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home » degree programs » geology undergraduate program
Geology Undergraduate Program
» Goals and Objectives
» Program Accreditation
» Admissions
» Degree Requirements
» Geology and Geological Engineering Courses
| Goals and Objectives |
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The goals of the Bachelor of Science in Geology program are an outgrowth of and consistent with The University of Mississippi academic focus and goals for the 1990s. While recognizing that the primary goal is to educate students whose careers will serve the state of Mississippi, it is our goal to train students whose professional careers will also serve the needs of the nation and the world in geology and related fields. Past graduates of the program have found professional positions in a range of industries including environmental, geospatial information science and technology, graduate education, earth resources extraction, and hydrology. Future graduates are expected to serve the same range of industries. The objectives of the Bachelor of Science in Geology program are to prepare graduates:
Capable of conducting productive careers as professional geologists engaged in continuous professional growth along their chosen career path;
Knowledgeable of fundamental mathematics, chemistry, and physics, in preparation for advanced instruction and professional practice in geology;
Well versed in the liberal arts and capable of effective written and oral communication;
Familiar with modern technology and modern scientific practice, and prepared to engage in lifelong learning to remain vital in the profession.
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| Program Accreditation |
The Bachelor of Science program in Geology is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
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| Admissions |
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Criteria and procedures for admitting students within the Department of Geology and Geological Engineering follow the general requirements for admission to the University of Mississippi. A portion of these requirements are shown below. The entire list of requirements is published in the Undergraduate Catalog. It is recommend that all prospective students consult with the current catalog or contact the Department should you have any further questions.
Admission requirements to the School of Engineering, which encompass and exceed the general university requirements, are given below:
Admission of Freshmen
An applicant to the freshman class at the University of Mississippi must submit the following:
The applicants academic record from an approved secondary school which
includes at least the following units:
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Subject |
Minimum Units |
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English |
4 |
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Mathematics |
3 |
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Natural science |
3 |
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Social science |
3 |
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Advanced electives, including
Foreign language (one language) |
2 |
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Computer applications |
0.5 |
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Total (secondary school units) |
15.5 |
Admission of Transfer Students
An overall C average in course work taken at other approved colleges is required for transfer into the University of Mississippi. In unusual cases, the rule may be waived with the approval of the appropriate department chair and the dean.
Admission of International Students
International undergraduate applicants must have received a high school diploma with a B average or better and have completed a minimum of 12 years of primary and secondary education. Those prospective students whose native language is not English must submit evidence of competence in English by a minimum TOEFL score of 550 (paper) or 213 (computer-based). International students transferring from other colleges and universities must have an overall B average or better on all courses taken.
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| Degree Requirements |
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The following is the Bachelor of Science in Geology degree requirements by topic for students entering the program AFTER August 1, 2003. For students who have entered prior to August 1, 2003, see your academic advisor for curriculum transition requirements.
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TOTAL SEMESTER HOURS: 127/128 |
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FIRST YEAR: 29 Semester Hours |
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Courses |
Semester Hours |
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1st |
2nd |
| English 101, 102English Composition |
3 |
3 |
| Chemistry 105, 106, 115, 116General Chemistry; Laboratory |
4 |
4 |
| Mathematics 261, 262Unified Calculus and Analytic Geometry |
3 |
3 |
| Geology 103Earth Dynamics |
5 |
- |
| Geology 221Mineralogy |
- |
4 |
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SECOND YEAR: 31 Semester Hours |
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Courses |
Semester Hours |
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1st |
2nd |
| English 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, or 226 |
3 |
3 |
| Physics 213, 214, 223, 224Physics; Laboratory |
4 |
4 |
| Geology 222Elementary Petrology |
4 |
- |
| Geology 303Structural and Tectonic Geology |
- |
3 |
| Geology 305, 314Geomorphology; Sedimentology and Stratigraphy |
3 |
4 |
| Humanities/Fine Arts Elective |
3 |
- |
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THIRD YEAR: 31 Semester Hours |
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Courses |
Semester Hours |
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1st |
2nd |
| Foreign Language 101, 102 |
3 |
3 |
| SPCH 105-Speech |
- |
3 |
| CSCI 111Computer Science I |
3 |
- |
| GE 234Intro. to Geological Engineering Field Methods |
1 |
- |
| GE 413Probability and Statistical Analyses in Engineering Design |
