UW-Madison Department of Geology and Geophysics

Information for Majors and Prospective Majors

Undergraduate Advisers (2007-2008)
Students may obtain advice from any of the listed advisers. Their areas of particular expertise are given for reference.

Basil Tikoff - Structural Geology & Tectonics 179 Weeks Hall 262-4678, basil@geology.wisc.edu
Mary Anderson - Hydrogeology 419 Weeks Hall 262-2396, andy@geology.wisc.edu
Philip Brown - Economic Geology, Mineralogy, Geochemistry 365 Weeks Hall 262-5954, pbrown@geology.wisc.edu
Kurt Feigl - Tectonic Applications of Geodesy, Geophysics A248 Weeks Hall 262-0176, feigl@geology.wisc.edu
Dana Geary - Paleontology 315 Weeks Hall 263-7754, dana@geology.wisc.edu

Studies in Geology and Geophysics
The complementary fields of geology and geophysics are combined in one interdisciplinary department, with graduate degrees offered in both disciplines. The undergraduate degree is in geology and geophysics.

Geology offers unusual opportunities to interweave knowledge from many disciplines in the study of natural Earth phenomena. Those who enjoy the challenge of integrating different kinds of information into a unified interpretation will find geology particularly satisfying. Most geology students enjoy travel and have a strong interest in the natural environment as it is today and as it has developed through the past 4.5 billion years. A natural capacity for historical and sequential thought, inductive reasoning, and three-dimensional perception is helpful, and these skills will be developed. Geological investigations are becoming increasingly quantitative and experimental, and thus require some computer experience and a strong foundation in chemistry, physics, and mathematics.

The student of geophysics is interested in developing a quantitative understanding of the structure and dynamics of the Earth's interior from the shallow crust to deep core. Courses in geophysics apply basic physical laws and processes, such as those governing gravity, magnetism, heat flow, and seismic wave propagation, to the study of the Earth. An undergraduate may choose to concentrate in geophysics, but professional employment in the field often requires an advanced degree. Most students who pursue advanced study and careers in geophysics major in geology, physics, mathematics, or engineering as undergraduates.

Careers
More than half of all professional geologists and geophysicists work in hydrogeology or the petroleum and mining industries. Such jobs involve an unusual breadth of training and personal adaptability, and the M.S. degree is generally required. About one fifth of all geoscientists work in state and federal geological surveys, and in government research activities such as oceanographic programs. These positions largely involve problems in geologic mapping, mineral resources, groundwater, and engineering. Geophysics offers opportunities in earthquake studies, seismic verification of nuclear test bans, and crustal rock characterization techniques for waste disposal and groundwater modeling. Many geology and geophysics students in our program continue on to obtain a Ph.D. degree and become faculty members at a college or university (see Geotimes, GSAToday, or EOS for academic job listings). A major in geology or geophyiscs is also appropriate for those interested in careers in elementary or secondary education, environmental policy, or environmental law. Faculty advisers can provide additional information on career opportunities.

Preparation for Graduate Study
An advanced degree is normally required for professional activity in geological and geophysical sciences; the student who contemplates such a degree should satisfy both departmental and Graduate School requirements for admission to graduate study.

Minimum requirements for admission to graduate work in geology or geophysics at most universities in the United States, including the University of Wisconsin-Madison, are:

A bachelor's degree in geology/geophysics or a related science
One year of college chemistry (1 Year High School plus Chemistry 109 recommended)
One year of college physics (Physics 207-208 recommended)
One year of calculus (Mathematics 221-222 recommended)
A summer field mapping course equivalent to Geology 459 (Park City, Utah)

All of the above, except the summer field mapping course, are therefore required for the major.

The Teaching Faculty

Mary Anderson	Hydrogeology
Jean Bahr	Hydrogeology
Phil Brown	Economic geology, mineralogy, and petrology
Charlie Byers	Paleoecology and stratigraphy
Alan Carroll	Sedimentary basin analysis, clastic sedimentology, organic geochemistry
Anders Carlson	Paleoclimatology, Quaternary, Glacial Geology
Chuck DeMets	Plate kinematics, aeromagnetics, and geodesy
Kurt Feigl	Tectonic Applications of Geodesy
John Fournelle	Volcanic petrology. Director of Microbeam Analysis Lab
Dana Geary	Paleobiology and evolutionary theory
Laurel Goodwin	Structural geology, fluid/fault interactions
Clark Johnson	Igneous petrology and isotope geochemistry
Clay Kelly	Paleobiology, paleontology, climate change
Dave Mickelson	Pleistocene geology and geomorphology
Shanan Peters	Sedimentary Geology and Paleobiology
Eric Roden	Geomicrobiology, biogeochemistry, microbial ecology
Nita Sahai	Aqueous & environmental geochemistry, theoretical geochemistry, mineral surface-water interactions
Joe Skulan	Vertebrate Paleontology
Brad Singer	Igneous petrology, geochemistry, geochronology
Richard Slaughter	Vertebrate Paleontology. Director of Geology Museum
Cliff Thurber	Seismology, tectonics, and theoretical geophysics
Basil Tikoff	Structural geology, tectonics, geophysics
Harold Tobin	Geophysics
John Valley	Metamorphic petrology and stable-isotope geochemistry
Herb Wang	Rock mechanics and geodynamics
Huifang Xu	Mineralogy and electron microscopy

