Department Information

Chair:
David Barclay

Bowers Hall, Room 342

Phone: 607-753-2815
Fax: 607-753-4973

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Geology Department
Program Details

Program Details

Geology [GLY] (Major)

This liberal arts major in the Geology Department provides a solid foundation in the geological sciences. The program is designed to meet the current market demands for professional geologists as well as requirements of graduate programs in geology.

Career Potential

Geologic consulting
Research or academic scientist
Mining and petroleum exploration
State and federal agencies

A. Required Courses in Geology: 34-37 credit hours

GLY 261 - Physical Geology (4 cr. hr.)
GLY 262 - Historical Geology (4 cr. hr.)
GLY 301 - Mineralogy (4 cr. hr.)
GLY 302 - Petrology (4 cr. hr.)
GLY 363 - Invertebrate Paleontology (3 cr. hr.)
GLY 367 - Geomorphology (3 cr. hr.)
GLY 410 - Hydrogeology (3 cr. hr.)
GLY 469 - Structural Geology (3 cr. hr.)
GLY 471 - Stratigraphy (3 cr. hr.)
GLY 476 - Geologic Field Methods (3-4 cr. hr.) or
GLY 481 - Field Geology (5-6 cr. hr.)

B. Elective Courses in Geology: 0-3 credit hours from the following to bring the total in GLY to 37:

GLY 281 - Data Analysis in Natural Science (3 cr. hr.)
Cannot be used to fulfill GLY elective if used to fulfill mathematics requirement (see below).
GLY 371 - Meteorology (4 cr. hr.)
GLY 396 - Aqueous Geochemistry (3 cr. hr.)
GLY 397 - Physical Oceanography (3 cr. hr.)
GLY 400 - Supplemental Field Studies (1-3 cr. hr.)
GLY 487 - Internship in Applied Geology (3-12 cr. hr.)
GLY 494 - Geology Laboratory Experience (1 cr. hr.)
GLY 499 - Independent Investigations (1-3 cr. hr.)

C. Courses in Related Areas: 28 credit hours

CAP 100 - Introduction to Computer Applications (3 cr. hr.)
CHE 221 - General Chemistry I (4 cr. hr.)
CHE 222 - General Chemistry II (4 cr. hr.)
GRY 324 - Introduction to Cartography and Geographic Information Systems (3 cr. hr.)
MAT 121 - Calculus A (3 cr. hr.)

Select one from the following:

GLY 281 - Data Analysis in Natural Science (3 cr. hr.)
MAT 122 - Calculus B (3 cr. hr.)
MAT 201 - Statistical Methods (3 cr. hr.)

Select a two-semester sequence from the following:

BIO 201 - Biological Sciences I (4 cr. hr.) and
BIO 202 - Biological Sciences II (4 cr. hr.) or
PHY 105 - Elementary Mechanics and Heat (4 cr. hr.) and
PHY 106 - Elementary Electricity, Light and Sound (4 cr. hr.) or
PHY 201 - Principles of Physics I (4 cr. hr.) and
PHY 202 - Principles of Physics II (4 cr. hr.)

D. College requirements: 37 credit hours

The General Education requirements in the Natural Sciences (categories 2 and 13), quantitative skills (category 1), and presentation skills (category 10) are satisfied by courses in the major.

E. Free electives: 18 credit hours

Total Credit Hours Required for Graduation: 120

Example of the bachelor's degree in Geology over Four Years

The Environmental Science (ENVS) concentration has a different four-year model.

First Year
Fall Total credit hours: 14-15

GE course
CAP 100 - Introduction to Computer Applications (3 cr. hr.)

CPN 100 - Writing Studies I (3 cr. hr.) or
CPN 102 - Writing Studies in the Community I (4 cr. hr.)

COR 101 - The Cortland Experience: A First Year Seminar (1 cr. hr.)
GLY 261 - Physical Geology (4 cr. hr.)

Spring Total credit hours: 16-17

Two GE courses
Elective

CPN 101 - Writing Studies II (3 cr. hr.) or
CPN 103 - Writing Studies in the Community II (4 cr. hr.)

GLY 262 - Historical Geology (4 cr. hr.)

Second Year
Fall Total credit hours: 14

GE course
CHE 221 - General Chemistry I (4 cr. hr.)
MAT 121 - Calculus A (3 cr. hr.)

and

BIO 201 - Biological Sciences I (4 cr. hr.) or
PHY 105 - Elementary Mechanics and Heat (4 cr. hr.)

Spring Total credit hours: 14

GE course
CHE 222 - General Chemistry II (4 cr. hr.)
MAT 122 - Calculus B (3 cr. hr.)

and

BIO 202 - Biological Sciences II (4 cr. hr.) or
PHY 106 - Elementary Electricity, Light and Sound (4 cr. hr.)

Third Year
Fall Total credit hours: 16

Two GE courses
GLY 301 - Mineralogy (4 cr. hr.)
GLY 367 - Geomorphology (3 cr. hr.)
GRY 324 - Introduction to Cartography and Geographic Information Systems (3 cr. hr.)

Spring Total credit hours: 16

GE course
Foreign language
Elective
GLY 302 - Petrology (4 cr. hr.) (WRIT)
GLY 363 - Invertebrate Paleontology (3 cr. hr.)

Summer Total credit hours: 3-4

GLY 476 - Geologic Field Methods (3-4 cr. hr.)

Fourth Year
Fall Total credit hours: 12

Writing Intensive course
Elective
GLY 410 - Hydrogeology (3 cr. hr.)
GLY 471 - Stratigraphy (3 cr. hr.)

Spring Total credit hours: 15

GLY elective
Three elective courses
GLY 469 - Structural Geology (3 cr. hr.)

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