Development of student skills and employment by graduates of the FHSU BS Geology program

The BS program in Geology has been offered by Fort Hays State University for over 40 years, almost entirely through on-campus instruction and organized field experiences. The program is divided into two parts: the core curriculum and the specialty areas. Within the core curriculum students obtain general knowledge and skills by mastering topics associated with introductory courses in calculus, chemistry and physics. This knowledge of cognate disciplines prepares the student to master the foundation knowledge in geology, including physical and historical geology, mineralogy, petrology and structural geology. Needed skills are obtained via laboratory experiences associated with physical and historical geology. After mastering the core curriculum, students complete a curriculum in one of the specialty areas of traditional, paleontology, environmental, technology, or petroleum geology. Completion of a focus in paleontology requires additional courses in biology, the environmental focus requires hydrology, the technology focus requires courses in computer applications and Geographic Information Systems, and the petroleum geology focus requires courses in petroleum geology and business.