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Majors, Minors, and Programs

Just an hour from Washington, D.C., UMW is a small school with growing diversity and passionate master teachers. Our liberal arts and sciences curriculum – with more than 60 majors, minors, and courses of study – will challenge your mind and let you explore.

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Geology

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For you, it’s not enough to know that a mountain, ocean, or crater exists. You have to know why the Earth’s physical features are where they are, and how they came to be. If you’re fascinated by the Earth’s physical structures and processes, and you want to do some of your learning outdoors and on location, UMW’s geology major may be your niche. Here — beside the Rappahannock River and just a short drive from the Chesapeake Bay or the Shenandoah Valley — you’ll get one-on-one time with our master teachers, and you’ll take a range of courses that will help you find your passion. Our strong liberal arts program will help you develop the critical-thinking, problem-solving, and communications skills you’ll need to begin your geology career or pursue an advanced degree.

Degree Awarded

Students majoring in Geology who complete all requirements earn the degree of Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Environmental Science and Geology.

Areas of Study

Geology majors build on the principles of chemistry, physics, biology, and mathematics in their quest to understand our planet. Major course offerings include paleontology, oceanography, mineralogy, petrology, fluvial geomorphology, plate tectonics, structural geology, and climate history and reorganizations through time.

Internships

In recent years, UMW geology and other environmental sciences majors have served internships with the City of Fredericksburg, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Friends of the Rappahannock, Marstel-Day LLC, the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Greenpeace, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and more.

Honors

Students with a 3.0 overall grade-point average and a 3.25 average in geology courses may pursue honors in geology or environmental geology by completing an independent research project and writing and defending a thesis.

Requirements

The geology major requires 36 credits including core geology courses and upper-level geology electives. With advisor approval, certain chemistry or environmental sciences classes may count toward the major.

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Special Majors

Students also have the option to design a special major that combines courses from two or more academic disciplines into a coherent plan of study. Special majors are developed with a faculty advisor and approved by a curriculum committee. Examples of some of the special majors UMW students have developed are journalism, digital media studies, Italian studies, linguistics, biochemistry, communication, arts management, and Latin American studies.

Honors Program

The undergraduate Honors Program offers advanced students the opportunity to engage in rigorous honors designated coursework, interdisciplinary seminars, strong internship experiences, extended research and creative projects, and community service as part of a supportive community of learners.

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