"Earth and Planetary Sciences" text placed on top of a decorative photo collage of the five main UC Davis EPS research disciplines.

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. 

Geology Major and Minor Courses

Many upper division major and minor classes are offered once per year or once every other year. Check when each GEL major and minor class is offered.

4-year Students | GEL Sample Academic Plans

The following are sample academic plans for first-year Geology B.S. majors. A.B. plans will have fewer classes. 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. 

The full structure series (101/L-103-110A) is offered in the 2023-2024 year, or the 2025-2026 year, etc. Take these classes junior year if you’ve completed the physics prerequisites by then. The full petrology series (60-105-109/L-110B) is offered in the 2024-2025 year, or 2026-2027, etc. Take these classes junior year if you’ve completed the chemistry prerequisites by then. Split up taking the structure and petrology series to keep a balanced schedule.

 

Fall - Year 1WinterSpringSummer
Entry-Level Writing (if needed) (0-6)MAT 017B or 019B or 021B (3-4)MAT 017C or 019C or 021C (3-4) 
Preparatory Math or MAT 017A or 019A or 021A (0-4)CHE 002B (5)CHE 002C (instead of GEL 55) (5) 
Preparatory Chemistry or CHE 002A (3-5)General Education (3+)GEL 050 (3) 
First-Year Seminar (optional) (1-2)Total: 12+ unitsGEL 050L (2) 
Total: 12-15 units Total: 12+ units 
    
Fall - Year 2WinterSpringSummer
MAT 022A – unless doing 017 or 021 series (0-3)PHY 007A or 009A (4-5)PHY 007B or 009B (4-5) 
MAT 22AL – if taking 22A (0-1)GEL 053 or 003 (3)STA 013 or 032 or 100 (4) 
Lower Division College English (4)General Education (3+)General Education (3+) 
General Education (3+)Total: 12+ unitsTotal: 12+ units 
Total: 12+ units   
    
Fall - Year 3WinterSpringSummer
PHY 007C or 009C (instead of GEL 056) (4-5)GEL 105 (4)GEL 108 (3)GEL 110B (4)
GEL 060 (4)Upper Div GEL Elective (3)GEL 109 (3)Units for financial aid (2+)
UWP 101/102/104/UDCE (0-4)Upper Div GEL Elective (3)GEL 109L (2)Total: 4+ units
General Education (3+)General Education (3+)General Education (3+) 
Total: 12+ unitsTotal: 12+ unitsTotal: 12+ units 
    
Fall - Year 4WinterSpringSummer
GEL 107 (3)GEL 101 (3)GEL 103 (4)GEL 110A (4)
GEL 107L (2)GEL 101L (2)Upper Div GEL Elective (3)Units for financial aid (2+)
Upper Div GEL Elective (3)Upper Div GEL Elective (3)General Education (3+)Total: 4+ units
Upper Div GEL Elective (3)Upper Division units (4)Upper Division units (0-8) 
Total: 12+ unitsTotal: 12+ unitsTotal: 12+ units 

Total graduation units: 180 (64 upper division)

Updated April 2024

Geology B.S. Sample Academic Plan (pdf) revised 12/2023
Geology A.B. Sample Academic Plan (pdf) revised 12/2023

2-year Transfer Students | GEL Sample Academic Plans

The following are sample academic plans for 2-year transfer Geology B.S. majors. A.B. plans will have fewer classes. 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. 

The full structure series (101/L-103-110A) is offered in the 2023-2024 year, or the 2025-2026 year, etc. Take these classes junior year if you’ve completed the physics prerequisites by then. The full petrology series (60-105-109/L-110B) is offered in the 2024-2025 year, or 2026-2027, etc. Take these classes junior year if you’ve completed the chemistry prerequisites by then. Split up taking the structure and petrology series to keep a balanced schedule.

 

Fall - Year 1WinterSpringSummer
GEL 060 (4)GEL 105 (4)GEL 108 (3)GEL 110B (4)
Upper Div GEL Elective (3)Upper Div GEL Elective (3)GEL 109 (3)Units for financial aid (2+)
UWP 101/102/104/UDCE (0-4)Upper Div GEL Elective (3)GEL 109L (2)Total: 4+ units
Total: 12-15 unitsTotal: 12+ unitsTotal: 12+ units 
    
Fall - Year 2WinterSpringSummer
GEL 107 (3)GEL 101 (3)GEL 103 (4)GEL 110A (4)
GEL 107L (2)GEL 101L (2)Upper Div GEL Elective (3)Units for financial aid (2+)
Upper Division units (4)Upper Div GEL Elective (3)Upper Div GEL Elective (3)Total: 4+ units
Total: 12+ unitsUpper Division units (4)Upper Division units (0-4) 
 Total: 12+ unitsTotal: 12+ units 

Total graduation units: 180 (64 upper division)

Updated April 2024

Geology B.S. Sample Academic Plan for Transfers (pdf) revised 12/2023
Geology A.B. Sample Academic Plan for Transfers  (pdf) revised 12/2023

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 045—Computational 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)