- |
3 |
| Geology 309, 420, 500 or 513 |
3 |
- |
| Humanities/Social Science Elective |
6 |
3 |
| Fine Arts Elective |
- |
3 |
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THIRD YEAR: 6 Semester Hours |
| GE 437South Dakota School of Mines Field Camp (or acceptable substitute field camp)
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FOURTH YEAR: 30/31 Semester Hours |
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Courses |
Semester Hours |
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1st |
2nd |
| Foreign Language 201, 102 |
3 |
3 |
Geology 505-Hydrogeology or
Geology 550-Oceanography & Marine Geology |
4/3 |
- |
GE 503Environmental Geochemistry or
GE 577- Geophysics I |
- |
3 |
| Geology/GE Elective 400-level or above |
3 |
3 |
| Humanities/Social Science Elective |
3 |
3 |
| Elective |
3 |
3 |
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| Geology and Geological Engineering Courses |
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GEOL 103 |
EARTH DYNAMICS. An integrated study of the process-response relationships between plate tectonics and geological processes through time. Required of geology and geological engineering majors. Prerequisite:none. (3 lecture, 2 lab hours) (5 credit hours). |
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GEOL 221 |
MINERALOGY. Crystallography, crystal chemistry, and minerals; determination by physical and chemical properties. Prerequisite: GEOL 103. Corequisite: CHEM 105. (3 lecture, 2 lab hours) (4 credit hours). |
GEOL 222 |
ELEMENTARY PETROLOGY. Petrographic and hand-specimen identification of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks, lithologic classification, and the role of plate tectonics in petrogenesis. Prerequisite or corequisite: GEOL 221. (3 lecture, 2 lab hours). (4 credit hours). |
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GEOL 303 |
STRUCTURAL AND TECTONIC GEOLOGY. Geometric and genetic classification of both macro- and micro-structural types and their interrelations with crustal tectonics. Prerequisite: GEOL 222. (2 lecture, 2 lab hours). (3 credit hours).
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GEOL 305 |
GEOMORPHOLOGY. Introduction to concepts of landform genesis. Prerequisite or corequisite: GEOL 103. (2 lecture, 2 lab hours) (3 credit hours) |
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GEOL 309 |
INVERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY. The classification, morphology, and paleoecology of invertebrate fossils. Prerequisite: GEOL 103. (3 lecture, 2 lab hours). (4 credit hours).
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GEOL 314 |
SEDIMENTOLOGY AND STRATIGRAPHY. Study of the principles of sediment and sedimentary rock formation, transport, classification, and depositional environments, as well as the development of stratigraphic sequences and modern and traditional methods of stratigraphic correlation. Prerequisite: GEOL 222. (3 lecture, 2 lab hours) (4 credit hours). |
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GEOL 420 |
OPTICAL MINEROLOGY. Use of the petrographic microscope to study the optical properties of rock-forming minerals. Prerequisite: GEOL 222 (2 lecture, 2 lab). (3 credit hours). |
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GEOL 500 |
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS. Geographic Information Systems are combinations of computer software, hardware, and database (maps). These systems are used to analyze and display geographical information necessary for government and industrial planning. Prerequisite: GEOL 305, or consent of instructor. (4 credit hours). |
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GEOL 505 |
HYDROGEOLOGY. Groundwater hydrology for geologists. Prerequisite: GEOL 221, 222, 303, 313, or consent of instructor. (4 credit hours). |
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GEOL 530 |
GEOLOGY FIELD STUDIES. Field projects for graduate students. Prerequisite: GEOL 221, 222, 303, 313, or consent of instructor. (3 credit hours). |
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GEOL 550 |
OCEANOGRAPHY AND MARINE GEOLOGY. Advanced study of the principles of ocean basin tectonics, seawater composition, waves, tides, currents, and marine and coastal marine sedimentation. Prerequisite: GEOL 314 or consent of instructor. (3 credit hours). |
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GEOL 591 |
SPECIAL TOPICS. Lecture or lecture-lab courses on specific topics and on a one-time basis. (1-3 credit hours). |
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GE 234 |
INTRODUCTION TO GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING FIELD METHODS. Instruction in the use of geological field instruments and geological engineering field technique. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (1 credit hour). |
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GE 305 |
GEOMECHANICS. Properties and behavior of earth materials and their geological engineering applications to problems and design in geotechnics, mining, and petroleum. Prerequisite: ENGR 420. Corequisite: GE 420. (3 credit hours). |
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GE 402 |
PROFESSIONALISM IN GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING. Overview of professionalism in Geological Engineering, including such topics as ethics, communication, legal aspects and public interface. Prerequisite: Senior standing. (1 credit hour).
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GE 405 |
ENGINEERING GEOPHYSICS. The application of geophysical methods and techniques to subsurface engineering investigations. (3 credit hours). |
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GE 413 |
PROBABILITY AND STATISTICAL ANALYSES IN ENGINEERING DESIGN. Introduction to probability, statistics, uncertainty, and reliability. Application of common continuous and discrete probability distributions. Design under uncertainty and elementary decision analysis. Simulation of random variables. Applications in natural and man-made materials, hydrologic and geological conditions and other natural processes, and engineering design. (Same as ENGR 453). Prerequisite: MATH 262. (3 credit hours).
