The B.S. in Geosciences at the University of Rhode Island is obtained through a combination of:

• General Education courses
• Supporting Science courses
• A core series of Geosciences courses; and
• Specialized Geosciences courses pertaining to the major option.

Core Geoscience Courses

All Geosciences majors take a suite of courses that are basic to the Geosciences degree. These courses are:

GEO 480 – All majors are highly encouraged to take a field course, preferably during the summer of the junior or senior year. Such courses are offered by a variety of different schools around the country, and involve 4 – 6 weeks of intensive field work including rock identification, mapping, and structural and stratigraphic studies. To broaden their geological experiences, we encourage our students to take advantage of one of the many courses offered in the western United States. Students may substitute an approved field experience for this course requirement.

In addition to the core courses, students must complete 2 GEO electives (at the 200-level or above) .

Supporting Sciences

The B.S. in Geology & Geological Oceanography with and option in Geology requires 1 year each, of calculus, physics, chemistry, and biology, and a course in either computer science or statistics (totaling between 33-35 credits).

Undergraduate Research

All majors are encouraged to engage in undergraduate research with a Geoscience faculty member.  The exposure to cutting-edge Geoscience research engages students outside of the typical classroom setting, while also reinforces learned concepts.  All faculty members routinely take students for research during semester and the experience can be used as credit towards a majors degree.

General Education Courses

The general education course requirement is a University-wide policy designed to build a basic academic foundation for all undergraduates. A total of forty credits is required. A number of courses required for the Option in Geology satisfy the general education requirement.  More information can be obtained from URI Academic Advising.

Suggested sequence of Courses