Program: Geological Sciences, B.A. in Applied Arts and Sciences - San Diego State University

May 21, 2025

2023/2024 University Catalog

(Major Code: 19141) (SIMS Code: 775311)

All candidates for a degree in applied arts and sciences must complete the graduation requirements listed in the section of this catalog on “Graduation Requirements .”

A minor is not required with this major.

Preparation for the Major

(24-29 units)

OCEAN 100 - The Ocean Planet Units: 4
or
GEOL 100 - Planet Earth Units: 3 and
GEOL 101 - Dynamics of the Earth Laboratory Units: 1
or
GEOL 101 - Dynamics of the Earth Laboratory Units: 1 and
GEOL 104 - Earth Science Units: 3
GEOL 200 - Geologic Inquiry and Problem Solving Units: 3
GEOL 205 - Historical Geology Units: 4

Two of the Following

MATH 150 and MATH 151 , or any two of the following:

ASTR 101 - Principles of Astronomy Units: 3
CS 100 - Computer Science Principles Units: 3
MATH 141 - Precalculus Units: 3
MATH 150 - Calculus I Units: 4
PHYS 180A - Fundamentals of Physics Units: 3
PHYS 195 - Principles of Physics Units: 3
PHYS 196 - Principles of Physics Units: 3
STAT 250 - Statistical Principles and Practices Units: 3

One of the Following Pairs

CHEM 200 - General Chemistry Units: 5 and
CHEM 201 - General Chemistry Units: 5
CHEM 100 - Introduction to General Chemistry with Laboratory Units: 4 and
BIOL 100 - General Biology Units: 3
or
BIOL 101 - World of Animals Units: 3
CHEM 200 - General Chemistry Units: 5 and
BIOL 100 - General Biology Units: 3
or
BIOL 101 - World of Animals Units: 3

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement

Completing one of the approved upper division writing courses (W) with a grade of C (2.0) or better. See “Graduation Requirements ” section for a complete listing of requirements.

Major

A minimum of 24 upper division units in approved courses to include

GEOL 303 - Natural Disasters Units: 3
GEOL 336 - Sedimentology and Lithostratigraphy Units: 3
GEOL 505 - Imaging and GIS in Disaster Response Units: 3
OCEAN 320 - Oceans of Change Units: 3

12 Additional Units Selected from

Students should consult with the undergraduate adviser in developing a program of study in support of career goals.

GEOL 301 - Geology of National Parks and Monuments Units: 3
GEOL 305 - Water and the Environment Units: 3
GEOL 306 - Structural Geology Units: 4
GEOL 324 - Petrology Units: 3
GEOL 412 - Processes and Inquiry in the Earth Sciences Units: 4
GEOL 496 - Selected Topics in Geology Units: 1-4
GEOL 499 - Special Study Units: 1-4
GEOL 505 - Imaging and GIS in Disaster Response Units: 3
GEOL 508 - Advanced Field Geology Units: 3
GEOL 514 - Process Geomorphology Units: 3
GEOL 521 - Petroleum Geology Units: 3
GEOL 530 - Geochemistry Units: 3
GEOL 550 - Engineering Geology Units: 3
GEOL 551 - Hydrogeology Units: 3
GEOL 560 - Earthquake Seismology Units: 3
GEOL 580 - Seismic Interpretation and 3D Visualization Units: 3
ANTH 302 - Principles of Archaeology Units: 3
ANTH 360 - From the Grave: Modern Forensic Anthropology Units: 3
ANTH 471 - Archaeology of North America Units: 3
BIOL 315 - Ecology and Human Impacts on the Environment Units: 3
BIOL 324 - Life in the Sea Units: 3
BIOL 327 - Conservation of Wildlife Units: 3
CHEM 300 - Forensic Science Units: 3
ECON 455 - Environmental Economics Units: 3
ECON 456 - Economics of Natural Resources Units: 3
ENV E 320 - Designing Solutions for Environmental Problems Units: 3
ENV E 355 - Environmental Engineering Units: 3
ENV S 301 - Energy and the Environment Units: 3
GEOG 370 - Conservation Science and Policy Units: 3
HIST 441 - Unnatural Disasters: History of Current Environmental Problems Units: 3
JMS 300 - Principles of Journalism Units: 3
JMS 440 - Management of Media Organizations Units: 3
JMS 494 - Media Law and Ethics Units: 3
POL S 334 - Politics of the Environment Units: 3 also listed as
SUSTN 334 - Politics of the Environment Units: 3
POL S 564 - Political Ecology of Latin America Units: 3
PHIL 332 - Environmental Ethics Units: 3 also listed as
SUSTN 332 - Environmental Ethics Units: 3
P A 320 - Introduction to Urban Planning Units: 3
P A 485 - Planning and Public Policy in U.S.-Mexico Border Region Units: 3
P H 304 - Environment and Public Health Units: 3
P H 331 - Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response Units: 3
RTM 305 - Wilderness and the Leisure Experience Units: 3
RTM 483 - Outdoor Education and Camp Administration Units: 3