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Degrees

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Undergraduate

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Geological Sciences Bachelor of Science

Overview

The Bachelor of Science in geology consists of 48 units in geological science, at least 30 units in related fields, and 39 general education units. Students are required to complete a total of 120 units for graduation. Courses in related fields are in the disciplines of biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics and physics. The geology and related-fields courses have been selected to prepare students for:

graduate studies in geology related subjects such as geochemistry, geophysics, or oceanography;
employment in one of the many areas of the geological sciences;
teaching in the geological sciences; and
an avocation in the geological sciences.

Advising

Each student meets regularly with the undergraduate advisor to formulate his or her study plan and choose appropriate elective courses.

Contacts

For more information about our program in Geology, please contact our undergraduate advisor, Dr. Vali Memeti, at (657) 278-3882. You are also welcome to visit our department in Room 204, McCarthy Hall, or write to:

Undergraduate Advisor
Department of Geological Sciences 
California State University, Fullerton 
Fullerton, CA 92834-6850.

Student Learning Goals

In Spring 2011, the faculty developed the following Geology Learning Outcomes statement:

The following goals and learning outcomes have been established for students pursuing a degree in geological sciences:

Skills, concepts, and processes

describe, classify and interpret geologic field data and interpret the geologic history of an area by integrating all types of field data
read, interpret, and construct geologic maps, cross sections and block diagrams and use such diagrams to visualize geologic relations in the four dimensions of space and time
understand geologic time, explain the geologic time scale and its scientific basis, recount the milestone events in Earth history, and understand the basics of common dating methods

Integrative approach to Earth Science problems

apply physics, chemistry and biology to the understanding of Earth systems and cycles, including plate tectonics and the rock cycle, the water cycle, and the life cycle and evolution
understand the role of geology in everyday life, appreciate the extent of human impact on Earth systems and environments, and understand the processes that create natural hazards, and the strategies that minimize their impact on society

Scientific method

perform independent geological research by applying the scientific method, identify and locate existing geologic information, and communicate data and interpretations orally and in writing using appropriate technology

Earth Science Bachelor of Arts

Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Earth Science is offered for students who are interested in developing Earth science careers in K-12 science education, resource management, law, policy making/politics, journalism, and sustainable business. It will provide a well-balanced and flexible academic background that allows them to examine critically the growing number of Earth science related problems.

Of the 120 units required for graduation, a minimum of 32 are Earth science courses in Geology and Geography, 24 are in related fields, 3 are in Upper Division Writing, and 39 are in non-science and non-math general education courses. The remaining 22 undesignated units are selected to meet the particular needs of each student. To qualify for the B.A. in Earth science degree, students must have a "C" (2.0) or better in all Earth science courses applied toward the 32-unit requirement; in addition, students must have a 2.0 average in required related fields courses.

BA Earth Science Flyer

Advising

Each student meets regularly with the undergraduate advisor to formulate his or her study plan and choose appropriate elective courses.

Contacts

For more information about our program in Geology, please contact our undergraduate advisor, Dr. Vali Memeti, at (657) 278-3882. You are also welcome to visit our department in Room 204, McCarthy Hall, or write to:

Undergraduate Advisor
Department of Geological Sciences 
California State University, Fullerton 
Fullerton, CA 92834-6850.

Student Learning Goals

In Spring 2011, the faculty developed the following Geology Learning Outcomes statement:

The following goals and learning outcomes have been established for students pursuing a degree in Earth sciences:

Broad foundation in basic science

Understand basic mathematical/statistical relationships
Understand basic biological, physical, and chemical methods and processes

Skills, concepts, and processes

Understand the scientific method and roles of scientists in society
Read, interpret, and construct geologic maps, cross sections and block diagrams to visualize geologic relations in the four dimensions of space and time
Understand geologic time, explain the geologic time scale and its scientific basis, recount the milestone events in Earth history, and understand how the classification/interpretation of rocks are used to reconstruct Earth history
Identify and locate existing Earth science information and communicate data and interpretations orally and in writing using appropriate technology

Integrative approach to Earth Science problems

Understand the role of Earth materials and processes in everyday life
Understand Earth science and its relationships with societal issues, including the extent of human impact on Earth systems and environments
Understand the processes that create natural hazards and the strategies that minimize their impact on society
Apply fundamental concepts of math, physics, chemistry, and biology to integrate and synthesize to Earth systems and cycles, including plate tectonics, the rock cycle, the hydrologic cycle, the carbon cycle and evolution

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Post-Baccalaureate

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Masters Degree

Why Should I Pursue a Masters of Science in Geology?

Our master of science program provides the opportunity to gain an in-depth knowledge and experience centered around one of the sub-disciplines of the geological sciences that builds on the foundation of the bachelors degree. A recent survey of geologic consulting firms indicates that approximately half of newly-hired geologists will have a masters degree, clear evidence that the masters degree will provide a strong competitive advantage for entry into the work force. A masters degree is also an excellent choice for prospective high-school teachers and a prerequisite for teaching at the community college level. A masters degree also makes an excellent springboard toward a Ph.D. degree in Geology, especially for students who need the extra coursework or research experience in order to gain entry into a top Ph.D. program.

