B.S. in Geology

Students enrolled in the Geology major are afforded the opportunity to pursue interests in several areas of specialization, including:

• Petrology
• Volcanology
• Structural geology
• Sedimentary geology
• Hydrology
• Soil science
• Climate change
• Petroleum geology
• Paleontology

A critical component of this degree program is a field-based capstone project in which students must demonstrate their ability to interpret a natural system and communicate their understanding in a professional manner.

B.S. in Geology Course Worksheet:

A downloadable PDF is available below for student looking to view course requirements for the Geology major:

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Identify common rock-forming minerals in hand specimens and thin section, major rock types, and will be able to describe the conditions under which each of them formed. This includes being able to describe the chemical characteristics of various rock types, geologic influences on environmental pollutants, and the use of stable and radiogenic isotopes are environmental tracers and tools in dating rocks and water.
• Identify the common types of invertebrate and vertebrate fossils, their approximate age, and the environments in which they lived, and have a grounding in the historical development of the field of geology.
• Recognize various types of geologic structures in the field, and be able to use these to reconstruct the structural history of a region.
• Describe the major processes that determine the characteristics of the earth’s surface, and be able to examine a landscape and interpret its geomorphic history.
• Describe the plate-tectonic history of the earth, the relationship between plate tectonic processes and mountiain building, and the types of data used to reconstruct the position of a particular plate in the geologic past.
• Describe the regional stratigraphic framework of the Southern Nevada region; explore a new region with a well-exposed stratigraphic record and reconstruct the sedimentological history of the region.
• Be facile in computer applications in geology including spatial and imagery analysis applications, quantitative skills, and express themselves well in oral and written reports.
• Apply the techniques of at least two disciplines within the field of geology to the solution of appropriate research or applied problems.
• Demonstrate the ability to function independently, collaboratively, and ethically with others in the profession as colleagues and supervisors.
• Demonstrate the ability to enter a new field area, construct a geologic map on a topographic base, interpret the geologic history of the area, and write a professional quality report on the geology of the area.

Career Opportunities

Students who complete the BS in Geology are ideally suited for entry-level jobs in environmental consulting, energy exploration, mining, state or federal government agencies.

These jobs are often field-work oriented, where geologists collect soil, water and rock samples for lab analysis and mapping, or where geologists work on computers to manage information about natural resources or environmental issues.

Many industries and agencies provide additional training to BS-level geologists that allow them to perform specialized work in a particular sub-discipline. Most employers who hire at this level are looking for well-rounded scientists with a firm grasp of fundamental geoscience knowledge and skills.

For more information on potential careers in the earth sciences, view the UNLV College of Science Career Guide here.