Bachelor of Science in Geology
California State University, Fresno
Key Information
Campus location
Fresno, USA
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
4 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
USD 16,089 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
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* with additional fees and living expenses, the overall annual cost is around $28,584
Scholarships
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Introduction
Do you want to have a career that has a positive impact and helps your community? A major in geosciences prepares you for a career where you can explore, understand, and monitor the earth to protect it and the people who live on it. Geology is an interdisciplinary discipline, integrating principles of physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics, as well as quantitative and critical thinking skills, to address geological and environmental challenges. The Bachelor of Science in Geology prepares students for employment in petroleum geology, mineral exploration, land-use planning, environmental assessment, hydrology, and engineering geology, or for teaching earth science or physical science at the secondary level.
Coursework and research emphasize field and laboratory investigations of the environment and its geological context and history. We take advantage of the university's proximity to the Sierra Nevadas, the California Coast Ranges, coastal California, and the desert provinces. Our unique location gives faculty and students access to an unparalleled outdoor laboratory, all within short trips from the university. Every student has an opportunity to complete a research project before they graduate. The department's close relationship with state agencies and the private sector enables many students to pursue internships or part-time employment in geologic and environmental work while they complete their degrees.
Program Outcome
What You Can Learn
- Applied skills for employment in a wide variety of career paths (policy, planning, governmental monitoring, restoration, consulting, petroleum)
- Quantitative approaches and solutions to environmental challenges
- Improve critical thinking skills and their application to scientific questions and approaches
Curriculum
1. Major requirements (51 units)
Lower-division requirements: EES 1, EES 2, EES 12, and EES 30 (13 units)
Upper-division requirements: EES 100, EES 101, EES 102, EES 104W, EES 106, EES 107, 178, 199; two of the following: EES 105, EES 110, EES 122; one of the following: EES 114, EES 117, EES 118, EES 124 (35 units)
Upper-division geology elective (see Note 2) (3 units)
Additional requirements (22 units)
CHEM 1A, CHEM 1AL, CHEM 1B, CHEM 1BL, MATH 75; PHYS 2A, PHYS 2B or PHYS 4A, PHYS 4AL, PHYS 4B and PHYS 4BL
2. General Education requirements (48 units)*
3. Other requirements (9 units)*
American Government and Institutions (PLSI 2), Multicultural and International (MI), and Upper-division writing. Note: Geology majors take EES 104W to fulfill the Upper-Division Writing requirement.
4. Sufficient elective units to meet required total units (varies); may be used toward a double major or minor
5. Total units (120)*
* G.E. courses can be double-counted with major requirements. Of the 48 required General Education units, 9 units of G.E. will be satisfied by the following courses: 3 units of CHEM 1A/1AL in G.E. Breadth B1, 3 units of MATH 75 in G.E. Foundation B4, and EES 102 GE Area IB. Consult the department chair or advisor for details.
Career Opportunities
What You Can Earn
- Geologist I
$61,000 (in this region) - Petroleum Geologist II
$94,000 (in this region) - Environmental Consultant (entry-level)
$65,000 (in this region) - Environmental Manager
$101,507 (in this region) - Air Quality Specialist
$60,000-84,000 (CA State Position, this region)
Source: Qualified job postings as of February 2021