Get Started!

Application Deadlines for receipt of all materials:

Fall Semester: February 1

Spring Semester: October 1

Why choose California State University, Fullerton?

Our Reputation: Our department has a reputation for producing successful geologists. Many of the local geological consulting firms are populated with C.S.U.F. graduates and when they need to hire, these employers look at our graduates first. Our faculty has garnered national recognition for their research in projects funded by the National Science Foundation, the Petroleum Research Fund, and numerous other state and local funding agencies. Because of our faculty’s excellent reputation, our graduate students will have little difficulty starting a career, or moving on to quality Ph.D. programs.

Teaching Comes First: Unlike large Ph.D. – granting research universities, whose faculty spend most of their time on large research projects, C.S.U.F.’s primary mission is education. Our faculty are first and foremost excellent teachers. We take pride in the level of our interaction with students, and we take a personal interest in guaranteeing their success. Furthermore, our graduate classes are typically small, and provide close interaction between students and faculty. At C.S.U.F. you will be at the top of the knowledge food-chain!

Student-Centered Research: As well as being excellent educators, all of our faculty pursue active research programs. Our faculty design their research projects specifically around the involvement of students, and we require all faculty to involve students in their research. In the course of your graduate studies you will have ample opportunity to work one-on-one with your faculty advisor on a collaborative research project.

Student-Oriented Program: We designed our Master’s program specifically to cater to the changing needs of our students. Many of our graduate courses have flexible topics that can be modified specifically to meet the needs and desires of the current students. Our program also allows new courses to be offered in response to student demand. The requirements of our students will always dictate the focus of our program.

Each student will meet individually with the graduate advisor to formulate a study plan designed specifically to meet their goals. Elective course work in related fields such as math, physics, chemistry, biology, anthropology, engineering can easily be incorporated into your personal study plan.

In addition, we offer many of our graduate courses in the early evening hours to accommodate working students and master’s theses can be designed as collaborative projects with student’s employers.

Outstanding Opportunities

Our location within the active tectonic belt of southern California provides unlimited potential for designing nearby investigations in virtually any field of geology. However, opportunities are not limited to southern California, our students have pursued research projects around the country and overseas. Our actively engaged faculty guarantees many exciting research possibilities for our graduate students.

Location

Located 22 miles southeast of metropolitan Los Angeles, and about 25 miles from the Pacific coast. Fullerton is a full-service city renowned for its unique mix of residential, commercial and industrial, educational, and cultural environments which provide residents with an outstanding quality of life. Geologically, C.S.U.F. lies in the midst of the active boundary between the Pacific and North American plates. The nearby Los Angeles Basin, Peninsular and Transverse Ranges, Mojave Desert, Sierra Nevada and Basin and Range geological provinces provide abundant opportunities for field-based research.

Financial Aid

The Department of Geological Sciences typically employs several graduate teaching assistants to teach lower division geology laboratories. Research assistantships funded by faculty research grants may also be available. We have a very limited number of non-resident tuition waivers for graduate students from out-of-state. For additional information about financial aid, contact the Office of Financial Aid (Gordon Hall – Room 146) at (657) 278-3125.

Contacts

For more information about our graduate program in Geology, please contact our graduate advisor, Dr. Jim Parham, at (657) 278-3882. You are also welcome to visit our department in McCarthy Hall, Room 204, or write to:

Graduate Advisor 
Department of Geological Sciences 
California State University, Fullerton
Fullerton, CA 92834-6850

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Minor in Geology

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Overview

Have you enjoyed Geology 101, 110T, or 140 and want to learn more? Are you interested in the environment, or are in an environmentally related field? Are you simply curious about the world around you and want to know more about how the Earth works? If so, then you should consider a minor in Geology.

The geology minor provides students with a solid background in the basics of geology, proving invaluable for future K-12 teachers and expanding employment opportunities for biology, chemistry, physics, math, engineering, anthropology, and geography majors. Students from majors such as journalism, political sciences, communication and business (e.g., marketing) also benefit from the geology minor, especially if their interests are in environmentally-related areas. Even students in seemingly unrelated majors will benefit by learning more about the Earth, preparing for Earth-friendly careers, and becoming more environmentally aware citizen-scientists.

Requirements for a Minor in Geology

A minimum of 20 units in geological sciences
12 units must be distinct and different from major requirements
At least 12 units must be upper division units (6 units must be in residence)
No more than 3 units of GEOL 310T may be applied to the minor

At least 12 units toward the Minor in Geology must be upper division; at least six of which must be taken in residence. Up to three units of GEOL 310T may be applied. Prospective minors should make an appointment with a department adviser in order to select courses that most closely match their educational goals. Prospective teachers should include courses in physical geology, Earth history, hydrology and surface processes, oceanography, mineralogy, petrology, plus GEOL 420.

Contacts

For more information about a minor in Geology, please contact our undergraduate advisor, Dr. Vali Memeti, at (657) 278-3882. You are also welcome to visit our department in Room 204, McCarthy Hall, or write to:

Department of Geological Sciences 
California State University, Fullerton 
Fullerton, CA 92834-6850

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