American Univesity of Beirut

Undergraduate Programs

​​​Programs

The Department of Geology offers programs leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Geology, and Master of Science degrees in certain areas of the vast field of geological sciences. It also offers a more broadly based program leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Geosciences. Students wishing to major in geology or Petroleum Geosciences must secure the approval of the department. In addition, students must have a strong background in sciences and have taken the freshman science program or its equivalent.

The department also offers the following undergraduate elective courses: GEO L 101, GEOL 102, GEOL 103, GEOL 104, GEOL 201, GEOL 206, GEOL 209, and GEOL227 in the area of general geology, and GEOL 205 in environmental geology.

Field trips are required parts of most geology courses.

Program Learning Outcomes

  • Explain concepts and processes in Earth sciences (Earth as a complex and dynamic system, Chronology, Surface and subsurface processes, Earth materials, Earth structure, Water Science, Natural resources, and Climate change).
  •  Apply laboratory, fieldwork, and quantitative/computational skills needed to collect, and analyze data for addressing geoscience problems, with emphasis on methodological limitations, accuracy, and uncertainty.
  • Build conceptual models of geological processes for specific application areas (such as resource exploration, hazard assessment, and emerging environmental issues).
  •  Recognize Earth Sciences as an interdisciplinary field with a diversity of application tracks.
  • Integrate acquired knowledge of earth science concepts and processes, and skills in a professional context.
  • Communicate scientific knowledge and reasoning orally and in writing, through presentations, term papers, and scientific reports.

BS Degree-Undergraduate Program  

Geology majors must attain an average of 70 in major courses during the first three semesters in order to remain in the program. Majors must complete the following courses, in which a general average of 70 or more must be maintained: GEOL 201, GEOL 202, GEOL 203, GEOL 210, GEOL 211, GEOL 212, GEOL 213, GEOL 214, GEOL 219, GEOL 221, GEOL 222, GEOL 224, and GEOL 229, which is a total of 40 credits. In addition, three required elective courses - CMPS 209 (or a 200-level CMPS course), and 200-level economics and education courses (6 credits) - must be completed. No course may be taken without its prerequisite unless authorized by the departmental faculty. Students are encouraged to take additional geology courses such as GEOL 205, GEOL 207, GEOL 215, or GEOL 225, and also courses from the graduate level, provided other requirements permit.

The requirements for a BS degree in Geology are 90 credits for students entering the department at the sophomore level, including 40 credits in the major. The distribution of university requirements is as follows:


University Requirements

The core courses of the Petroleum Geosciences program (totaling 58 credits) are GEOL 201, GEOL 202, GEOL 203, GEOL 211, GEOL 212, GEOL 213, GEOL 214, GEOL 219, GEOL 221, GEOL 222, GEOL 225, GEOL 229; CHEM 201, CHEM 208; ACCT 210, MNGT 215, MKTG 210, and ECON 203. In addition, a required elective course, CMPS 209 (or a 200-level CMPS course) must be completed.

Petroleum Geosciences majors must attain a grade of 70 or more in GEOL 201, and GEOL 203, and also pass the next two geology courses with a grade of 70 or more.

The requirements for a BS degree in Petroleum Geosciences are 90 credits for students entering the department at the sophomore level, including 37 credits of geology courses, 6 credits of chemistry courses, 9 credits of business courses, and 3 credits in economics. The distribution of university requirements is as follows:

  • University Language Requirements: English (6 cr) and Arabic (3 cr)
  • University General Education requirements: Humanities (12 cr), Social Sciences (6 cr), Natural Sciences (9 cr), and quantitative thought (3 cr).
  • To obtain a minor in geology, students must complete the following core courses: GEOL 201, GEOL 202, GEOL 203, and GEOL 205, and two of the following elective courses: GEOL 210, GEOL 211, and GEOL 222 (for a total of 16 credits).


Courses

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