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2022/2023 University Catalog 
    
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2022/2023 University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Geological Sciences

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OFFICE: Geology/Mathematics/Computer Science 237
TELEPHONE: 619-594-5586 / FAX: 619-594-4372
E-MAIL: geology@sdsu.edu
WEBSITE: http://www.geology.sdsu.edu

Faculty

Interim Chair: Schellenberg, Stephen A., Professor of Geological Sciences (B.A., M.S., University of South Florida; Ph.D., University of Southern California)

The Rollin and Caroline Eckis Chair in Seismology: Olsen, Kim Bak, Professor of Geological Sciences, The Rollin and Caroline Eckis Chair in Seismology (B.S., M.S., University Aarhus, Denmark; Ph.D., University of Utah)

Tenured and Tenure-Track Faculty:

Frost, Eric G., Professor of Geological Sciences, Co-Director of Homeland Security Program (A.B., University of Washington; M.S., University of Arizona; Ph.D., University of Southern California.)

Kimbrough, David L., Professor of Geological Sciences (B.S., University of California, Santa Cruz; Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara)

Ma, Shuo, Associate Professor of Geological Sciences (B.S., Tongji University, China; M.S., Colorado School of Mines; Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara)

Maloney, Jillian M., Associate Professor of Geological Sciences (B.S., University of Southern California; Ph.D., University of California, San Diego)

Almeida, Rafael, Assistant Professor of Geological Sciences (B.S., Universidad de Los Andes, Venezuela; M.S., Texas A & M University; Ph.D., Geology, Columbia University)

Bova, Samantha, Assistant Professor of Geological Sciences (B.A., Earth and Washington University in St. Louis; M.S. and Ph.D., Brown University)

Weingarten, Matthew, Assistant Professor of Geological Sciences (B.A., University of Wisconsin, Madison; Ph.D., University of Colorado, Boulder)

Research Professor: Hanan, Barry B., (B.S., University of Kansas; M.S., Ph.D., Virginia Tech)

Visiting Professor: Foster, Anna (B.A., Marist College; M.A., M.Phil.,Ph.D., Columbia University)

Lecturers:

Robinson, Kevin L., M.A., Geological Sciences

Sacramento-McJilton, Isabelle, M.S., Geological Sciences

Emeritus:

Abbott, Patrick L., Ph.D., 1971-2003, Professor of Geological Sciences

Bertine, Kathe K., Ph.D., 1973-2000, Professor of Geological Sciences

Day, Steven M., Ph.D., 1988-2015, The Rollin and Caroline Eckis Chair in Seismology; Professor of Geological Sciences

Dorman, Clive E., Ph.D., 1974-2006, Professor of Geological Sciences

Girty, Gary H., Ph.D., 1984-2015, Professor of Geological Sciences [Senate Distinguished Professor]

Jiracek, George R., Ph.D., 1980-2004, Professor of Geological Sciences

Kern, Philip J., Ph.D., 1968-1994, Professor of Geological Sciences

Krummenacher, Daniel, Ph.D., 1968-1988, Professor of Geological Sciences

Marshall, C. Monte, Ph.D., 1975-2001, Professor of Geological Sciences

Miller, Richard H., Ph.D., 1977-2001, Professor of Geological Sciences

Peterson, Gary L., Ph.D., 1963-2007, Professor of Geological Sciences

Rockwell, Thomas K., Ph.D., 1983-2019, Professor of Geological Sciences

Thorbjarnarson, Kathryn W., Ph.D., 1991-2021, Associate Professor of Geological Sciences

Wallace, William J., Ph.D., 1969-2001, Associate Professor of Geological Sciences and Physics

Undergraduate Information

Geological Sciences

The Rollin and Caroline Eckis Chair in Seismology

A gift from Rollin and Caroline Eckis, combined with matching funds from the Atlantic Richfield Company and contributions from SDSU faculty and staff, established The Rollin and Caroline Eckis Chair in Seismology at SDSU. The late Rollin Eckis was former president of Richfield Oil Company and vice chairman of the board of Atlantic Richfield Company.

The first appointee to the chair, Dr. Steven M. Day, conducts research on the mechanics of earthquakes and earthquake hazards. The current appointee, Dr. Kim Bak Olsen, conducts research on seismic wave propagation as well as earthquake source description and hazards.

The Major

Geological sciences is the study of the earth, its past, present, and future. Geoscientists apply basic physical, chemical, and biological principles to understand current processes at the earth’s surface and deep interior, and how these have evolved throughout Earth’s history. They study topics such as earthquakes, biogeochemical cycles, climate, rock and mineral properties, and paleobiology. The work of geoscientists is important for addressing major societal issues, including sustainable resource management, climate change, environmental pollution, and natural disasters from earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and coastal subsidence.

