The undergraduate curriculum has two areas of concentration: geology and environmental geology.

All geology major students follow the same basic curriculum during the first five semesters of study. Students during this time receive a firm foundation in mineralogy, petrology, structural geology, and sedimentology, as well as basic courses in biology, computer science, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Emphasis is on fundamental geologic processes operating on and within the earth. Laboratory and field studies are integrated into the curriculum at all levels and include a six-week field geology course at the Department's permanent field camp in the Colorado Front Range.

The curriculum is designed to leave much of the final three semesters of study relatively unstructured so that students, with the guidance and approval of the department, can develop a program of advanced course work most appropriate to their career objectives. Students selecting the geology area of concentration take, in addition to the first five semester group of courses, paleontology, a basic course in either geophysics, geochemistry or tectonics, and six hours of geology electives. Students selecting the environmental geology area of concentration take physical hydrogeology, nine hours of approved environmental geology electives, and nine hours of approved electives in chemistry, mathematics, and other disciplines relevant to environmental problems. Both areas of concentration are designed to provide students with a sound foundation in basic geology and to prepare them for entry into a graduate program or directly into a professional career.

Graduate and undergraduate majors in geology must pay a $35 field service fee each semester. Students not majoring in geology who schedule courses requiring field trip fees will be assessed a pro rata part of the amount above as determined by the department chair. Part-time students enrolled in seminar courses only and students registered for thesis or dissertation only are exempt from the fee. Additional information concerning fees for field geology courses is available from the Geology Field Camp Director, Department of Geology and Geophysics.

An undergraduate minor in geology is available (17 hrs.). Required courses are GEOL 1001, 1003, 1601, 1602. At least three of  the additional hours must be taken at the 3000 or 4000 level (excluding GEOL 1066, 1111 and 3909) and on this campus.

Note: all LSU students are subject to the LSU Code of Student

CURRICULUM IN GEOLOGY
TOTAL SEM. HRS. 123

* See area requirements.

Areas of Concentration

Geology

Required Courses (12 hrs.): GEOL 2061 (3 hrs.); nine hours of 4000-level geology electives, of which at least one course must be chosen from GEOL 4064, 4066, 4068, 4081, 4083, 4085, or 4131.

Environmental Geology

Required Courses (21 hrs.): GEOL 4182 (3 hrs.); approved environmental geology electives (9 hrs.); approved area electives (9 hrs.).

For further information please contact:

Dr. Brooks Ellwood
Undergraduate Advisor
E-mail: ellwood@lsu.edu