Planning your GEL Major

Your path to a GEL Major

The Geology major at UC Davis begins with preparatory science coursework in math, chemistry, physics, statistics, and of course geology. The required major courses then span foundational geology topics such as mineralogy, petrology, structural geology, earth history, and field work. Students get to take electives to fill out the rest of their major requirements, in areas such as geophysics, planetary science, geochemistry, oceanography, natural hazards, environmental science, and more. Bachelor's of Science students finish their degree with capstone Summer Field courses. 

4-year Students | GEL Sample Academic Plans

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+)
SeniorPetrology 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

2-year Transfer Students | GEL Sample Academic Plans

The following are sample academic plans for 2-year transfer Geology B.S. majors. They assume you've completed the preparatory coursework. 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 for Transfers (pdf) revised 12/2023
Geology A.B. Sample Academic Plan for Transfers  (pdf) revised 12/2023


There are 2 options for Transfer Students
Example 1: Structure coursework first | Example 2: Petrology coursework first


GEL Transfer 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 Academic Year | Structure coursework
  • Fall Quarter Total: 12-15 units
    • Geology 107: Paleobiology (3)
    • Geology 107L: Paleobiology Lab (2)
    • Upper Division Geology Elective (3)
    • UWP 101 or 102 or 104 or UDCE
  • Winter Quarter Total: 12+ units
    • Geology 101: Structural Geology (3)
    • Geology 101L: Structural Geology Lab (2)
    • Upper Division Geology Elective (3)
  • Spring Quarter Total: 12+ units
    • Geology 103: Spring Field Geology (4)
    • Upper Division Geology Elective (3)
    • Upper Division Geology Elective (3)
  • Summer Total: 0-8 units
    • Geology 110A: Summer Field Geology (4)
    • Units for financial aid (2+)
Senior Academic Year | Petrology coursework
  • Fall Quarter Total: 12+ units
    • Geology 60: Earth Materials (4)
    • Upper Division Geology Elective (3)
    • Upper Division units (4)
  • Winter Quarter Total: 12+ units
    • Geology 105: Igneous Rocks (4)
    • 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 (0-4)
  • Summer Total: 0-8 units
    • Geology 110B: Summer Field Geology (4)
    • Units for financial aid (2+)

GEL Transfer 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 Academic Year | Petrology coursework 
  • Fall Quarter Total: 12-15 units
    • Geology 60: Earth Materials (4)
    • 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)
  • Spring Quarter Total: 12+ units
    • Geology 108: Paleoclimates (3)
    • Geology 109: Sediments and Strata (3)
    • Geology 109L: Sediments and Strata Lab (2)
  • Summer Total: 0-8 units
    • Geology 110B: Summer Field Geology (4)
    • Units for financial aid (2+)
Senior Academic Year | Structure coursework
  • Fall Quarter Total: 12+ units
    • Geology 107: Paleobiology (3)
    • Geology 107L: Paleobiology Lab (2)
    • Upper Division units (4)
  • 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)
    • Upper Division Geology Elective (3)
    • Upper Division units (0-4)
  • Summer Total: 0-8 units
    • Geology 110A: Summer Field Geology (4)
    • Units for financial aid (2+)

Updated December 2023

Required major courses

  • GEL 50/50L - taught Fall, Winter, Spring
  • GEL 53 - taught every Winter
  • GEL 55 - no longer taught (take CHE 2C instead)
  • GEL 56 - no longer taught (take PHY 7C or 9C instead)
  • GEL 60 - taught every Fall (not in 2025)
  • GEL 101/101L - taught every Winter
  • GEL 103 - taught every Spring (not in 2027)
    • Field trips are April 13-14, May 3-5, and May 30-June 2, 2024
  • GEL 105 - taught every Winter (not in 2026)
  • GEL 107 - taught Fall 2023, Winter 2024, Summer Session 1 2024, Summer Session 2 2024, Fall 2024, Winter 2025
  • GEL 107L - taught Fall 2023, Winter 2024, Fall 2024, Winter 2025
  • GEL 108 - taught every Spring
  • GEL 109/109L - taught every Spring 
  • GEL 110A - taught Summer Special Session 2024, 2026, etc (during Summer Session 1 dates), approximately mid-June to early July. Students can take GEL 110A and 110B in the same summer. 
  • GEL 110B - taught Summer Special Session 2024, 2025, 2027 (during Summer Session 1 dates), approximately mid-July to the end of July. Students can take GEL 110A and 110B in the same summer. 