Requirements for the Major -

Background requirements:
(GLE/Geology double majors note exceptions below)

A one-year course sequence in calculus (Mathematics 221-222 recommended; Mathematics 211-213, or any combination of calculus courses, including transfer credits, that totals at least 8 credits at the Intermediate level, are acceptable).
The equivalent of a one-year course sequence in General Chemistry (Chemistry 109 recommended; Chemistry 103-104, or any combination of general chemistry courses, including transfer credits, that totals at least 8 credits, are acceptable).
An equivalent of a one-year course sequence in General Physics that totals at least 8 credits (Physics 207-208 recommended; Physics 103-104, Physics 201-202, or any combination of general physics courses, including transfer credits, that totals at least 8 credits, are acceptable).

Requirements in the major:

34 credits in the major are required.

Only one 100 level class may count (must be Geol 100, 101, 106, or 109)

200 level series (Geol 202, 203, 204)

Two of the three 300 level series (Geol 302, 303, 304). The prerequisites for these courses are as follows: 302 (Prerequisites: Geol 202, 203), 303 (Prerequisites: Geol 203, 204), 304 (Prerequisite: Geol 204).

Any geology class numbered 320 or above may fulfill the remaining geology credit requirements.

Graduation requirement: 2.50 cumulative GPA in major.

Note: Students who declared a geology major prior to September 2001 are not subject to these requirements. Instead, they must complete 30 credits in geology and geophysics, including no more than 6 credits at the 100 level.

Qualifications:
Paleontology emphasis:
Paleontology emphasis: Students preparing to specialize in paleontology may, with approval of the Undergraduate Studies Committee, substitute Zoology 151-152 or other appropriate courses in biological sciences for the physics requirement.

Geology/Geological Engineering Majors:
Geological Engineers are required to take the Geology 202, 203, and 204. Geological Engineers are required to take only one of the 300 level sequence: Geology 302, 303, or 304. Additional required courses in geology & geophysics are: Geology 455, 475, 594, 595 and 627 (Note that Geology 475, 594, 595, and 627 are crosslisted with GLE.) Recommended geology electives are outlined in the GLE curriculum document (Geology 320, 411, 420, 421, 515, 629). Students who double major with GLE are allowed to substitute Engineering Mechanics 201-202 and a course in geophysics for 1^st semester physics.

Geophysics Majors:
Students preparing to specialize in geophysics should take an additional two semesters of math (e.g., 223 and 319, 320 or 321) and one additional semester of physics (e.g., 311, 321, 322 or 325).

Declaring a Major

To declare a major in geology or geophysics, students must meet with an Undergraduate Advisor and complete a Major Declaration Form.

Honors

Students interested in earning Honors in the Major should consult with the departmental Honors Adviser about requirements. Students should ordinarily declare to the department their intention to graduate with Honors in the Major at the end of their sophomore year or the start of their junior year and must receive permission from the departmental Honors Adviser before being admitted to the departmental Honors track.
Honors students are expected to complete a Senior Honors Thesis.* Appropriate background courses for the thesis should be chosen in consultation with the student's thesis adviser. To graduate with Honors in the Major, a student must maintain a GPA of 3.4 in all geology and geophysics courses.

*Note: It is possible to write a senior thesis without being in the honors program. Discuss this issue with a faculty member, if you are interested.

Programs of Study

Prospective majors are strongly encouraged to seek assistance from a faculty adviser in order to choose courses appropriate to their interests and career plans. Once a semester, immediately prior to registration, the undergraduate advisors will hold an advising day. For this entire day, a faculty member will be available for consultation. This will allow students to discuss next semester's schedule, as well as any other questions. Advisors will also be available by appointment at other times. Students are also encouraged to take advantage of orientation sessions, public lectures, and social events within the department. The following page shows the requirements for a geology major in a flowchart form. Connecting lines indicate prerequisites.

Click here for a flow chart of course requirements.