Students who are curious about the planet on which we live, challenged by environmental problems facing humankind, and intrigued by a subject which combines both the arts and applied science, should consider the geological sciences as a major. Job prospects are diverse and job growth is expected to follow broader trends from 2020 through 2039, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Many job openings are expected in environmental consulting, resource management, engineering, and research. Job opportunities should be excellent for geoscientists who graduate with a master’s degree. Most new jobs will be in management, scientific, and geotechnical consulting services. Many government agencies, including the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the California Department of Conservation, and regional planning offices hire geoscientists.

The department offers two undergraduate degree options:

  • The Bachelor of Science degree is designed for students who intend to become professional geologists and/or those who plan to attend graduate school in geosciences. The program includes courses normally expected of graduate school applicants and prepares students for the examination for professional geologic registration licensing.
  • The Bachelor of Arts degree is designed for students who seek a degree in the geological sciences as a foundation for careers in a variety of areas. This option leverages the strongly interdisciplinary socially relevant aspects of the geosciences. The B.A. program includes a broad spectrum of courses, and focuses both on information about the earth and on how society makes decisions that affect the earth system. The Bachelor of Arts degree in Applied Arts and Sciences meets the requirements of the California Community College Associate in Science (AS-T) in Geology for Transfer degree students completing the Transfer Model Curriculum (TMC).
Impacted Program

The geological sciences major and emphases are impacted programs. To be admitted to the geological sciences major or an emphasis, students must meet the following criteria:

  1. Complete preparation for the major;
  2. Complete a minimum of 60 transferable semester units;
  3. Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.

To complete the major, students must fulfill the degree requirements for the major described in the catalog in effect at the time they are accepted into the premajor at SDSU (assuming continuous enrollment).

Major Academic Plans (MAPs)

Visit http://www.sdsu.edu/mymap for the recommended courses needed to fulfill your major requirements. The MAPs website was created to help students navigate the course requirements for their majors and to identify which General Education course will also fulfill a major preparation course requirement.

Environmental Sciences

The Major

Environmental sciences is an interdisciplinary program leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in applied arts and sciences. The program will provide the student with a rigorous and broad foundation in those sciences most relevant to environmental issues. While the focus is on the physical environmental sciences, some coursework is required in biology, computer science, geography, and statistics. Those students wishing to concentrate more on the biological aspects of the environment, should consider the ecology emphasis offered by the Department of Biology.

Upon completion of the degree, students will be prepared to understand and contribute to a broad range of environmental problems confronting society. This major should be especially attractive to students who wish a broader background in the environmental sciences than is easily offered by individual departments. The major will prepare the student for employment in diverse situations in the dynamic and ever-changing environmental science job market. It will also be an excellent undergraduate major for students planning to go on to graduate school in any of the environmental sciences.

Advising

Students are required to meet with the undergraduate adviser in order to declare the major. Students wishing to major in environmental sciences are urged to meet with the adviser during their first semester.

Impacted Program

The environmental sciences major is an impacted program. To be admitted to the environmental sciences major, students must meet the following criteria:

  1. Complete preparation for the major;
  2. Complete a minimum of 60 transferable semester units;
  3. Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.

To complete the major, students must fulfill the degree requirements for the major described in the catalog in effect at the time they are accepted into the premajor at SDSU (assuming continuous enrollment).

Major Academic Plans (MAPs)

Visit http://www.sdsu.edu/mymap for the recommended courses needed to fulfill your major requirements. The MAPs website was created to help students navigate the course requirements for their majors and to identify which General Education course will also fulfill a major preparation course requirement.

Oceanography Minor

The Oceanography minor is designed for students with an extensive background in the natural sciences and requires a minimum of 15-16 upper division units. Courses in the minor may not be counted toward the major, but may be used to satisfy preparation for the major and general education requirements, if applicable. A minimum of six upper division units must be completed in residence at San Diego State University.

Graduate Information

The Rollin and Caroline Eckis Chair in Seismology

A gift from Rollin and Caroline Eckis, combined with matching funds from the Atlantic Richfield Company and contributions from SDSU faculty and staff, established The Rollin and Caroline Eckis Chair in Seismology at SDSU. The late Rollin Eckis was former president of Richfield Oil Company and vice chairman of the board of Atlantic Richfield Company.