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GE 420 |
SUBSURFACE SITE CHARACTERIZATION. Coring, logging, introduction and application of geophysical methods, sampling, and penetrometer testing. Applications require preparation of quality assurance and control procedures, maps, cross sections, and oral and written reports. Prerequisites: GE 305, 450. (4 credit hours).
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GE 421 |
GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING DESIGN. Geological engineering design by the application of rock mechanics, soil mechanics, geology, geophysics, remote sensing and hydrology to geological and engineering problems. Prerequisite: senior standing.
The taking of the national Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination is a requirement of this course.
Prerequisites: GE 420. (4 credit hours). |
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GE 430 |
GEOLOGICAL FIELD STUDIES. Application of geological engineering and geology to special study field problems. Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor. (4 credit hours).
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GE 437 |
GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING DESIGN FIELD CAMP. Geological engineering design problems at the South Dakota Consortium’s Black Hills Field Station. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (3-6 credit hours). |
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GE 440 |
ROCK MECHANICS. The physical and engineering properties of rocks and rock-like materials; classification, strength, deformation, hydraulic aspects, geostresses, effects of discontinuities and geologic structures. Geological engineering application to geotechnics, petroleum and mining problems and design. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (2 lecture, 2 lab hours) (3 credit hours). |
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GE 450 |
HYDROGEOLOGY. The theory and geology of the flow of ground water. Engineering principles and the design of wells for the production or injection of fluids from or into subsurface aquifers. Prerequisite: GE 420 or consent of instructor. (3 lecture, 2 lab hours) (4 credit hours). |
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GE 460 |
FUNDAMENTALS OF WASTE MANAGEMENT. The fundamentals of managing and disposing of waste materials. Emphasis on the geological and geotechnical aspects of disposal by burying in the subsurface, and on elements of geophysics. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (3 credit hours). |
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GE 470 |
INTRODUCTION TO GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS). Geographic information systems (GIS) are computer systems of holding and using information describing places on the Earth. These systems used are for industry and government to manage and analyze environmental, engineering, and natural resource information. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (3 lecture, 2 lab hours) (3 credit hours). |
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GE 490 |
DIRECTED STUDIES AND PROJECTS. Individual studies and/or projects for undergraduates on specific topics. (1-3 credit hours).
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GE 503 |
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY. Chemical interaction between water and aquifer minerals, organic minerals, and contaminants. Prerequisite: CHEM 106. (3 credit hours). |
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GE 506 |
GEOMECHANICS FOR GEOLOGISTS. Application of geomechanics to geological problems. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (3 credit hours). |
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GE 507 |
REGIONAL GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING. Geological engineering problems associated with each area of the United States . (3 credit hours). |
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GE 510 |
REMOTE SENSING. Theory and principles of remote sensing technology; mission design and analysis of remotely sensed data, given cost and technological constraints, for geologic applications. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (1 lecture, 4 lab hours) (3 credit hours). |
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GE 511 |
SPATIAL ANALYSIS. GIS analysis of the relationships of mapped features. Course will include application and integration of GIS, image processing, and mathematical modes. (3 credit hours). |
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GE 513 |
ECONOMIC GEOLOGY. Study of the formation and classification of ore deposits; exploration techniques; evaluation of reserves; and extraction techniques. Prerequisite: GEOL 303. (3 credit hours). |
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GE 518 |
QUANTITATIVE METHODS IN GEOLOGY AND GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING. Quantitative methods in geolgogy and geological engineering. (3 credit hours). |
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GE 520 |
GEOLOGY AND GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING COMPUTER APPLICATIONS. The use of computer programs for earth science applications. Prerequisites: GEOL 221, 222, 313, 315, or consent of instructor. (3 credit hours). |
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GE 535 |
ADVANCED ROCK MECHANICS. The application of mechanics to solving problems in rock engineering for both surface and underground conditions. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (3 credit hours). |
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GE 561 |
DESIGN OF WASTE REPOSITORIES. Assessment of factors that govern site selection, site evaluation, and landfill design. Prerequisite: GE 460 or GE 560. |
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GE 577 |
GEOPHYSICS I. Gravity and magnetic theory and methods. (3 credit hours). |
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GE 591 |
SPECIAL TOPICS. Lecture or lecture/lab courses on specific topics and on a one-time basis. (1-3 credit hours). |
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The courses listed are those recently offered. A complete list of courses may be found in the Undergraduate Catalog.
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