B.A. in Geological Sciences
The Bachelor of Arts in Geological Sciences is a great choice for students who want a classical arts and sciences degree spanning a diversity of subjects, or who are interested in a double major. Through the study of the natural sciences, social and behavioral sciences, and the humanities, students will learn how geological questions are raised and answered, and how the answers are used in the real world.
Why get a B.A. in geological sciences?
Students who are interested in earth sciences but do not plan to become professional geoscientists can achieve a more all-encompassing and well-rounded education through a bachelor of arts degree. The geosciences will be a feature rather than the focus of their degree, which will also include courses in the social sciences, natural sciences, visual and performing arts, foreign language, and interdisciplinary studies.
Career and graduate school opportunities
Equipped with a B.A. in Geological Sciences, students will be ready to pair their scientific knowledge with a complementary skillset, such as journalism, computer science, a foreign language, business, or history, among countless others. This interdisciplinary focus on the geosciences sets up graduates to explore a unique field of their choosing outside the confines of purely scientific pursuits. Students can also use the major to specialize more deeply in particular areas of the geosciences.
Careers and further study students will be ready for
- Business management
- Environmental law
- Medicine
- Science journalism/communications
- Park program management
- Environmental conservation
- Interdisciplinary research
- Urban development
- Museum curation
Degree requirements
This degree requires students to take an interdisciplinary array of courses, anchored by the geosciences. Students in this major are offered ample flexibility to take interdisciplinary courses of their choosing.
Major requirements
All B.A. in Geological Sciences students need to fulfill the following coursework for their degree.
Geosciences
Choose one of the following courses:
- GEO 401: Physical Geology
- GEO 303: Introduction to Geology
Take each of the following courses:
- GEO 405: Life Through Time
- GEO 416K: Earth Materials
- GEO 416M: Sedimentary Rocks
- GEO 420K: Introduction to Field and Stratigraphic Methods
Students must also take enough additional coursework to total 32 semester hours in geological sciences. Explore all GEO courses in the university’s course catalog.
Other subjects
- Six semester hours in biology
- Three semester hours in physics
- CH 301: Principles of Chemistry I
- CH 302: Principles of Chemistry II
The 2024-2026 B.A. in Geological Sciences degree plan is coming soon.
Past degree plans: 2022-2024 | 2020-2022 | 2018-2020 | 2016-2018 | 2014-2016
Next steps: Applying and transferring
Ready to start changing the world? If you’re a high school student interested in applying to the Jackson School of Geosciences to be a geological sciences major, please select Geological Sciences during the process of your undergraduate application to The University of Texas at Austin. Additional application information can be found on the UT Office of Admissions website and the Jackson School’s Admissions page.
Thinking of transferring to the Jackson School to be a geological sciences major? If you’re an undergraduate student already enrolled at The University of Texas at Austin, you may enter the Jackson School through an internal transfer process that occurs twice a year. Please visit the Jackson School’s Internal Transfers webpage for details about the internal transfer process, deadlines, and upcoming information session dates to learn more about our school and programs. We also encourage you to contact academic advising before you start this process.