
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Admissions
for Geology - B.S.
Admission Requirements
The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago.
First-Year Students on the Kent Campus: First-year admission policy on the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon cumulative grade point average, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends. Students not admissible to the Kent Campus may be administratively referred to one of the seven regional campuses to begin their college coursework. For more information, visit the .
First-Year Students on the Regional Campuses: First-year admission to Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, as well as the Twinsburg Academic Center, is open to anyone with a high school diploma or its equivalent. For more information on admissions, contact the Regional Campuses admissions offices.
International Students: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning a minimum 525 TOEFL score (71 on the Internet-based version), minimum 75 MELAB score, minimum 6.0 IELTS score or minimum 48 PTE Academic score, or by completing the ELS level 112 Intensive Program. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.
Transfer Students: Students who have attended any other educational institution after graduating from high school must apply as undergraduate transfer students. For more information, visit the admissions website for transfer students.
Former Students: Former Â鶹ÊÓƵ students or graduates who have not attended another college or university since Â鶹ÊÓƵ may complete the reenrollment or reinstatement form on the University Registrar’s website.
Admission policies for undergraduate students may be found in the University Catalog's .
Some programs may require that students meet certain requirements before progressing through the program. For programs with progression requirements, the information is shown on the program's Coursework tab.
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Learning Outcomes
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Understand and communicate to others on the nature of scientific investigation and evidence.
- Understand and communicate to others on the complex interrelationships of the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere through geologic time.
- Understand Earth materials and interpret geologic and environmental processes.
- Synthesize geologic information to understand and solve geologic and environmental problems.
- Demonstrate critical thinking skills.
- Develop the skills to work as a geologist in the field and in the laboratory.
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Coursework
On This Page
Program Requirements
Major Requirements
Course List Code Title Credit Hours Major Requirements (courses count in major GPA) BSCI 10002 LIFE ON PLANET EARTH (KBS) 3-4 or BSCI 10110 BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY (ELR) (KBS) (KLAB) CHEM 10060 GENERAL CHEMISTRY I (KBS) 4 CHEM 10062 GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) 1 ESCI 22000 DEGREE AND CAREER PATHS IN EARTH SCIENCES (ELR) 1 ESCI 23063 EARTH MATERIALS I 4 ESCI 31070 EARTH MATERIALS II (WIC) 1 4 ESCI 31080 STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY 4 ESCI 34061 PRINCIPLES OF PALEONTOLOGY 4 ESCI 41092 SUMMER FIELD CAMP (ELR) 6 ESCI 42035 DATA ANALYSIS IN THE EARTH SCIENCES 3 or MATH 30011 BASIC PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS ESCI 44070 SEDIMENTOLOGY AND STRATIGRAPHY 4 MATH 12002 ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS I (KMCR) 5 PHY 13001 GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS I (KBS) 4 PHY 13021 GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS LABORATORY I (KBS) (KLAB) 1 Earth Electives, choose from the following: 4 ESCI 11040
& ESCI 11041HOW THE EARTH WORKS (KBS)
and HOW THE EARTH WORKS LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB)ESCI 11042
& ESCI 11043EARTH AND LIFE THROUGH TIME (KBS)
and EARTH AND LIFE THROUGH TIME LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB)Major Elective, choose from the following: 3 ESCI 11040HOW THE EARTH WORKS (KBS) ESCI 11042EARTH AND LIFE THROUGH TIME (KBS) ESCI 21062ENVIRONMENTAL EARTH SCIENCE (KBS) ESCI 21080ALL ABOUT THE OCEANS (KBS) Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA) UC 10001 FLASHES 101 1 Foreign Language (see Foreign Language College Requirement below) 8 6 9 6 General Electives (total credit hours depends on earning 120 credit hours, including 39 upper-division credit hours) 14 Additional Requirements or Concentration Choose from the following: 21 Minimum Total Credit Hours: 120 - 1
A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.
Additional Requirements for Students Not Declaring a Concentration
Course List Code Title Credit Hours Major Requirements (courses count in major GPA) Earth Science (ESCI) Upper-Division Electives (30000 or 40000 level) 1 15-16 Science Elective(s), choose from the following: 2 4-5 CHEM 10061
& CHEM 10063GENERAL CHEMISTRY II (KBS)
and GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB)GEOG 49070GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE PHY 13002
& PHY 13022GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS II (KBS)
and GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS LABORATORY II (KBS) (KLAB)Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA) General Elective 1 Minimum Total Credit Hours: 21 - 1
The following courses may not count toward the elective requirement: ESCI 41073, ESCI 41077 and ESCI 41079.
