Geology
Bachelor of Science in Geology and Minor in Geology
From the Moon to Mars, geologists play a vital role in understanding Earth and beyond. Your geology degree from UTC prepares you for dynamic and diverse careers in areas ranging from environmental consulting to resource extraction to planetary science and more. For over 80 years, UTC's Geology program has built a tradition of excellence in undergraduate education, equipping students with core content knowledge, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills to tackle today's most pressing Earth issues while empowering you to serve your community and make a meaningful impact.
No matter where your interests take you, our program gives you the flexibility to tailor your Geology degree to your future:
- High-Interest Classes at UTC
- Environmental Geology
- Field Methods in Structural Geology
- Geology of Tennessee
- Geomorphology
- Introductory Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing
- Mineralogy
- Paleontology
- Remote Sensing for Geoscientists
- Critical Issues Geoscientists Face
- Climate change and its effects that can only be understood in the context of the whole Earth and its history following a bottom-up approach.
- Seismic (earthquake) hazards such as those faced as part of the East Tennessee Seismic Zone. A full understanding of the mechanisms and probabilities of seismic events are important to regional inhabitants, and nuclear power and dam safety.
- Landslides, sinkholes, flooding, river erosion, and drought and their impact assessments and mitigation strategy.
- Urban growth and its environmental impacts such as urban heat island impact (UHI) and the effects on the quality and quantity of the water resources (surface and ground water).
- Energy resource challenges and the Energy Transition include the identification and extraction of coal, oil, and natural gas. Environmental impacts of these and renewable energy sites such as solar and wind farms are better understood from a geological perspective when evaluating environmental impacts. Carbon storage solutions are also critical for the future of long-term habitability of the planet.
- The introduction, migration, and mitigation of environmental contaminants on the surface and subsurface can be understood through the surficial and subsurface geology, fracture linkage, soil and aquifer materials, and mineral interactions. Hydrological modeling is also critical in understanding flow of contaminants. For more information about what you can do with a degree in Geology visit the Bureau of Labor and Statistics and the American Geoscience Institute.
- Student Organizations
- Reach Out for Academic Advising
In Geology, all advising/career mentoring occurs with the faculty. This includes all BS Geology degrees, including Environmental Geology, Geoarchaeology, Geohydrology, Geospatial Science, and Geology STEM Education.
Geology FAQs
- Why is UTC's Location Ideal for Studying Geology?
UTC itself is located on carbonate and siliciclastic sedimentary rocks of the Valley and Ridge Province. Sandstone and conglomerate exposures atop the Cumber Plateau are about 15 km west of campus, metamorphic rocks of the Blue Ridge and the Piedmont provinces and igneous rocks east of the mid-province of the Blue Ridge are within half an hour to two-hour trip from the main campus, and folds and faults (brittle and ductile) are likewise located within 100 km of the campus. All the rich and diverse geological landscapes of the Chattanooga area make it ideal for an urban classroom.
- What Hands-On and Field Experiences Does the Program Offer?
Our program takes advantage of the surrounding world-class geological setting to explore and learn. Most of our core geology coursework includes at least one field trip. Field trips range from afternoon trips to 10-day international excursions. Each spring we offer a course titled Geology Field Experience that spends the semester learning about the Geology of a location, then traveling to that destination. The class runs to the desert southwest of the United States in odd years, and an international location during even years. For over 30 years, the international destination has included Costa Rica. More recently, the course has traveled to Spain and Scotland.
Most of our upper-level courses also have an experience or ‘lab’ component. Students have access to preparation and analytical equipment for course projects and for individual and capstone research projects using facilities housed in both Grote and Holt Halls.
- Does Every Student Complete a Research Project?
The B.S. Geology degree requires all majors to complete a research project as part of a 2-course capstone experience. The first semester of their senior year, students complete GEOL 4800 (Research Design) where they design their own research project. The following semester, students collect data, report on preliminary results and conclusions of their research in GEOL 4900 (Senior Research Experience). Students also have the opportunity to work with faculty on their research and present results at the UTC Research and Arts Conference and regional and national meetings of the Geological Society of America.
- What Research and Analytical Facilities are Available in the Geology Department?
The Geology Division has in-house equipment and analytical instruments for the preparation of geological and hydrological samples. This equipment includes:
- Rock Cutting and Thin Section Preparation
- X-Ray Fluorescence Analyzer
- Petrographic and Reflected Light Microscope
- Ion Chromatograph
- MALA Geoscience X3M Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) System with 500 MHz, 250 MHz, and 100 MHz
- Frantz Magnetic Separator
- Shaker Table
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