Program: Geology [GLY] - SUNY Cortland - Modern Campus Catalog™

2009-2010 Undergraduate Catalog

Apr 07, 2025

The liberal arts major in geology provides a solid foundation in the geological sciences. The program is designed to meet the current market demands for professional geologists as well as requirements of graduate programs in geology.

Career Potential

Geologic consulting
Research or academic scientist
Mining and petroleum exploration
State and federal agencies

A. Required Courses in Geology: 34-37 credit hours

GLY 261 - Physical Geology (4 cr. hr.)
GLY 262 - Historical Geology (4 cr. hr.)
GLY 301 - Mineralogy (4 cr. hr.)
GLY 302 - Petrology (4 cr. hr.)
GLY 363 - Invertebrate Paleontology (3 cr. hr.)
GLY 367 - Geomorphology (3 cr. hr.)
GLY 410 - Hydrogeology (3 cr. hr.)
GLY 469 - Structural Geology (3 cr. hr.)
GLY 471 - Stratigraphy (3 cr. hr.)
GLY 476 - Geologic Field Methods (3-4 cr. hr.)
or
GLY 481 - Field Geology (5-6 cr. hr.)

B. Elective Courses in Geology: 0-3 credit hours from the following to bring the total in GLY to 37:

GLY 281 - Data Analysis in Natural Science (3 cr. hr.)
Cannot be used to fulfill GLY elective if used to fulfill mathematics requirement (see below).
GLY 310 - Wetlands Analysis (3 cr. hr.)
GLY 371 - Meteorology (4 cr. hr.)
GLY 396 - Aqueous Geochemistry (3 cr. hr.)
GLY 397 - Physical Oceanography (3 cr. hr.)
GLY 400 - Supplemental Field Studies (1-3 cr. hr.)
GLY 487 - Internship in Applied Geology (3-12 cr. hr.)
GLY 494 - Geology Laboratory Experience (1 cr. hr.)
GLY 499 - Independent Investigations (1-3 cr. hr.)

C. Courses in Related Areas: 28 credit hours

CAP 100 - Introduction to Computer Applications (3 cr. hr.)
CHE 221 - General Chemistry I (4 cr. hr.)
CHE 222 - General Chemistry II (4 cr. hr.)
GRY 324 - Cartography and Geographic Information (3 cr. hr.)
MAT 121 - Calculus A (3 cr. hr.)

Select one from the following:

GLY 281 - Data Analysis in Natural Science (3 cr. hr.)
MAT 122 - Calculus B (3 cr. hr.)
MAT 201 - Statistical Methods (3 cr. hr.)

Select a two-semester sequence from the following:

BIO 201 - Biological Sciences I (4 cr. hr.)
and
BIO 202 - Biological Sciences II (4 cr. hr.)
or
PHY 105 - Elementary Mechanics and Heat (4 cr. hr.)
and
PHY 106 - Elementary Electricity, Light and Sound (4 cr. hr.)
or
PHY 201 - Principles of Physics I (4 cr. hr.)
and
PHY 202 - Principles of Physics II (4 cr. hr.)

D. Electives and College requirements:

The General Education requirements in the Natural Sciences (categories 2 and 13) are satisfied by courses in the major.

Total Credit Hours Required for Graduation: 124

Example of the bachelor’s degree in Geology over Four Years

Added concentrations have different four-year models.

First Year

Fall Total credit hours: 15-16

GE course
GE course

CAP 100 - Introduction to Computer Applications (3 cr. hr.)
CPN 100 - Writing Studies I (3 cr. hr.)
or
CPN 102 - Writing Studies in the Community I (4 cr. hr.)
MAT 121 - Calculus A (3 cr. hr.)

Spring Total credit hours: 15-16

GE course
GE course
Elective

CPN 101 - Writing Studies II (3 cr. hr.)
or
CPN 103 - Writing Studies in the Community II (4 cr. hr.)
MAT 122 - Calculus B (3 cr. hr.)

Second Year

Fall Total credit hours: 15

GE course

CHE 221 - General Chemistry I (4 cr. hr.)
GLY 261 - Physical Geology (4 cr. hr.)

And

BIO 201 - Biological Sciences I (4 cr. hr.)
or
PHY 105 - Elementary Mechanics and Heat (4 cr. hr.)

Spring Total credit hours: 16 -17

GE course
Elective

CHE 222 - General Chemistry II (4 cr. hr.)
GLY 262 - Historical Geology (4 cr. hr.)

And

BIO 202 - Biological Sciences II (4 cr. hr.)
or
PHY 106 - Elementary Electricity, Light and Sound (4 cr. hr.)

Third Year

Fall Total credit hours: 16

GE course
Elective

GLY 301 - Mineralogy (4 cr. hr.)
GLY 367 - Geomorphology (3 cr. hr.)
(WI)
GRY 324 - Cartography and Geographic Information (3 cr. hr.)

Spring Total credit hours: 16

GE course
Foreign language
WI course

GLY 302 - Petrology (4 cr. hr.)
GLY 363 - Invertebrate Paleontology (3 cr. hr.)

Summer Total credit hours: 3-6

GLY 476 - Geologic Field Methods (3-4 cr. hr.)

Fourth Year

Fall Total credit hours: 15

Elective
Elective
Elective

GLY 410 - Hydrogeology (3 cr. hr.)
GLY 471 - Stratigraphy (3 cr. hr.)

Spring Total credit hours: 15

GLY elective
Elective
Elective
Elective

GLY 469 - Structural Geology (3 cr. hr.)

Catalog

Career Potential

A. Required Courses in Geology: 34-37 credit hours

B. Elective Courses in Geology: 0-3 credit hours from the following to bring the total in GLY to 37:

C. Courses in Related Areas: 28 credit hours

Select one from the following:

Select a two-semester sequence from the following:

D. Electives and College requirements:

Total Credit Hours Required for Graduation: 124

Example of the bachelor’s degree in Geology over Four Years

First Year

Fall Total credit hours: 15-16

Spring Total credit hours: 15-16

Second Year

Fall Total credit hours: 15

And

Spring Total credit hours: 16 -17

And

Third Year

Fall Total credit hours: 16

Spring Total credit hours: 16

Summer Total credit hours: 3-6

Fourth Year

Fall Total credit hours: 15

Spring Total credit hours: 15

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