Prospective Geology Students
When you choose to be a Geology major at UTC, you will benefit from:
- a coursework plan that prepares you to succeed after graduation,
- small class sizes in upper-level courses allowing for more individual attention from faculty,
- numerous field trips in classes and field-trip specific classes that can include international travel,
- hands-on learning in the lab and in the field,
- the completion of a research project designed by every student prior to graduation,
- the opportunity to work on new and exciting research with faculty.
How to earn your degree with us
Freshman entering at UTC:
You will be advised during your Freshman Orientation by a Geology Faculty and a plan will be developed for your path to graduation. Tackling as much math and science as you can in High School will put you in a great position to start your degree.
If you are changing your major to Geology or transferring from another college or university:
When entering the program from another institution or changing your major, your 4-year degree plan can be shortened if preparations are made prior to starting the program. For example, Physical Geology (GEOL 1110) and its lab (GEOL 1110L), and General Chemistry (CHEM 1110) and its lab (CHEM 1110L) should be completed prior to entering so that at least 1 year can be removed from the degree plan. If you have taken or plan to take these courses prior to coming to UTC make sure to check with the Registrar’s Office that what you have taken will transfer to these courses.
If Historical Geology (GEOL 1120) and its lab (GEOL 1120L) are offered, take it prior to transferring to UTC. Also, prepare by taking either Biology, Environmental Science, or Physics with their labs. Along with the core sciences, consider taking math courses that prepare you to enter Calculus (MATH 1950). If you have a math ACT score of (19) you can start by taking College Algebra (MATH 1130). You will also need this course to enroll in General Chemistry I (CHEM 1110). With an ACT score of 24 or higher, you can begin with MATH 1730 Combined Precalculus. If your ACT is 28 or above you may enroll directly into MATH 1950 Calculus with Analytical Geometry I.
It is important to contact a Geology faculty advisor if you are interested in transferring to this degree program. We can help you get squared away for an efficient transfer and help you to prepare for a shortened time earning the degree.
Are you already a UTC student and want to change your major to Geology?
Click here to fill out the form to change your major.
Graduate student opportunities
We currently do not offer a M.S. Degree in Geology. However, our department offers an M.S. degree in Environmental Science and some of our faculty teach graduate level courses and advise graduate students in that degree. If you are interested in the M.S. in Environmental Science at UTC, click here.
Please contact your Geology faculty advisor with any questions that you may have. It is important that as a Geology student, you meet with your faculty advisor at least twice a semester. You must meet with your faculty advisor to have your advising hold removed before registering for classes.
Career Maps
The program has compiled information about opportunities available as a Geology major from day one at UTC to your career opportunities after graduation. To access that information as a .pdf click here.