Location: 113 Geology Building, Phone: (409) 880-8236
Chair: Jim Jordan
Chair E-mail: jim.jordan@lamar.edu
The mission of the Department of Earth and Space Sciences as a group, and earth and space science as disciplines, is to integrate a broad diversity and range of scientific information regarding the Earth and its surroundings in space into a coherent and understandable framework. This integration of Earth and Space-related information is unique among the sciences and makes the department an important part of the College of Arts and Sciences. In addition, the department functions as a major contributor to students' appreciation of the importance of their physical surroundings and environment to their daily lives.
The Department of Earth and Space Sciences specializes in undergraduate instruction and offers bachelor’s degrees in Geology and Earth Science and minors in Geology, Earth Science, and Space Science. Graduates may be employed in industry (petroleum, mining, engineering, hydrogeology, environmental geology and aerospace), by government agencies or may elect to pursue graduate training at another institution. Certification in 4-8 science is offered in conjunction with the College of Education and Human Development.
Department faculty have a broad range of research and scholarly interests. These include traditional specializations in geology including stratigraphy, sedimentology, paleontology, petroleum geology, petrology, economic mineral deposits, environmental geology, geochemistry and geophysics. In addition faculty have interests and expertise in the geology of the Gulf Coast, geology of the Big Bend region, lunar and planetary science, computer applications to geology (geophysics, statistics, and GIS) and science education.
Bachelor of Science in Geology – 129 hours
Bachelor of Science in Earth Science – 121 hours
Teacher Certification
Minor in Geology – 21 hours
Minor in Earth Science – 21 hours
Minor in Space Science – 21 hours
Advisors: Cooper, Owen
The Bachelor of Science in Geology will be awarded upon completion of the minimum following requirements:
Recommended Program of Study – Total Min. Hours: 129
The following courses are highly recommended for the program of study for completion of the degree plan for the Bachelor of Science in Geology. Advanced elective requirements may be prescribed for specialized areas, i.e. certain minor requirements, preparaton for graduate school, certifications or licensures. Please see a program advisor or the department chair for details and differences.
Professional Geoscientist Emphasis
The State of Texas has legislated that any geologist practicing geology in the public domain affected by engineering and environmental geology policies in the State of Texas must be registered as a Professional Geoscientist (P.G.). Acquiring the P.G. license requires passing two exams: the Fundamentals of Geology (F.G.) and the Professional Geoscientist (P.G.) exams prepared and distributed by the Association of State Boards of Geologists (ASBOG). The license also requires at least five years experience practicing geology in addition to passing the exams. Students who wish to be licensed as a P.G. are strongly encouraged to take the Fundamentals of Geology exam near graduation. Students seeking the P.G. are also strongly encouraged to take Hydrogeology and Remote Sensing in addition to required geology courses.
Advisors: Westgate, Owen
The Bachelor of Science in Earth Science will be awarded upon completion of the following requirements:
Suggested Program of Study – Total Min. Hours: 121
The following is a recommended program of study for completion of the degree plan in the minimum semester hours for the Bachelor of Science in Earth Science. Additional requirements may be prescribed for specialized areas, i.e. certain minor requirements, preparaton for graduate school, certifications or licensures. Please see a program advisor or the department chair for details.
Students desiring certification to teach secondary school science in Texas should complete: PEDG 3310, 3320, 3350, 3351, 4340, 4950, READ 3326, PEDG 3380, 4380, 4950. Students are advised to consult with the Director of Certification in the College of Education and Human Development regarding current requirements for teaching certification.
The Department of Geology offers three minor degree programs: Geology, Earth Science and Space Science. The programs require 21 hours, a minimum of nine of which must be in upper-division courses. The course options for individual programs are described below.
Minor in Geology
Twenty-one credit hours required, no grade less than “C"
Required lower division courses (12 hours):
Upper division courses (9 hours):
Twenty-one credits hours required, no grade less than a "C"
Required lower division courses (12 hours):
Upper division courses (9 hours):
Twenty-one credits hours, no grade less than a "C"
Must have taken at least three (12 hours) of the following required lower division courses:
Upper division courses (9 hours):
The Department of Earth and Space Sciences offers graduate courses to be used primarily as a support to other advanced degree programs.These may be found in section 14.