Upper Division Electives

The upper division electives are not restricted to geology (GEL) courses but must be chosen to provide a relevant, coherent, and in-depth program of study. 

  • Choose from courses GEL 130-194 or pre-selected non-GEL courses.
  • Only one of GEL/EDU 181 or 183 or 185A or 185B or 186 may be applied toward elective credit.
  • No more than three units of upper division elective credit for courses GEL 115-120.
  • No more than six units of upper division elective credit for GEL 192 or 194A-B or 194HA-HB.
    • Students who receive approval to do a senior thesis for part of the capstone requirement may not use 194A-B or 194HA-HB for the upper division elective courses.
  • Pre-selected non-GEL courses:
    • CHE 100 – Environmental Water Chemistry (3 units). Offered every Winter.
    • ECI 171+171L – Soil Mechanics (5 units). Offered Winter and Spring.
    • ECI 175 – Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering (4 units). Offered every Fall.
    • ESM 100 – Principles of Hydrologic Science (4 units). Offered every Fall.
    • ESM 186 – Environmental Remote Sensing (5 units). Offered every Winter.
    • ESP 152 – Coastal Oceanography (3 units). Offered Summer Session 2 at Bodega Marine Lab (application required).
    • HYD 144 – Groundwater Hydrology (4 units). Offered every Fall.
    • HYD 146 – Hydrogeology and Contaminant Transport (5 units). Rarely offered.
    • LDA 150/ABT 150 – Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (4 units). Offered every quarter.
    • Cross-enrollment online class at UCLA: Geography 168 – Intermediate GIS (4 units) (this course counts as UC Davis’ LDA/ABT 150, so students cannot take both).
    • SSC 100 – Principles of Soil Science (5 units). Offered every Fall.
    • WFC 102+102L – Ecogeomorphology (1 unit) / Lab (6 units). Offered some Spring quarters.
    • Other courses in related fields must be approved in advance by the major advisor.
Upper Division Electives list:
  • Academic Year 2022-2023 Upper Division electives
  • Academic Year 2022-2024 (pdf; updated 07/18/2022)
    Summer 2022
    • GEL 150C - Biological Oceanography (4) Hill
    Fall 2022
    • GEL 131 - Risks and Natural Hazards (3) Rundle
    • GEL 163 - Planetary Geology and Geophysics (3) Stewart
    • GEL 181 - Math and Science Teaching – Middle School (2) Salim
    • GEL 183 - Math and Science Teaching – High School (3) Pinter
    • GEL 186 - Learning Assistant Seminar (1) Stevenson
    • GEL 190 - Seminar (1) Rudolph
    Winter 2023
    • GEL 141 - Evolutionary History of Vertebrates (3) Motani
    • GEL 148 - Stable Isotopes and Tracers (3) Atekwana
    • GEL 150B - Geological Oceanography (3) Griffin
    • GEL 162 - Geophysics of the Solid Earth (3) Rudolph
    • GEL 181 - Math and Science Teaching – Middle School (2) Salim
    • GEL 183 - Math and Science Teaching – High School (3) Pinter
    • GEL 186 - Learning Assistant Seminar (1) Stevenson
    • GEL 190 - Seminar (1) Mukhopadhyay
    Spring 2023
    • GEL 116N - Oceanography (3) Griffin
    • GEL 120 - Big Bang to Today (3) Osleger
    • GEL 134 - Environmental Geology and Land Use Planning (3) Oskin
    • GEL 146 - Radiogenic Isotope Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry (3) Yin
    • GEL 161 - Geophysical Field Methods (3) Billen
    • GEL 181 - Math and Science Teaching – Middle School (2) Salim
    • GEL 183 - Math and Science Teaching – High School (3) Pinter
    • GEL 186 - Learning Assistant Seminar (1) Stevenson
    • GEL 190 - Seminar (1) Pinter

