"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 Geology 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. 

Major courses by quarter

OASIS Academic Planning 

 uAchieve

Geology B.S. Major Requirements

Geology A.B. Major Requirements

Additional Coursework to Consider

  • 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.
    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.
    STS 115—Adventures in Data Science (4 units) GE credit: OL. Learn data science, including R. Consider taking it's next class, STS 195 where you work on real data science projects, and then even get involved in an internship. 
    TAE 020—Sustainable Energy Technologies (4 units).
  • Courses in water-related fields
  • See the list of courses in water-related fields. 
  • 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.
    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)