The first appointee to the chair, Dr. Steven M. Day, conducts research on the mechanics of earthquakes and earthquake hazards. The current appointee, Dr. Kim Bak Olsen, conducts research on seismic wave propagation as well as earthquake source description and hazards.

Associateships

Graduate teaching associateships in geological sciences are available to a limited number of qualified students. Application forms and additional information may be secured from the graduate adviser of the department. The program is designed to (1) prepare students for careers in consulting, domestic and multinational firms, and government agencies, (2) provide students with university-level teaching experience and access to community college teaching positions, and (3) provide advanced training in the earth sciences for students planning on entering a Ph.D. program.

Master’s Degree Program

General Information

The Department of Geological Sciences offers graduate study leading to the Master of Science degree in geological sciences. The program emphasizes research and an advanced set of courses. Faculty research activities comprise a broad spectrum of expertise, including both theoretical and applied interests. Opportunities exist for integrated field and laboratory research. The department is equipped to support research in geophysics, groundwater hydrology, marine geology, and geochemistry as well as the classic areas of mineralogy, petrology, structural geology, stratigraphy and paleontology. Laboratories devoted to geochronology, isotopes, clay mineral analysis, soils, paleomagnetism, and whole rock analysis, as well as the Allison Center (paleontology), support the graduate research program.

The San Diego area enjoys a mild climate which permits year round field activity. An interesting and diverse geological environment provides many opportunities for research in the local area. Many graduate students are supported in their work by grants and contracts from government and industry.

Admission to Graduate Study for M.S. Degree

All students must satisfy the general requirements for admission to classified graduate standing as described in Admission and Registration . In addition, all students should satisfy the following requirements in order to achieve classified standing and enroll in graduate courses.

  1. Have preparation in geological sciences, mathematics, chemistry, and physics deemed equivalent to the bachelor’s degree in geological sciences at San Diego State University. Candidates whose preparation is deemed insufficient by the master’s program committee will be required to complete specified courses in addition to the minimum 30 units required for the degree. Undergraduate grade point average should be at least 2.5, with a 2.85 in the last 60 units.
  2. Have successfully completed all courses listed as deficiencies.
  3. Have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in any courses taken as a post baccalaureate student at San Diego State University.

Students applying for admission should electronically submit the university application available at http://www.calstate.edu/apply along with the application fee.

All applicants must submit admissions materials separately to SDSU Graduate Admissions and to the Department of Geological Sciences.

Graduate Admissions

The following materials should be submitted as a complete package directly to:

Graduate Admissions
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA 92182-8225

  1. Official transcripts (in sealed envelopes) from all postsecondary institutions attended;

    NOTE:
    • Students who attended SDSU need only submit transcripts for work completed since last attendance.
    • Students with international coursework must submit both the official transcript and proof of degree. If documents are in a language other than English, they must be accompanied by a certified English translation.
    • Electronic transcripts are acceptable. If students are required to provide an email address to send the secure online document to SDSU, please use transcriptsforsdsu@sdsu.edu.
  2. English language score, if medium of instruction was in a language other than English (http://www.ets.org SDSU institution code 4682).

Department of Geological Sciences
The following materials should be mailed or delivered to:

Department of Geological Sciences
(Attention: Graduate Adviser)
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182-1020

  1. Department application available at: https://geology.sdsu.edu/ms/applicants/
  2. Two letters of reference.

All student applications are evaluated competitively and no fixed numerical standards automatically qualify or disqualify a student for graduate study in the Department of Geological Sciences. Students will be admitted on the basis of merit in relation to space and faculty availability.

Doctoral Program

The San Diego State University (SDSU)-University of California San Diego (UCSD) Joint Doctoral Program (JDP) in Geophysics, with emphasis in Earthquake Science and Applied Geophysics, is a relatively new program between SDSU and Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO), UCSD, with the first students starting in the Fall of 2010. The emphasis of the program is Earthquake Science and Applied Geophysics, combining strengths from SIO (geodesy, remote sensing, and observational seismology) and SDSU (earthquake geology, rupture dynamics, and computational, strong motion, and reflection seismology). The collective strength of earthquake science and applied geophysics makes the JDP stand out as a unique PhD program in the US. The JDP students start out by taking the same core curriculum courses as the SIO PhD students during their first year, after which they closely work with their SDSU/SIO (co-)advisors on research projects. All graduates from the program hold positions at federal research institutions (e.g., U.S. Geological Survey), prominent universities (e.g., University of Southern California), or private tech companies (e.g., Microsoft, Google). 

WEBSITE: http://sci.sdsu.edu/geology/jdp/opportunity/

Programs

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