Bachelor of Science in Earth Sciences: Geology Emphasis – GEOL Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) Roadmap

This is a sample pathway for students who transfer to San Francisco State University in the current Bulletin year with an AS-T in Geology. Twenty-six units in the major (CHEM 115, CHEM 215, CHEM 216, ERTH 210, ERTH 500, ERTH 505, MATH 226, and 2 elective units) and all lower-division GE requirements have been satisfied. Additional units in the major may have been satisfied. Check with a major advisor about the most appropriate course sequence. Degree completion guaranteed in 60 units; see the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) section for more information.

To Do at SF State:

Enough total units to reach 120 minimum for graduation; 30 units minimum at the upper-division level; to include the following:

University-Wide Requirements: 9-15 units

  • American Institutions (0-6 units): US History, US Government, California State and Local Government requirements if not taken before transfer.
  • Upper-Division GE (9 units): Courses required for the major may double-count if approved for UD GE.
  • Students transferring with the AS-T in Geology are not required to fulfill SF State Studies or Complementary Studies requirements.

Earth Sciences Major (Emphasis in Geology): 39-44 units

CHEM 115, CHEM 215, CHEM 216, MATH 226, ERTH 210, ERTH 500, ERTH 505, and 2 units of Geology emphasis electives, 1 unit of 4 units of Historical Geology, and 1 unit of 4 units of Calculus II in the Geology AS-T met in transfer.

  • Basic Science & Math Foundation (8 units in PHYS): If some or all PHYS completed before transfer, consult with a major advisor about appropriate course choices.
  • Earth Sciences Core/GWAR (8 units): Three of the 4 units of Historical Geology in the AS-T substitute for ERTH 500, and 3 of the 4 units of Calculus II in the Geology AS-T substitute for ERTH 505.
  • Geology Emphasis (14 units)
  • Electives (5-9 units): One unit of 4 units of Historical Geology and 1 unit of Calculus II in the Geology AS-T satisfy 2 units of the 11 unit elective requirement; if taken before transfer, Mineralogy satisfies 4 units of the elective requirement. If Mineralogy completed before transfer, consult with major a advisor about appropriate course choices).
  • Culminating Experience (4-5 units): Take ERTH 690 (1 unit) along with one of the following three options: Senior Honors Thesis (ERTH 697/ERTH 698 (2 units each); Senior Project (ERTH 695, 3 units); or Field Geology course (4 units) offered as a summer field camp, typically the summer following the 4th semester.

University Electives: 4 or more units

Depends on course choices made at the community college, how transferred units are applied to the requirements above, Culminating Experience option selected, and course choices at SF State - some courses may meet more than one requirement, e.g., both in UD GE and in the major.

Plan of Study Grid
First SemesterUnits
ERTH 400 Earth Systems I (Major Core) 3
ERTH 420 Mineralogy and Petrology I (Major Emphasis) 4
Select One Set of Courses (Science and Math Foundation): 1 4
General Physics I
and General Physics I Laboratory (B1, B3)
General Physics with Calculus I
and General Physics with Calculus I Laboratory (B1, B3)
University Elective 4
 Units15
Second Semester
ERTH 205 Techniques in Earth Sciences (Major Core) 2
ERTH 600GW Earth's Climate History - GWAR (Major Core) 3
Select One Set of Courses (Science and Math Foundation): 1 4
General Physics II
and General Physics II Laboratory
General Physics with Calculus III
and General Physics with Calculus III Laboratory
Geology Emphasis Elective (9-10 units) - Take One 2 3
GE Area UD-C: Upper-Division Arts and/or Humanities 3
 Units15
Third Semester
ERTH 510 Structural Geology (Major Emphasis) 4
ERTH 515 Sedimentology and Stratigraphy (Major Emphasis) 4
ERTH 697 Undergraduate Research 3 2
or University Elective
Geology Emphasis Elective (9-10 units) - Take One 2 3
GE Area UD-D: Upper-Division Social Sciences 3
 Units16
Fourth Semester
ERTH 620 Field Methods in Geology (Major Emphasis) 2
ERTH 690 Earth Sciences Capstone Presentation (Major Culminating Experience) 1
Major Culminating Experience - Select One: 3 2-4
Senior Project
Senior Thesis
Field Geology 4
Geology Emphasis Elective (9-10 units) - Take One 2 3
GE Area UD–B: Upper Division Physical and/or Life Sciences 5 3
U.S. and California Government 3
or University Elective if US/CA Government met before transfer
 Units14-16
 Total Units60-62
1

PHYS 111/PHYS 112 are prerequisites for PHYS 121/PHYS 122. PHYS 220/PHYS 222 are prerequisites for PHYS 240/PHYS 242.

2

Geology Emphasis Electives (9-10 units)

Select (upon advisement) additional Geology emphasis electives needed to reach 34 units.

3

Take ERTH 697 if selecting Honors Thesis as the Major Culminating Experience. Take University Elective if selecting either ERTH 695 - Senior Project or Field Geology as the Major Culminating Experience.

4

Four unit Field Geology option typically takes place during the summer following the 4th semester.

5

Consult with a department advisor about selection of ERTH course for UD-B.