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Students who intend to pursue graduate studies in geology are recommended to complete both science lecture and lab courses: CHEM 10061, CHEM 10063, PHY 13002, PHY 13022.
Environmental Geology Concentration Requirements
Course List Code Title Credit Hours Concentration Requirements (courses count in major GPA) CHEM 10061 GENERAL CHEMISTRY II (KBS) 4 CHEM 10063 GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) 1 ESCI 32066 GEOMORPHOLOGY 4 ESCI 40380 BIOGEOCHEMISTRY 3 or ESCI 43040 PRINCIPLES OF GEOCHEMISTRY or ESCI 43042 ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY Environmental Geology Concentration Electives, choose from the following: 9 ESCI 40380BIOGEOCHEMISTRY ESCI 42030REMOTE SENSING ESCI 42065WATERSHED HYDROLOGY ESCI 42066PHYSICAL HYDROGEOLOGY ESCI 42068CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY AND HYDROGEOLOGY ESCI 43040PRINCIPLES OF GEOCHEMISTRY ESCI 43042ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY ESCI 43043ENVIRONMENTAL MINERALOGY ESCI 43044ENVIRONMENTAL ISOTOPES Minimum Total Credit Hours: 21 Graduation Requirements
Graduation Requirements Summary Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA 2.000 2.000 Foreign Language College Requirement, B.S.
- Students pursuing the Bachelor of Science degree in the College of Arts and Sciences must complete 8 credit hours of foreign language.1
- The following programs are exempt from this requirement: The Bachelor of Science in Cybercriminology and the Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science.2
- Minimum Elementary I and II of the same language
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All students with prior foreign language experience should take the foreign language placement test to determine the appropriate level at which to start. Some students may start beyond the Elementary I level and will complete the requirement with fewer credit hours and courses. This may be accomplished by (1) passing a course beyond Elementary I through Intermediate II level; (2) receiving credit through one of the programs offered by Â鶹ÊÓƵ; or (3) demonstrating comparable to Elementary II of a foreign language. When students complete the requirement with fewer than 8 credit hours and two courses, they will complete remaining credit hours with general electives.
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- The Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science exemption exists under another college policy (Three-Plus-One Programs). The Bachelor of Science in Cybercriminology exemption is due to its extensive collaboration with and contribution from the Information Technology program in the College of Applied and Technical Studies, which does not have a foreign language requirement.
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Roadmap
Roadmaps
Geology Major (No Concentration)
This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.
Plan of Study Grid Semester One Credits UC 10001 FLASHES 101 1 Earth Electives 4 Foreign Language 4 Kent Core Requirement 3 Kent Core Requirement 3 Credit Hours 15 Semester Two BSCI 10002 or BSCI 10110LIFE ON PLANET EARTH (KBS) or BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY (ELR) (KBS) (KLAB)3-4 Major Elective 3 Foreign Language 4 Kent Core Requirement 3 Credit Hours 13 Semester Three CHEM 10060 GENERAL CHEMISTRY I (KBS) 4 CHEM 10062 GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) 1 ESCI 22000 DEGREE AND CAREER PATHS IN EARTH SCIENCES (ELR) 1 ESCI 23063 EARTH MATERIALS I 4 Kent Core Requirement 3 Kent Core Requirement 3 Credit Hours 16 Semester Four ESCI 31070 EARTH MATERIALS II (WIC) 4 ESCI 31080 STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY 4 PHY 13001 GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS I (KBS) 4 PHY 13021 GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS LABORATORY I (KBS) (KLAB) 1 Credit Hours 13 Semester Five ESCI 34061 PRINCIPLES OF PALEONTOLOGY 4 ESCI 42035 or MATH 30011DATA ANALYSIS IN THE EARTH SCIENCES or BASIC PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS3 MATH 12002 ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS I (KMCR) 5 Kent Core Requirement 3 Credit Hours 15 Semester Six Earth Science (ESCI) Upper-Division Elective (30000 or 40000 level) 3 Science Elective(s) 4-5 Kent Core Requirement 3 General Electives 4 Credit Hours 15 Third Summer Term ESCI 41092 SUMMER FIELD CAMP (ELR) 6 Credit Hours 6 Semester Seven Earth Science (ESCI) Upper-Division Electives (30000 or 40000 level) 6 General Electives 9 Credit Hours 15 Semester Eight ESCI 44070 SEDIMENTOLOGY AND STRATIGRAPHY 4 Earth Science (ESCI) Upper-Division Electives (30000 or 40000 level) 6 General Elective 2 Credit Hours 12 Minimum Total Credit Hours: 120 Environmental Geology Concentration
This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.
