Geology Comprehensive Major: Geoarchaeology Emphasis

Program Requirements

The Geoarchaeology Emphasis requires a minimum of 64 credits:

GEOL 101Physical Geology (GT-SC2)3
or GEOL 103 Earth and Energy Systems
GEOL 105Physical Geology Laboratory (GT-SC1)1
GEOL 201Historical Geology (with laboratory)4
GEOL 302Geoscience Writing2
GEOL 310Stratigraphy and Sedimentation (with laboratory)4
GEOL 315Earth Materials (with laboratory)4
GEOL 320Geomorphology (with laboratory)4
GEOL 345Structural Geology (with laboratory)4
GEOL 380Paleoclimatology3
GEOL 450Field Geology4
Required Supporting Courses
ANTH 107Introduction to General Anthropology3
ANTH 218Biological Anthropology (with laboratory)4
ANTH 219Archaeology (with laboratory)4
ANTH 230Cultural Anthropology (with laboratory)4
GEOG 340INTRO GEOGRAPHIC INFO SYSTEMS3
Select two of the following:7-8
Analysis of Material Culture (with laboratory)
Archaeology of Colorado
Maya Archaeology
Cultural Resource Management
Archaeology Field School
Select one of the following:3-4
Introduction to Inorganic Chemistry (GT-SC2)
General Chemistry I (GT-SC2)
and General Chemistry Laboratory I (GT-SC1)
One of the following:3
Statistical Thinking (GT-MA1)
Probability and Statistics (GT-MA1)
Total Credits64-66

Capstone Course Requirement

GEOL 450 Field Geology

Graduation Requirements

Undergraduate programs require a minimum of 120 semester credits for graduation.  Of those 120 credits, 40 credits must be in upper-division courses (those marked 300 and above).  Fifteen of these 40 upper-division credits must be earned in courses that are part of the standard or comprehensive major program being pursued. 

Students are expected to review all graduation requirements, which can be found in the Western Undergraduate Catalog: Graduation Requirements

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
CHEM 111 General Chemistry I (GT-SC2) 3
CHEM 112 General Chemistry Laboratory I (GT-SC1) 1
GEOL 101 Physical Geology (GT-SC2) 3
GEOL 105 Physical Geology Laboratory (GT-SC1) 1
HWTR 100 First Year Seminar 1
MATH 141 Precalculus (GT-MA1) (or higher, depending on MATH placement) 1 4
Gen Ed General Education Courses 3
 Credits16
Spring
ENG 102 Writing and Rhetoric I (GT-CO1) 3
GEOL 201 Historical Geology (with laboratory) 4
MATH 113 Statistical Thinking (GT-MA1) 3
ANTH 107 Introduction to General Anthropology 3
 Credits13
Year Two
Fall
ANTH 218 Biological Anthropology (with laboratory) 4
GEOL 302 Geoscience Writing 2
GEOL 310 Stratigraphy and Sedimentation (with laboratory) 4
Elective Elective 6
 Credits16
Spring
ANTH 230 Cultural Anthropology (with laboratory) 4
ENG 103 Writing and Rhetoric II (GT-CO2) 3
GEOL 315 Earth Materials (with laboratory) 4
Gen Ed General Education Courses 3
 Credits14
Year Three
Fall
GEOL 345 Structural Geology (with laboratory) 4
Gen Ed General Education Courses 6
GEOL 320 Geomorphology (with laboratory) 4
ANTH 219 Archaeology (with laboratory) 4
 Credits18
Spring
Elective Elective 4
Gen Ed General Education Courses 6
ANTH 333 Archaeology of Colorado 3
GEOG 340 INTRO GEOGRAPHIC INFO SYSTEMS 3
 Credits16
Summer
GEOL 450 Field Geology 4
 Credits4
Year Four
Fall
Elective Electives 12
ANTH 322 Analysis of Material Culture (with laboratory) 4
 Credits16
Spring
GEOL 380 Paleoclimatology 3
Elective Electives 9
 Credits12
 Total Credits125
1

Geology requires completion of mathematics through Calculus II.  Additional mathematics courses may be required and would fill Elective courses as needed.