Geoscience at Iowa is a nationally ranked program recognized for state-of-the-art equipment, an enthusiastic faculty, and abundant opportunities for undergraduate research projects. Career opportunities are readily available for geoscience graduates. Professional geologists work in resource companies, environmental corporations, educational institutions, conservation agencies, urban planning, state and federal geological surveys, and government resource and research organizations.

Student Responsibilities

Review the responsibilities required to become and remain eligible for the 2 Plus 2 Guaranteed Graduation Plan.

Student Responsibilities

Kirkwood Community College checkpoints
  • Complete the fourth level of a single world language as needed for Iowa's General Education Program.
  • In consultation with an advisor, select one chemistry sequence:
    • CHM 110 Introduction to Chemistry
    • CHM 132 Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry

      -- OR --

    • CHM 165 General Chemistry I
    • CHM 175 General Chemistry II
  • In consultation with an advisor, select 10 semester hours of college-level mathematics as suggested by math placement, including computer science and statistics, from the following:
    • MAT 136 Trigonometry and Analytic Geometry
    • MAT 140 Finite Mathematics
    • MAT 150 Discrete Mathematics
    • MAT 157 Statistics
    • MAT 165 Business Calculus
    • MAT 175 Calculus for the Biological Sciences
    • MAT 210 Calculus I
    • MAT 216 Calculus II
    • MAT 219 Calculus III
    • CSC 142 Computer Science
    • CSC 153 Data Structures
    • CSC 160 Software Design and Development
    • CSC 175 Computer Organization and Assembly Language Programming
  • Complete both of the following:
    • PHS 170 Physical Geology
    • PHS 171 Physical Geology Lab
  • Complete all requirements for the AA degree.
  • When transferring to Iowa, present a cumulative transfer grade-point average (GPA) of at least 2.00 from all colleges attended.
University of Iowa Checkpoints
  • Complete the UI courses required for this major, as specified in the UI General Catalog.
  • Complete at least half of the remaining semester hours needed for your major and degree during each of your two years at Iowa. (A total of 35 semester hours is required for the geoscience major and 120 semester hours for the BA degree.)

A current schedule of UI courses is available online via Iowa Student Information Services (MyUI).