Requirements: Students can complete a major or minor in geology, or a joint major with ES (Environmental Studies). Joint majors with other departments are encouraged and are planned individually.
Students are expected to have completed at least one introductory-level course before proceeding to more advanced work. Beyond the introductory level, work at the intermediate level takes the form of more advanced 200- and 300-level courses. These courses cover techniques, methods, and processes in both field and laboratory aspects of the various subfields of geology. Senior seminars (400 series) are designed to encourage independent study of specific topics.
Requirements for the Major in Geology: Please note: These new requirements supersede earlier major requirements for students in the classes of 2008-2010. Students in these classes should consult with your department advisor or the department chair for modifications to their plan of study.
Required for the Major: The program for a geology major consists of 11 courses within the department and two additional cognate courses. These courses must include:
(1) One 0100-level course (we strongly recommend Environmental Geology (GEOL 0112), Elements of Oceanography (GEOL 0161) or Dynamic Earth (GEOL 0170)).
(2) Four core courses: Bedrock Geology of Vermont (GEOL 0201), Mineralogy (GEOL 0211), and Structural Geology (GEOL 0281) are required, plus either Geomorphic Processes (GEOL 0251) or Surface Ground Water (GEOL 0255).
3) Four elective courses (0200-level or higher) chosen from the Middlebury geology curriculum, at least two of which must be at the 0300-level. Geographic Information Systems (GEOG 0320) and one additional off-campus geology course can be substituted for electives.
(4) Two cognate courses (any Biology, Chemistry, or Physics laboratory course, or Math 0116 or higher).
(5) Two Credits of Senior Work (GEOL 0400 and GEOL 0700)
The two course senior sequence (GEOL 0400 and 0700) is the culmination of the geology major and consists of original research based on field and/or laboratory investigations by the student. The requirements for the major listed above are considered to be minimal. We suggest students planning a career in geology or the earth sciences take additional courses in other sciences and mathematics, as well as additional geology courses. The requirements for the major allow for considerable flexibility and thus students should consult regularly with their geology department advisors for the selection of specific courses.
Geology Minor: A total of five courses is required. The minor shall consist of one introductory course (either GEOL 0112 or GEOL 0161 or GEOL 0170), plus four higher-level courses, which must include GEOL 0201 or GEOL 0211, and at least one 0300-level course. After completing an introductory geology course, students who intend to minor in geology should arrange specific 0200- and 0300-level courses with the geology chair or designate.
Departmental Honors in geology are based primarily on outstanding work in original research (GEOL 0700), and are related to course grades only in the context of guidelines in the College Handbook.
After completing an introductory geology course, students who intend to minor in geology should arrange specific 200- and 300-level courses with the geology chair or designate.