Geology program Catalog

(B.S., M.S.)

LEONARD R. BRAND, Program Coordinator for B.S. degree

FACULTY—B.S.

Leonard R. Brand
Douglas R. Britton
H. Paul Buchheim
Benjamin L. Clausen
Raul Esperante
Robert Ford
James L. Gibson
H. Thomas Goodwin
V. Leroy Leggit
Kevin E. Nick
H. PAUL BUCHHEIM, Jr., Program Coordinator for M.S. degree

FACULTY—M.S.

Leonard R. Brand
Douglas R. Britton
H. Paul Buchheim
Ronald L. Carter
Ben Clausen
Stephen G. Dunbar
Raul Esperante
Robert Ford
H. Thomas Goodwin
V. Leroy Leggitt
Kevin. E. Nick

GEOLOGY—B.S.

The Department of Earth and Biological Sciences in the School of Science and Technology offers a program leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in geology. This program provides the student with a field-oriented education, emphasizing the application of geological principles in interpreting data. Sedimentary geology, paleontology, and environmental geology are areas of emphasis within the department.

Objectives
The Geology Program focuses on field-oriented geology, particularly sedimentology, stratigraphy, and paleontology. The integrated core-course sequence of the geology degree provides students with a general background in geology as preparation for advanced courses in stratigraphy, sedimentology, paleontology, and environmental geology.

Fieldwork is emphasized because it provides the student with unique opportunities to examine geological phenomena beyond the classroom and laboratory. Throughout the geology curriculum, students are taught to apply the scientific method to resolve geologic problems. Students are encouraged to consider multiple working hypotheses during this process.

Scholarships and discounts for earth and biological science undergraduate students

A. ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS

1. Scholarships based on test results
   American College Test: ACT score of 30 or above, $3,000 (or 16% of tuition). For a student who maintains a cumulative G.P.A. of at least 3.5, the scholarship is renewable for successive years. Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT):
   • National Merit Finalist, 100% of tuition
   • National Merit Semifinalist, 34% of tuition
   • National Merit Commended, 20% of tuition.

For a student who maintains a 3.5 cumulative G.P.A., the scholarship is renewable for successive years. If a student qualifies for both an ACT and an SAT scholarship, the scholarship with the highest dollar value will apply.

2. Renewable G.P.A. scholarships (eligibility based on G.P.A. at the end of previous academic year)
   • G.P.A. between 3.75 and 4.00, $3,000 per year (or 16% of tuition)
   • G.P.A. between 3.50 and 3.74, $2,500 per year (or 13% of tuition)
   • G.P.A. between 3.25 and 3.49, $1,700 per year (or 9% of tuition)

If a student is eligible for a National Merit Scholarship and/or an ACT scholarship and a G.P.A. scholarship, the one scholarship with the highest dollar value will apply.

B. OTHER SCHOLARSHIPS

Loma Linda University Department of Earth and Biological Sciences (EBS) Faculty Scholarship

Scholarships of ten-to-thirty percent of tuition can be awarded by the EBS faculty to students with financial need and/or strong promise for future professional contribution. If awardees also qualify for other scholarships listed above, the scholarship with the highest dollar value will apply.

Minority Achievement Scholarship, $2,800 (or 15% of tuition), renewable.

This scholarship for underrepresented students will be based primarily on scholastic achievement and promise, and secondarily on financial need.

Summer Ministries Leadership Scholarships

These scholarships are available to students who work at an Adventist summer camp, in summer youth ministry, or in literature evangelism during the summer and then attend this University in the academic year immediately following such service. Loma Linda University will match 50 percent of all money earned in such work that is applied to the student’s tuition.

Student Missions/Task Force Scholarships

Student Missions/Task Force Scholarships, based on the amount of time served, are available to qualified students who attend this University the year following their term of service.

C. DISCOUNTS

Family discount

An immediate family with two dependent students attending Loma Linda University at the same time will receive a tuition-only discount of $400 (or 2% of tuition) per student, per quarter; with three or more students, the discount is $560 (or 3% of tuition) per student, per quarter.

Guidelines

• All scholarships and/or discounts cannot exceed costs for tuition.
• Scholarships and discounts will be applied as a credit to the student’s tuition account at the rate of one-third of the total per quarter and are available to full-time students only.
• Loss of scholarship money may result when a student does not maintain the minimum cumulative G.P.A. required by the particular scholarship.
• The last day of final tests for the first quarter that a student is enrolled at this University is the deadline for verifying with Student Financial Services that the student qualifies for a scholarship for the academic year.
• The scholarships and discounts listed above apply only to students enrolled in undergraduate programs in the Department of Earth and Biological Sciences.
• Determination of the amount of scholarships and awards at Loma Linda University is influenced by FAFSA data. State and federal grants, as well as other grants and subsidies, will be applied before Loma Linda University scholarships and discounts; therefore, some students may be eligible to receive only a portion of their scholarship award.

