Geology
(GEL)
For information, please contact
David Matty, Chairperson,
774-3179, 314 Brooks Hall
Department
Website
Why
Study Geology?
Geology at CMU
Geology Major -Core
Geology Major - B.S. Option A
Geology Major - B.A. and
B.S. Option B
Environmental Studies
Major
Geology Minor
Hydrogeology/Environmental
Geology Minor
Environmental Studies
Minor
The Faculty
GEL Course
Descriptions
Why Study Geology?
Geology is the scientific study of Earth. Geoscientists
investigate Earth and its history in order to discover
resources, assess pollution, and evaluate natural hazards
and other Earth processes that affect our lives.
Geoscientists find employment in many areas that are
indispensable to our society. Geologists locate mineral
deposits and energy resources. They find, evaluate, and
manage water supplies. They ensure that wastes are stored or
disposed of safely. They monitor soil and ground water
pollution and are involved in cleaning up contaminated
sites. They evaluate environmental hazards for city,
highway, and pipeline planners. They serve as public policy
advisors. They study the formation of rocks, the movements
of continents, the flow of glaciers, and the rise and fall
of sea levels. They study fossils and the history of life.
They contribute to the understanding and prediction of
natural hazards and disasters, such as earthquakes,
landslides, volcanic eruptions, coastal erosion, and floods.
Geoscientists work outdoors, in laboratories, in offices,
and as teachers.
Geology majors and minors are also good supplements to other
majors, such as environmental studies, outdoor recreation,
natural resources, education, business, and pre-law. And
geology courses are helpful to students interested in
fossils, gems, minerals, earthquakes, volcanoes, and
resources..
Geology
at CMU
The geology program at CMU offers majors and minors to suit
a variety of interests and needs. The department offers
excellent facilities to support field work and
laboratory-based research. All geology majors participate in
field trips and research projects, both as required
components of classes and as optional adventures. The small
size of the department provides students an outstanding
educational experience including close interaction with
faculty.
The geology major emphasizes mastery of the basics required
for success as a professional geoscientist: a strong
foundation of geologic knowledge and the development of
skills related to observation, field and laboratory
projects, critical-thinking, computer use and technical
writing. This rigorous course of study serves as excellent
preparation for graduate education or for a career in the
geosciences.
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Majors
Geology
Major
B.A.,
B.S. degrees
Core
1. Any one of the following sequences of Introductory
Geology with laboratory (3-4 hours):
A) GEL 101 (3) Physical Geology AND GEL 102 (1)
Physical Geology Laboratory
B) GEL 105 (3) Environmental Geology AND GEL 102 (1)
Physical Geology Laboratory
C) GEL 100 (3) Introduction to Earth Systems
D) GEL 130 (3) Earth Processes
2. Major Courses (25 hours)
GEL 201 (3) Earth History
GEL 290 (3) Introduction to Geologic Investigation
GEL 310 (4) Introductory Mineralogy
GEL 321 (4) Petrology
GEL 370 (3) Structural Geology
GEL 440 (3) Stratigraphy and Sedimentology
GEL 450 (5) Geology Field Camp
B.S.
Option A
This option is a pregraduate/preprofessional option for
students who plan to attend graduate school, work in the
petroleum industry, enter the field of hydrogeology or
environmental geology, or enter some other professional
field. Students may opt for either the geology major or the
hydrogeology/environmental geology concentration. A minor is
not required for this option. Students electing either
selection within option A must also complete the core
courses.
