The following are sample academic plans for first-year Geology B.S. majors. This information is provided for your convenience, but should be adjusted to each student's specific needs. These plans are not meant to replace a consultation with a major advisor, who can help you create a personalized academic plan. Classes are subject to change.
Classes in italics must stay in the quarter they’re listed, although not always in the year listed.
Geology B.S. Sample Academic Plan (pdf) revised 12/2023
Geology A.B. Sample Academic Plan (pdf) revised 12/2023
Year 1
- Fall Quarter Total: 12-15 units
- Winter Quarter Total: 12+ units
- Math 16B or 17B or 19B or 21B: Calculus (3-4)
- Chemistry 2B: General Chemistry (5)
- General Education (3+)
- Spring Quarter Total: 12+ units
- Math 16C or 17C or 19C or 21C: Calculus (3-4)
- Geology 50: Physical Geology (3)
- Geology 50L: Physical Geology Lab (2)
- Lower Division College English (4)
Year 2
- Fall Quarter Total: 12+ units
- Math 22A: Linear Algebra (3) - unless doing 17 or 21 series
- MAT 22AL – if taking 22A (1)
- CHE 2C: General Chemistry (5) (instead of GEL 55)
- General Education (3+)
- Winter Quarter Total: 12+ units
- Physics 7A or 9A: Physics (4-5)
- Geology 53: Geobiology (3) or GEL 3: History of Life (3)
- General Education (3+)
- Spring Quarter Total: 12+ units
- Physics 7B or 9B: Physics (4-5)
- STA 13 or 32 or 100: Statistics (4)
- General Education (3+)
There are 2 examples for Years 3 and 4:
Example 1: Structure Coursework first | Example 2: Petrology Coursework first
Year 3 and 4 Example 1: Structure coursework first
The full structure series (101/L-103-110A) is offered in the 2023-2024 year, or the 2025-2026 year, etc. Choose this option if you’ve completed the physics prerequisites by then. Split up taking the structure and petrology series to keep a balanced schedule.
Junior - Structure coursework
- Fall Quarter Total: 12+ units
- Physics 7C or 9C: Physics (4-5) (instead of GEL 56)
- Upper Division Geology Elective (3)
- UWP 101 or 102 or 104 or UDCE
- General Education (3+)
- Winter Quarter Total: 12+ units
- Geology 101: Structural Geology (3)
- Geology 101L: Structural Geology Lab (2)
- Upper Division Geology Elective (3)
- General Education (3+)
- Spring Quarter Total: 12+ units
- Geology 103: Spring Field Geology (4)
- Upper Division Geology Elective (3)
- General Education (3+)
- General Education (3+)
- Summer Total: 0-8 units
- Geology 110A: Summer Field Geology (4)
- Units for financial aid (2+)
Senior - Petrology coursework
- Fall Quarter Total: 12+ units
- Geology 60: Earth Materials (4)
- Geology 107: Paleobiology (3)
- Geology 107L: Paleobiology (2)
- Upper Division Geology Elective (3)
- Winter Quarter Total: 12+ units
- Geology 105: Igneous Rocks (4)
- Upper Division Geology Elective (3)
- Upper Division Geology Elective (3)
- Upper Division units (4)
- Spring Quarter Total: 12+ units
- Geology 108: Paleoclimates (3)
- Geology 109: Sediments and Strata (3)
- Geology 109L: Sediments and Strata Lab (2)
- Upper Division units (0-8)
- Summer Total: 0-8 units
- Geology 110B: Summer Field Geology (4)
- Units for financial aid (2+)
Year 3 and 4 Example 2: Petrology coursework first
The full petrology series (60-105-109/L-110B) is offered in the 2023-2024 year, or the 2024-2025 year, or 2026-2027, etc. Choose this option if you’ve completed the chemistry prerequisites by then. Split up taking the structure and petrology series to keep a balanced schedule.
Junior - Petrology coursework
- Fall Quarter Total: 12+ units
- Geology 60: Earth Materials (4)
- Physics 7C or 9C: Physics (4-5) (instead of GEL 56)
- Upper Division Geology Elective (3)
- UWP 101 or 102 or 104 or UDCE
- Winter Quarter Total: 12+ units
- Geology 105: Igneous Rocks (4)
- Upper Division Geology Elective (3)
- Upper Division Geology Elective (3)
- General Education (3+)
- Spring Quarter Total: 12+ units
- Geology 108: Paleoclimates (3)
- Geology 109: Sediments and Strata (3)
- Geology 109L: Sediments and Strata Lab (2)
- General Education (3+)
- Summer Total: 0-8 units
- Geology 110B: Summer Field Geology (4)
- Units for financial aid (2+)
Senior - Structure coursework
- Fall Quarter Total: 12+ units
- Geology 107: Paleobiology (3)
- Geology 107L: Paleobiology Lab (2)
- Upper Division Geology Elective (3)
- General Education (3+)
- Winter Quarter Total: 12+ units
- Geology 101: Structural Geology (3)
- Geology 101L: Structural Geology Lab (2)
- Upper Division Geology Elective (3)
- Upper Division units (4)
- Spring Quarter Total: 12+ units
- Geology 103: Spring Field Geology (4)
- Upper Division Geology Elective (3)
- General Education (3+)
- Upper Division units (0-8)
- Summer Total: 0-8 units
- Geology 110A: Summer Field Geology (4)
- Units for financial aid (2+)
Updated December 2023