      Updated December 2022
  • Academic Year 2023-2024 Upper Division electives
  • Academic Year 2022-2024 (pdf; updated 07/18/2022)
    Summer 2023
    • GEL 150C - Biological Oceanography (4) Hill
    Fall 2023
    • GEL 131 - Risks and Natural Hazards (3) Rundle
    • GEL 140 - Introduction to Process Geomorphology (4) Pinter
      GEL 144 - Historical Ecology (3) Grettenberger
    • GEL 181 - Math and Science Teaching – Middle School (2) Salim
    • GEL 183 - Math and Science Teaching – High School (3) Pinter
    • GEL 186 - Learning Assistant Seminar (1) Stevenson
    • GEL 190 - Seminar (1) TBD
    Winter 2024
    • GEL 116N - Oceanography (3) Griffin
    • GEL 133 - Environmental Geochemistry (3) Mukhopadhyay
    • GEL 141 - Evolutionary History of Vertebrates (3) Motani
    • GEL 146 - Radiogenic Isotope Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry (3) Yin
    • GEL 160 - Geological Data Analysis (3) Rudolph
    • GEL 181 - Math and Science Teaching – Middle School (2) Salim
    • GEL 183 - Math and Science Teaching – High School (3) Pinter
    • GEL 186 - Learning Assistant Seminar (1) Stevenson
    Spring 2024
    • GEL 120 - Big Bang to Today (3) Osleger
    • GEL 150A - Physical and Chemical Oceanography (4) Gaylord
    • GEL 150B - Geological Oceanography (3) Griffin
    • GEL 181 - Math and Science Teaching – Middle School (2) Salim
    • GEL 183 - Math and Science Teaching – High School (3) Pinter
    • GEL 186 - Learning Assistant Seminar (1) Stevenson

    • Updated November 2023
  • Academic Year 2024-2025 Upper Division electives
  • Summer 2024
    • GEL 150C - Biological Oceanography (4) Hill
    Fall 2024
    • GEL 131 - Risks and Natural Hazards (3) Rundle
    • GEL 140 - Introduction to Process Geomorphology (4) Pinter
    • GEL 150A - Physical and Chemical Oceanography (4) Largier (taught at Bodega Marine Lab)
      GEL 181 - Math and Science Teaching – Middle School (2) Salim
    • GEL 183 - Math and Science Teaching – High School (3) Pinter
    • GEL 186 - Learning Assistant Seminar (1) Stevenson
    Winter 2025
    • GEL 116N - Oceanography (3) Griffin
    • GEL 141 - Evolutionary History of Vertebrates (3) Motani
    • GEL 181 - Math and Science Teaching – Middle School (2) Salim
    • GEL 183 - Math and Science Teaching – High School (3) Pinter
    • GEL 186 - Learning Assistant Seminar (1) Stevenson
    Spring 2025
    • GEL 120 - Big Bang to Today (3) Osleger
    • GEL 150B - Geological Oceanography (3) Palmer
    • GEL 161 - Geophysical Field Methods (3) Billen
      GEL 181 - Math and Science Teaching – Middle School (2) Salim
    • GEL 183 - Math and Science Teaching – High School (3) Pinter
    • GEL 186 - Learning Assistant Seminar (1) Stevenson