Plan of Study Grid Semester One Credits UC 10001 FLASHES 101 1 Earth Electives 4 Foreign Language 4 Kent Core Requirement 3 Kent Core Requirement 3 Credit Hours 15 Semester Two BSCI 10002 or BSCI 10110LIFE ON PLANET EARTH (KBS) or BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY (ELR) (KBS) (KLAB)3-4 Major Elective 3 Foreign Language 4 Kent Core Requirement 3 Credit Hours 13 Semester Three CHEM 10060 GENERAL CHEMISTRY I (KBS) 4 CHEM 10062 GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) 1 ESCI 22000 DEGREE AND CAREER PATHS IN EARTH SCIENCES (ELR) 1 ESCI 23063 EARTH MATERIALS I 4 Kent Core Requirement 3 Kent Core Requirement 3 Credit Hours 16 Semester Four CHEM 10061 GENERAL CHEMISTRY II (KBS) 4 CHEM 10063 GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) 1 ESCI 31070 EARTH MATERIALS II (WIC) 4 MATH 12002 ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS I (KMCR) 5 Credit Hours 14 Semester Five ESCI 32066 GEOMORPHOLOGY 4 ESCI 34061 PRINCIPLES OF PALEONTOLOGY 4 ESCI 42035 or MATH 30011DATA ANALYSIS IN THE EARTH SCIENCES or BASIC PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS3 Kent Core Requirement 3 Credit Hours 14 Semester Six ESCI 31080 STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY 4 ESCI 40380 or ESCI 43040
or ESCI 43042BIOGEOCHEMISTRY or PRINCIPLES OF GEOCHEMISTRY
or ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY3 PHY 13001 GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS I (KBS) 4 PHY 13021 GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS LABORATORY I (KBS) (KLAB) 1 Kent Core Requirement 3 Credit Hours 15 Third Summer Term ESCI 41092 SUMMER FIELD CAMP (ELR) 6 Credit Hours 6 Semester Seven Environmental Geology Concentration Electives 6 General Electives 8 Credit Hours 14 Semester Eight ESCI 44070 SEDIMENTOLOGY AND STRATIGRAPHY 4 Environmental Geology Concentration Elective 3 General Electives 6 Credit Hours 13 Minimum Total Credit Hours: 120 -
Program Delivery
- Delivery:
- In person
- Location:
- Kent Campus
- Delivery:
About Our Concentration
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Environmental Geology
The Bachelor of Science in Geology features an optional Environmental Geology concentration designed to prepare students for impactful careers in the expanding field of environmental geology. This concentration offers specialized training in areas such as water resources, resource management, and energy resources. The curriculum emphasizes key topics including hydrology, hydrogeology, and advanced environmental monitoring techniques.
Advisors in Earth Sciences
Undergraduate Advisors
Field Camp Director
Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Geology - B.S.
Graduates of Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s B.S. Degree in Geology are well-prepared for diverse careers in environmental consulting, natural resource management, and geotechnical industries. The program’s hands-on approach, which includes fieldwork and laboratory analysis, equips students with a deep understanding of Earth processes and materials. Graduates often pursue roles such as environmental geologists, hydrogeologists, and petroleum geologists, contributing to fields like environmental sustainability, energy exploration, and hazard assessment.
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Geological and hydrologic technicians
5.5%
faster than the average
19,000
number of jobs
$50,630
potential earnings
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Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers
4.9%
about as fast as the average
31,800
number of jobs
$93,580
potential earnings
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Hydrologists
5.3%
faster than the average
7,000
number of jobs
$84,040
potential earnings
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Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' . Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.