Geology
Major
GEL 430 (3) Invertebrate Paleontology
GEL 372 (3) Introduction to Geophysics OR
GEL 380 (3) Hydrogeology OR
GEL 460 (3) Geochemistry
GEL 406 (3) Senior Thesis
GEL 575 (1) Special Studies in Geology
MTH 132 (4) Calculus I AND
MTH 133 (4) Calculus II OR
MTH 136 (5) Calculus I/Scientists & Engineers AND
MTH 137 (5) Calculus II/Scientists & Engineers
CHM 131 (4) Introduction to Chemistry I AND
CHM 132 (4) Introduction to Chemistry II OR
CHM 161 (5) Principles of Chemistry
PHY 130 (4) College Physics I AND
PHY 170 (1) Lab OR
PHY 145 (4) University Physics I AND
PHY 175 (1) Lab
PHY 131 (4) College Physics II AND
PHY 171 (1) Lab OR
PHY 146 (4) University Physics II AND
PHY 176 (1) Lab
3 semester hours of approved 300+ electives excluding GEL
301, GEL 304, and GEL 320
Total: 64-70 semester hours
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Hydrogeology/Environmental
Geology Concentration
GEL 372 (3) Introduction to Geophysics
GEL 380 (3) Hydrogeology
GEL 402 (3) Environmental Geochemistry
GEL 406 (3) Senior Thesis
GEL 413 (3) Geomorphology
GEL 575 (1) Special Studies in Geology
MTH 132 (4) Calculus I AND
MTH 133 (4) Calculus II AND
MTH 223 (3) Linear Algebra and Matrix Theory OR
STA 382 (3) Elementary Statistical Analysis
CHM 131 (4) Introduction to Chemistry I AND
CHM 132 (4) Introduction to Chemistry II OR
CHM 161 (5) Principles of Chemistry
CHM 342 (4) Survey of Organic Chemistry OR
CHM 345 (3) Organic Chemistry I
3
semester hours of electives selected from the following:
all 300-level or higher GEL courses except 301, 304, 320
CHM 346 (3) Organic Chemistry II
ESC 310 (3) Surface Hydrology
GEO 303 (3) Computer Cartography and GIS
MTH 334 (3) Differential Equations
STA 382 (3) Elementary Statistical Analysis
Total:
65-71 semester hours, 4 hours of prerequisites (PHY 130)
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B.A. and B.S. Option B
This option is designed for students who desire the
curricular freedom of selecting a minor. Students choose
between a geology major or hydrogeology/environmental
concentration. With an appropriate minor, this curriculum
will adequately prepare a student for graduate school or a
career in the geological or environmental sciences. In
addition to the core curriculum, students are required to
take:
Geology
Major
GEL 430 (3) Invertebrate Paleontology
GEL 372 (3) Introduction to Geophysics OR
GEL 380 (3) Hydrogeology OR
GEL 460 (3) Geochemistry
3 semester hours of approved 300+ electives excluding GEL
301, GEL 304, and GEL 320
Total:
37-38 semester hours, 8-12 hours of prerequisites (CHM
131; MTH 132; PHY 130)
Hydrogeology/Environmental
Geology Concentration
GEL 372 (3) Introduction to Geophysics
GEL 380 (3) Hydrogeology
GEL 402 (3) Environmental Geochemistry OR
GEL 460 (3) Geochemistry OR
GEL 575 (3) Special Studies in Geology
3
semester hours of electives selected from the following:
CHM 342 (4) Survey of Organic Chemistry
CHM 345 (3) Organic Chemistry I
ESC 310 (3) Surface Hydrology
GEL 413 (3) Geomorphology
GEO 303 (3) Computer Cartography and GIS
STA 382 (3) Elementary Statistical Analysis
Total:
40-41 semester hours, 12 hours of prerequisites (CHM
131, MTH 132, PHY 130)
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Environmental
Studies Major
B.A.,
B.S. degrees
This is an interdisciplinary major. Please check the
Interdepartmental and Interdisciplinary Majors and Minors
section.
Minors
Geology
Minor
B.A.,
B.A.A., B.S. degrees
Required
Courses (12-13 hours):
1. Any one of the following sequences of Introductory
Geology with laboratory:
A. GEL 101 (3) Physical Geology AND
GEL 102 (1) Physical Geology Laboratory
B. GEL 105 (3) Environmental Geology AND
GEL 102 (1) Physical Geology
Laboratory
C. GEL 100 (3) Introduction to Earth Systems
D. GEL 130 (3) Earth Processes
2. GEL 201 (3) Earth History
3. GEL 290 (3) Introduction to Geologic Investigation
4. GEL 320 (3) Rocks
Plus 9 hours of 200-level or higher geology courses
(excluding GEL 301).
Total:
22 semester hours
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Hydrogeology/
Environmental Geology Minor
B.A.A.,
B.A., and B.S. Degrees.
Required
Courses (12-13 hours)
1. Any one of the following sequences of Introductory
Geology with laboratory:
A) GEL 101 (3) Physical Geology AND
GEL 102 (1) Physical Geology
Laboratory
B) GEL 105 (3) Environmental Geology AND
GEL 102 (1) Physical Geology
Laboratory
C) GEL 100 (3) Introduction to Earth Systems
D) GEL 130 (3) Earth Processes
Plus 9 hours of elective courses from the following:
BIO 365 (3) Environmental Contaminants OR
CHM 342 (4) Survey of Organic Chemistry OR
CHM 345 (3) Organic Chemistry I
ESC 310 (3) Surface Hydrology
GEL 320 (3) Rocks
GEL 372 (3) Introduction to Geophysics
GEL 402 (3) Environmental Geochemistry
GEL 413 (3) Geomorphology
GEL 440 (3) Stratigraphy and Sedimentology
Total:
21-23 semester hours
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Environmental
Studies Minor
B.A.,
B.S. degrees
This is an interdepartmental minor. Please check the
Interdepartmental and Interdisciplinary Majors and Minors
section.
The faculty: Kathleen Benison,
Martin Cook, Keith Johnson, Norman Lovan, Sven Morgan, David J. Matty,
Jane M. Matty, Mona Sirbescu, Reed Wicander
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