About

Do you find the prospect of working on a wide range of Earth-related issues from resource management to environmental protection exciting? Do you enjoy puzzle and problem solving, and working across scales, using details to solve wider problems? Do you enjoy travel and working outdoors?

The first two years of the bachelor of science in geology program focus on a foundation of arts and sciences courses and cognate courses in quantitative skills, chemistry, and physics or biology. During the junior and senior years, the program focus is on core geology courses in mineralogy and petrology, structural geology, stratigraphy and sedimentology, paleontology, and field geology.

Material studied in the geological sciences allows students to acquire knowledge and skills in hydrology, oceanography and coastal geology, environmental geology, geomorphology, climate change, and geochemistry. Students are encouraged to acquire additional technical and non-technical knowledge and skills beyond the geosciences by taking elective courses in other sciences, business, economics, geographic information systems (GIS), computer applications, communications, and anthropology.

ECU Advantage

The strong, traditional base of our bachelor of science in geology provides flexibility for our students to pursue many career pathways available in the geosciences, other sciences, and resource management. The classroom and field-based training in our program teaches our students to visualize in three dimensions, to proficiently extrapolate data and concepts into the "bigger picture," and to work effectively as a team. Field training is an essential component in our degree program. Our program includes a six-week summer field experience in New Mexico and Colorado, and several weekend field trips.

As an ECU student, you can research your future career in Steppingblocks. Explore real-world stats about your major, your interests, and your dream job title with data-powered career exploration tools designed for doers like you.

What You Will Study

Program Coordinator: Dave Mallinson (Graham Building 301-C; 252-328-1344; mallinsond@ecu.edu)

The core curriculum of the Geology, BS provides a solid foundation of geoscience knowledge that prepares students for current and future job opportunities and to attend graduate school. The degree offers two concentrations. The professional concentration is designed for students desiring to receive the degree with a strong background in geology and additional mathematics and science courses that will make them very competitive in the job market. The applied concentration is designed for students desiring to pursue advanced degrees with an emphasis on research in earth sciences. 

The degree requires a minimum of 120 s.h. as follows:

1. General education requirements including those listed below - 40 s.h.

(For information about courses that carry general education credit view the General Education Program section.)

  • CHEM 1150 - General Chemistry I
  • CHEM 1151 - General Chemistry Laboratory I
  • CHEM 1160 - General Chemistry II
  • MATH 1065 - College Algebra or any higher approved general education mathematics course
2. Core - 43 s.h.
  • GEOL 1500 - Dynamic Earth
  • GEOL 1501 - Dynamic Earth Laboratory
  • GEOL 1600 - Earth and Life Through Time
  • GEOL 2000 - Quantitative Methods in the Geological Sciences
  • GEOL 2300 - Current Topics in Geoscience
  • GEOL 3070 - Earth Materials and Resources
  • GEOL 3071 - Earth Materials and Resources Laboratory
  • GEOL 3170 - Modern Petrology
  • GEOL 3171 - Modern Petrology Laboratory
  • GEOL 3200 - Introduction to Field Methods
  • GEOL 3201 - Introduction to Field Methods Laboratory
  • GEOL 3300 - Structural Geology
  • GEOL 3301 - Structural Geology Laboratory
  • GEOL 3500 - Hydrogeology and the Environment
  • GEOL 3501 - Hydrogeology and the Environment Laboratory
  • GEOL 4000 - Summer Field Course in Geology
  • GEOL 4010 - Sedimentology
  • GEOL 4011 - Sedimentology Laboratory
  • GEOL 4300 - Stratigraphy and Paleontology
  • GEOL 4301 - Stratigraphy and Paleontology Laboratory
3. Concentrations - 6-9 s.h.

(Choose one of the following concentrations.)

    a. Applied research concentration (6 s.h.)
    • GEOL 4500 - Research in Geological Sciences (3 s.h.)
    • Choose 3 s.h.
    • Choose 3 s.h. of GEOL electives (3000-level or higher).
    b. Professional concentration (9 s.h.)
    • Choose 9 s.h. of GEOL electives with at least 6 s.h. at the 3000-level or higher. 
    4. Cognates - 22-26 s.h.

    Choose a set of cognates according to selected concentration. 

      a. Applied research concentration (25-26 s.h.)
      • CHEM 1161 - General Chemistry Laboratory II
      • MATH 2228 - Elementary Statistical Methods I
      • PHYS 1250 - General Physics I
      • PHYS 1251 - General Physics Laboratory I
      • PHYS 1260 - General Physics II
      • PHYS 1261 - General Physics Laboratory II

      • GEOG 3430 - Geographic Information Systems I OR
      • PLAN 3430 - Geographic Information Systems I

      • MATH 2121 - Calculus for the Life Sciences I OR
      • MATH 2171 - Calculus I

      • MATH 2122 - Calculus for the Life Sciences II OR
      • MATH 2172 - Calculus II

      • Choose 4 s.h.
      b. Professional concentration (22-23 s.h.)
      • CHEM 1161 - General Chemistry Laboratory II
      • MATH 2228 - Elementary Statistical Methods I
      • PHYS 1250 - General Physics I
      • PHYS 1251 - General Physics Laboratory I

      • GEOG 3430 - Geographic Information Systems I OR
      • PLAN 3430 - Geographic Information Systems I

      • MATH 2121 - Calculus for the Life Sciences I OR
      • MATH 2171 - Calculus I

      • Choose 8 s.h.
    5. Electives to complete requirements for graduation.
      For more information about this degree visit the university's academic catalogs.
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