WHY GEOSCIENCES?

Geologists are employed widely in environmental site characterization, in hydrologic assessment and remediation, in the petroleum, mining and mineral industries, and in geotechnical engineering. Geologists also are involved in basic research and teaching. Knowledge of geology is essential for understanding problems of groundwater supply, environmental hazards, geotechnical engineering and natural resources.

The FIU Earth Sciences Department offers a B.S. degree in Geosciences with a choice of tracks in Geological Sciences or Atmospheric Sciences (meteorology and climatology) and a broader-based interdisciplinary B.A. in Earth Sciences. Only grades of "C" or better will be accepted for required courses in either program option. A minor in geology is also available.

Well-equipped laboratories in the Earth Sciences Department allow students to learn the major techniques of the earth sciences. The Geological Sciences track of the Geosciences program prepares students to become licensed Professional Geologists (P.G.) in the State of Florida. Atmospheric Sciences track prepares student to be a Certified Meteorologist of the American Meteorological Society.

The Department of Earth Sciences undergraduate degree requirements have recently been revised to better meet the needs of our community.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN GEOSCIENCES

The department offers a B.S. degree in Geosciences, with a choice of tracks in either Geological or Atmospheric Sciences. This program is excellent preparation for those students who wish to pursue further graduate studies in the earth, atmospheric or environmental sciences

Degree Program Hours: 120

Lower Division

• CHM 1045 & 1045L General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Lab
• CHM 1046 & 1046L General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Lab
• GLY 1010 & 1010L Introduction to Earth Sciences and Introduction to Earth Sciences Lab (or GLY 3039& 3039L Environmental Geology  and Environmental Geology Lab)                
• MAC 2311 Calculus I
• MAC 2312 Calculus II

and either

• PHY 2048 & 2048L Physics with Calculus I and Physics with Calculus I Lab
• PHY 2049 & 2049L Physics with Calculus II and Physics with Calculus II Lab
  • or
• PHY 2053 & 2053L Physics without Calculus I and Physics without Calculus I Lab
• PHY 2054 & 2054L Physics without Calculus II and Physics without Calculus II Lab

For the Geological Sciences track

BSC 1011 & 1011L General Biology and General Biology Lab

For the Atmospheric Sciences track

• MAC 2313 Multivariate Calculus  
• MAP 2302 Differential Equations 

Upper Division (number of units in parenthesis)

Geosciences Essentials

• GLY 3202 Earth Materials ( 3) GLY 3202 Earth Materials Lab (1)
• GLY 3100  Earth Through Time* (3)
• GLY 4822  Introduction to Hydrogeology ( 3)
• MET 3003 General Meteorology (3)
• OCE  3014 Oceanography  (3) OCE  3014 Oceanography Lab (1)

Geological Sciences Track

This track is intended for students who wish to concentrate on the study of the solid Earth and hydrosphere. Prepares students for graduate work in geology or careers in management of resources and environment.

1. Choose three geology courses (with labs as necessary) from List 1 (12 credits).

2. Choose an additional 9 credits or more from either List 1 or List 2, at least three of which must be field experience.

Total Upper Division Hours:    38

Atmospheric Sciences Track

This track is for students who wish to concentrate on the study of the atmosphere.  Prepares students for graduate work or careers in weather and climate prediction.

1. Choose four meteorology courses (with labs as necessary) from List 1 (13 credits)

2. Choose an additional 9 credits or more from either List 1 or List 2.

Total Upper Division Hours:    38

List 1:  Track-specific Courses

• GLY 4300 Petrology (3); GLY 4300L Petrology Lab (1)
• GLY 4511  Stratigraphy (3); GLY 4511L  Stratigraphy  Lab (1)
• GLY 4400 Structural Geology  (3); GLY 4400L Structural Geology Lab ( 1)
• MET 3101 Physical Climatology  (3) or MET 4420 Physical Meteorology (3)
• MET 3502 Synoptic Meteorology (3); MET 3502 Synoptic Meteorology lab  (1)
• MET 4301 Dynamic Meteorology I (3)
• MET 4302 Dynamic Meteorology II ( 3)

List 2: Geo-elective courses

• GEO 3167 Applications of Geographic Information Systems  (3)
• GLY 3034 Natural Disasters ( 3)
• GLY 3157 Elements of Caribbean Geology (3)
• GLY 3670C Geological Map Analysis ( 3)
• GLY 3754 Remote Sensing in the Earth Sciences   ( 3)
• *GLY 3782 Geology Field Excursion   (3)
• *GLY 3881 Environmental Geology Field Methods  ( 3)
• GLY 4450 Environmental and Exploration Geophysics (3)
• GLY 4730 Marine Geology (3)
• *GLY 4791 Field geology and geologic mapping (3)
• GLY 4812 Introduction to Ore Deposits (3)
• GLY 4910 Undergraduate Research in Geology (3)
• GLY 4970 Geology Honors Thesis ( 3)
• GLY 4989L Geology Honors Research ( 1-3)
• GLY4650 Paleobiology Lab ( 1)
• GLY4650 Paleobiology  ( 3)
• MET 3300 Severe Weather (3)
• MET 4400 Instruments and Remote Sensing ( 3)
• MET 4532 Hurricanes

* Field experience  courses 

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN EARTH SCIENCES

The Bachelor of Arts is for the student who requires a broad background in geology for a career in science education or public or private administration dealing with Earth and Environmental Sciences.

Degree Program Hours: 120

MINOR in GEOLOGY

The Minor in Geology provides additional course work and preparation in Geology for students in fields such as Education, Engineering, Environmental Studies, and Natural Sciences.

Requirements:

At least 17 hours of Earth Science/ Geology courses which must include the following:

• GLY 1010 or GLY 3030 and GLY1100 with Labs or GLY 3039 and GLY 3039L Environmental Geology and Lab
• GLY 1100 and GLY 1100L Historical Geology and Lab or GLY 11010 and GLY 11010L History of Life
• GLY 3032 and GLY 3032L Earth Materials
• Additional 8 credits in earth science/ geology courses at the 3000 or 4000 level.

LIST OF UNDERGRADUATE COURSES

FIU Geosciences Undergraduate Catalog

---

More FIU Student Information