    • Updated November 2023

Summer Field

  • Visit the classes page for details about Summer Field classes

Additional Coursework

  • Mapping courses to careers
  • Read about recommended coursework that aligns with different career paths within the geosciences at eps.ucdavis.edu/sustainability.
  • Other courses to consider
  • ABT 060—Introduction to Unmanned Aerial Systems for Agriculture & Environmental Science (4 units)
    ABT 182—Environmental Analysis Using GIS (4 units) 
    ECI 016—Spatial Data Analysis (2 units) Teaches CAD and GIS. No prerequisites. Offered in Spring.
    ECS 032A—Introduction to Programming (4 units) Designed for non-majors. Introduction to programming and problem solving in Python. Usually offered F, W, Sp.
    ECS 032B—Introduction to Data Structures (4 units) Designed for non-majors. Design and analysis of data structures using Python; trees, heaps, searching, sorting, and graphs. Usually offered F, W, Sp.
    ECS 032C—Implementation of Data Structures in C (4 units) Designed for non-majors. Programming in the C language. Use of basic UNIX tools. Writing good programs of increased complexity and efficiency. Implementation of data structures in C. Offered Fall.
    ECS 034—Good for students who want more programming experience. Uses C/C++ and UNIX. 
    ECS 036 series—Only open to CS majors. 
    ENG 006—Engineering Problem Solving (4 units) – appropriate for non-engineering majors. A good introduction to programming and MATLAB.
    PHY 040—Introduction to Physics Computation (3 units). Assumes no prior knowledge of programming. Introduction to programming using C++ with examples from computational physics. Introduction to modern tools used for scientific analysis, including Scientific computing with Python and either SymPy or Mathematica. Offered each Fall. 
    PHY 045Computational Physics (4 units). Algorithms and programming techniques of computational physics with applications from introductory physics (PHY 9 series). Taught in C++; algorithms; no OOP. Offered each Winter
    TAE 020
    —Sustainable Energy Technologies (4 units).
  • General Education courses to consider
  • GE Chart for Geology majors

    CRD 149 — Community Development Perspectives on Environmental Justice (4 units) - includes a global learning focus!
    ESP 174—Environmental Justice Policy & Practice (4 units) GE credit: SS, DD, WE
    ESP/ARE 175—Natural Resource Economics (4 units) GE credit: SS
    HIS/STS 002—Introduction to the History of Science & Technology (4 units) GE credit: AH, SS, SL, WC, WE
    HIS 108—Global Environmental History (4 units) GE credit: AH, SS
    HIS 157—Business, Biomes & Knowledge: Latin American Environmental History (4 units) GE credit: SS, WC, WE
    HIS 178—Water in the West: Environment & Politics in America's Arid Lands (4 units) GE credit: AH, ACGH, WE
    HYD 150—Water Law (3 units) GE credit: ACGH, SS.
    NAS 161—California Indian Environmental Policy I (4 units) GE credit: ACGH, DD, SS, WE. No prerequisites. Offered Spring of odd-numbered years.
    NAS 162—California Indian Environmental Policy II (4 units) GE credit: ACGH, DD, SS, WE. No prerequisites.
    PHI 030 — Introduction to Philosophy of Science (4 units) GE credit: AH, SE, SL, WE
    PLS 021—Application of Computers in Technology (3 units). Teaches Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other useful technologies.
    POL 012B—Climate Change & Politics (4 units) GE credit: SS, WE
    POL 107 — Environmental Politics & Administration (4 units) GE credit: SS, ACGH, QL, WE
    POL 171 — The Politics of Energy (4 units)
    SAS 009 — Crisis in the Environment (3 units)
    SAS 010 — Water, Power, Society (3 units)
    SAS 018—GIS & Society (3 units) GE credit: QL, SE, SL, SS, VL
    SAS 025 — Global Climate Change: Convergence of Biological, Geophysical, & Social Sciences (4 units)
    SAS 042 — Earth, Water, Science, Song (3 units)
    SOC 160 — Sociology of the Environment (4 units)
    STS 001—Introduction to Science, Technology & Medicine Studies (4 units) GE credit: SS, WE. Learn how society and science affect each other
    STS 011—Science on Trial: Law, Science, & Technology in the United States (4 units) GE credit: ACGH, SS. An introduction to law and science in America.
    STS 101—Data & Society (4 units) GE credit: QL, SS. Learn to analyze and visualize data about some of today's most challenging social problems. Add data analysis to your portfolio of skills.
    UWP 049 — Writing Research Papers (4 units)
    UWP 104E—Writing in the Professions: Science (4 units)
    UWP 111C—Specialized Topics in Journalism: Science Journalism (4 units)