Undergraduate Program and Requirements
Our degree programs will prepare you for a career in Earth and environmental science or for advanced study (in geology or another field). We offer the following Bachelor of Science/Arts degrees:
We also offer the following minors and secondary programs:
Each link above provides a list of the courses you will need to take for that option. In addition to those courses, you will also need to satisfy the College of Arts and Sciences B.S./B.A. basic degree requirements if you are working toward a B.S./B.A. degree in Geology. Note that the details provided in these links reflect the current Geology curriculum requirements (as of May 2015). If you became a Geology major prior to May 2019, your curriculum requirements may be different. Please ask your Undergraduate Academic Advisor if you are unsure.
Transfer students - if you will attend community college before transferring to K-State, guidance on coursework you can take prior to transferring is provided in the undergraduate catalog program description ( Loading... ). Completion of some of those courses prior to your admittance to K-State will help you make rapid progress on your Geology degree once you arrive.
Advising
To help you navigate and complete your undergraduate degree, please contact and meet with your Undergraduate Academic Advisor in the Department of Geology: Colleen Gura . If you have not yet been assigned an advisor or wish to talk to one about any of our degree programs, please contact Hunter Rose (785-532-6724), for assistance.
Important schedule information: majors courses are not offered every semester and many have prerequisites. Your adviser can help you plan an appropriate schedule. The current major course rotation is summarized in the table below. You can can view a more comprehensive course schedule for upcoming semesters here.
Environmental Science Majors
The Department of Geology offers an interdisciplinary Environmental Science degree through a partnership with the K-State Department of Agronomy, Division of Biology, and the Department of Geography and Geospatial Sciences. Additional information about the degree program is available on the K-State Environmental Science Program website .
Geology Majors
Geology majors can select among three learning tracks that position them to work on some of society's most important problems, including issues related to water, sustainability, and production of energy and water resources:
Geology track
Explores the spectrum of Earth sciences, from fossils to volcanoes. Prepares students for a wide range of career options, whether that is in the environmental, energy or mining industries; government; academia; and more. For this track, students select one elective from each elective category listed below (I, II, and III) plus one from any elective group.
Energy and Natural Resources track
Focused on exploration and extraction of energy and mineral resources. Great choice for students interested in working in the oil and gas industry or mining industry. For this track, students select one elective from group I, two from group II, and one additional course from any elective group. Note - this track is referred to as the Petroleum Geosciences track in the K-State undergraduate catalog.
Environmental Geosciences track
Focused on processes that shape the landscape and control the quality and availability of water and soil resources. Ideal for students interested in working in the environmental industry. For this track, students elect one elective from group I, two from group III, and one additional course from any elective.