All courses in geology that are prerequisites for other courses in the major must be passed with a grade of C or better before proceeding in the sequence. For example, Geosciences 1 is a prerequisite for Geosciences 30. Students who choose the Geology major study the structure, composition, and history of the earth and in particular, its crust-the earth's immediate surface and underlying rocks. Geologists examine rocks and minerals in order to formulate and test theories on natural processes affecting the earth and to explore for mineral resources. They may also study fossil remains of animal and plant life and observe the flow of fluids and gases through rocks to determine the ages and rates of change of various parts of the earth's crust, as well as the possibility of oil and gas deposits.
Geologists also determine sources of groundwater and possible contamination effects.
All students majoring in geology are normally required to take the core curriculum, common to both options. They make measurements of gravity and magnetic fields, seismic waves, temperatures, and natural electric current. Geophysicists study these topics from the standpoint of the physics of solid bodies, gases, and fluids. Some geophysicists are field oriented, some laboratory oriented, some theoretical, and some combine these areas. Spatial and temporal variations in physical phenomena and human activities, their interactions, and the processes producing spatial distributions are major concerns of Geography.