Print this page."I love rocks... they're interesting. The soil and rocks all tell a story."
- Vincent Kull, '10
About the Program
Geologists study the structure, composition, and history of the earth’s crust to find and manage natural resources, provide warnings of natural disasters, and determine whether land will support large buildings or structures. The Department of Geological Sciences offers three majors leading to the BS degree: a general major, an intensive major, and a geophysics major. The intensive and geophysics majors are designed for students who plan to pursue graduate study in geology, geophysics, or the related sciences; the general major is not recommended for these students. Those students requiring professional certification are advised to pursue the intensive major.
Career Opportunities
An undergraduate degree in geology provides an excellent foundation for many careers. Some positions require graduate study. Here are a few of your career options:
• geologist and geophysicist
• hydrologist
• natural resource conservation and management
• environmental careers
• teaching and research
• positions in state, federal, local, and private agencies
The University Career Center is available to assist you in choosing a career direction and in increasing your marketability upon graduation. For additional information, call the center at 803-777-7280.
Admission/Progression Requirements
To be admitted into the College of Arts and Sciences and the Department of Geological Sciences, you must meet all University admissions requirements, including (for freshmen) a completed application, nonrefundable application fee, high-school record complete up to the time of application (including record of at least 20 academic units of study earned as required by the University), and entrance examination scores (either SAT or ACT). Details for all applicant categories can be found in the Undergraduate Bulletin. To remain in your degree program, you must make satisfactory academic progress toward your degree. In order to be eligible for graduation, you must meet all course requirements for your degree program, be in good standing, meet any departmental or program requirements, and have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00.
Program of Study (128 hours)
If you wish to pursue a general major in geology or an intensive major in geology, you must complete from 43 to 54 hours of general education requirements. Your general education requirements will include courses such as Introduction to the Earth, Rocks and Minerals, General Chemistry, General Physics I, and Calculus I. If you pursue the geophysics major, your courses will include general education and cognate requirements such as Environment of the Earth, Essentials of Physics I, and Elementary Differential Equations. Your major requirements will vary, depending on whether you are pursuing a general major in geology, an intensive major in geology, an intensive major in geology with a concentration in environmental geosciences or marine geology, or a geophysics major.Your cognate requirements will also vary, depending on your major and concentration, and your studies will be rounded out with College of Arts and Sciences electives.
Of Special Interest
Our faculty members are involved in leading research projects and have received acclaim for their expertise in coastal dynamics, stable isotopes, petrology, image analysis, chemical and physical oceanography, seismology, basin analysis, international geological studies, and coal geology. In conjunction with the U.S. Geological Survey, our department also maintains a seismic network to study and measure the low-level earthquake activity prevalent in South Carolina. Our department houses 14 laboratories and substantial field equipment, including an electron microprobe, two stable isotope mass spectrometers, an X-ray diffractometer, and platform-mounted drill rigs.Our department sponsors the gem and mineral exhibit housed in McKissick Museum on the historic Horseshoe. This permanent exhibit contains one of the oldest collections of minerals, gems, and meteorites in the United States.