Geology Prerequisite Course Map

Geological Engineering Prerequisite Course Map

Geological Engineering, College of Engineering

Undergraduate Course Listing

Undergraduate Catalog

Undergraduate Advisors (1999-2000) Students may obtain advice from any of the listed advisers. Their areas of particular expertise are given for reference.
Name	Interest Areas	Room
Jill Banfield	Minerology and Geomicrobiology	Rm 315 Weeks Phone: 262-0915 email: jill@geology.wisc.edu
Alan Carroll	Sedimentology, Paleontology, organic geochemistry	Rm 483 Weeks Phone: 262-2368 email: carroll@geology.wisc.edu
David Mickelson	Glacial geology, geomorphology, environmental geology, hydrogeology	Rm 256B Weeks Phone: 262-7863 email: davem@geology.wisc.edu
Basil Tikoff	Structural geology and tectonics	Rm 179 Weeks Phone: 262-4678 email: basil@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, particularly in fields such as geochemistry and hydrogeology, 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. The theory of plate tectonics provides a unifying concept for understanding the earth's dynamic behavior. An undergraduate may choose to concentrate in geophysics, but professional employment in the field requires an advanced degree. Most students who pursue advanced study and careers in geophysics major in physics, mathematics, engineering, or geology 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 increasing opportunities in earthquake studies, seismic verification of nuclear test bans, and crustal rock characterization techniques for waste disposal and groundwater modeling. Many geology students continue on to obtain a Ph.D. degree and become faculty members at a college or university. A geology major 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)   A bachelor's degree in geology/geophysics or a related science
b)   One year of college chemistry (Chemistry 109-110 recommended)
c)   One year of college physics (Physics 207-208 recommended)
d)   One year of calculus (Mathematics 221-222 recommended)
e)   A summer field mapping course equivalent to Geology 459 (Park City,
Utah)

The Teaching Faculty

Requirements for the Major

a)   30 credits in geology and geophysics 
     (including no more than 6 credits at the 100 level).

b)   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.

c)   A one-year course sequence in chemistry 
     Chemistry 109-110 recommended; Chemistry 103-104, 
     or any combination of general chemistry courses, including tranfer credits, 
     that totals at least 8 credits, are acceptable.

d)   A one-year course sequence in physics 
     Physics 207-208 recommended; Physics 103-104, Physcis 201-202, 
     or any combination of general physics courses, including transfer credits, 
     that totals at least 8 credits, are acceptable.  

     GLE students are allowed to subsitute Engineering Mechanics 201-202 
     and a course in geophysics for 1st semester physics.

Declaring a Major

To declare a major in geology, a student must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 in 10 or more credits taken in the department and must have satisfied part one of the College of Letters and Science expository English requirement.

Certification of proficiency in expository English

Completion of this requirement is certified by the department on the basis of satisfactory performance on written assignments in intermediate and advanced courses in the major. Faculty are directed to identify students who need remedial work in composition.

Honors

Students interested in earning Honors in the Major should consult with the departmental Honors Advisor 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 must complete the following sequence of courses: Geology 201, 360, 370, 455, 456, 457, 681-682 (Senior Honors Thesis); in addition, two specialized courses (at least 6 credits total) must be completed in preparation for the Honors Thesis. These courses must be at the 300 level or above and will be chosen in consultation with the student's prospective Thesis adviser. Finally, students must also complete a one-credit research seminar. To graduate with Honors in the Major, a student must maintain a GPA of 3.4 in the entire Honors course sequence.

Programs of Study

No specific courses are required for the geology major. However, prospective majors are strongly encouraged to seek assistance from a faculty adviser in order to choose courses appropriate to their interests and career plans.

A guide to departmental offerings that shows normal sequences of courses appears on the next page. Connecting lines show prerequisites. For example, students may take Geology 201 after having had Geology 100 or Geology 101 or Geology 105; to go on to Geology 455 or Geology 456 they must also have had Geology 370. Bold-faced numbers indicate courses required for each respective program.

Geology Prerequisite Course Map

Geological Engineering Prerequisite Course Map