Intercollegiate program

A student pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in the Geology Program will take the first two years of general education and science course work at any accredited community college, college, or university; and the last two years of geology curriculum at Loma Linda University. Admission requirements for the B.S. degree in the Geology Program are a 2.5 G.P.A. during the first two years of course work, and letters of recommendation from two faculty at the institutions previously attended. The degree requirements below include a list of the courses that should be taken during the first two years as preparation for the geology curriculum at Loma Linda University.

Employment

A baccalaureate degree in geology prepares a student to enter graduate programs in geology or paleontology, or for employment in environmental and energy-related industries; or (with the necessary education courses) for teaching in secondary schools. Most employment opportunities in industry, research, or college teaching require a graduate degree.

Preparation for teaching

A student preparing to teach at the elementary or secondary level will need to complete the requirements for a teaching credential, in addition to the geology major. Consult the Geology Program undergraduate coordinator for further information. General elective units can be used for education courses.

Graduate programs

The Department of Earth and Biological Sciences offers a Master of Science degree in geology. Emphases available in this program are sedimentary geology, paleontology, and environmental geology. A Master of Science degree in biology and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in earth science are also available.

GENERAL STUDIES REQUIREMENTS

RELIGION (16)
A minimum of 4 units for each year the student is enrolled in a Seventh-day Adventist college or university.

HUMANITIES (12-16)
Other courses to be selected from:
Civilization/History
Fine arts
Literature
Modern language
Performing/visual arts (2 quarter units maximum)
or
Philosophy

NATURAL SCIENCES (16)
Met by the geology degree requirements.

SOCIAL SCIENCES (12-16)

Two or more of the following required:

Must include one course dealing with human diversity among peers (e.g., cultural anthropology) Select remaining units from: anthropology, economics, geography, political science, psychology, and sociology.

COMMUNICATION (9-13)
Must include a full sequence in English composition that meets the baccalaureate degree requirements at an accredited college or university. Also may include courses in computer-information systems, critical thinking, and public speaking.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS (2-6)
Must include two physical activities totaling at least 1 unit, and one course in personal health or nutrition.

ELECTIVES
Electives from the foregoing subjects may be chosen to complete the 68 units.

GEOLOGY—B.S. CURRICULUM

FIRST- AND SECOND-YEAR PREGEOLOGY REQUIREMENTS (to be taken at any college) 83-99 quarter units

Required cognate courses

General chemistry (12)
Physics (12)
Math, including calculus (8-12)
Genetics (4)*
and
Ecology (4)*

(*one year of general biology may substitute)

Optional courses for geology major

Physical geology (4)**
Geology elective (4)**

(**can be taken at Loma Linda University)

General studies

Freshman English (9-12)
Religion (8)
History or language (8)
Personal health or nutrition (2)
Physical education activities (1)
Other general studies (5-16)

THIRD- AND FOURTH-YEAR COURSES (taken at Loma Linda University) (92-100 quarter units)

Geology major ( 68 units, including electives)

GEOL 204 Physical Geology (if not already taken) (4)
GEOL 316 Mineralogy (4)
GEOL 317 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology (4)
GEOL 424 Structural Geology (4)
GEOL 431 Geochemistry (4)
GEOL 441 Sedimentology (4)
GEOL 442 Stratigraphy (4)
GEOL 443 Historical Geology (4)
GEOL 454 Sedimentary Petrology (4)
GEOL 456 Field Methods of Geologic Mapping (4)
GEOL 475 Philosophy of Science and Origins (4)
GEOL 485 Seminar (1 unit per quarter, 6 quarters) (6)
GEOL 486 Research and Experimental Design (2)

Geology electives (4)

Must include one paleontology course.

Cognates (12)

ESSC 401 Earth System Science and Global Change I (4)
ESSC 402 Earth System Science and Global Change II (4)
STAT 414 Introduction to Biostatistics (3)
STAT 415 Computer Applications in Biostatistics (1)

General electives (12-16)

General studies (12-16)

Religion (8)

Other general studies (4-8)

TOTAL (192)

Students should consult with their adviser regarding courses in other programs that are appropriate to the B.S. degree in geology.

GEOLOGY—M.S.

The Department of Earth and Biological Sciences in the School of Science and Technology offers the Geology Program leading to the Master of Science degree. Research and course work emphasize field and laboratory studies in sedimentology, paleontology, paleoenvironmental reconstruction, paleoecology, paleobotany, and taphonomy. Areas of curriculum strengths include sedimentary geology, paleontology, and environmental geology. Research in paleontology may also be pursued through the M.S. and Ph.D. degree programs in biology, and the Ph.D. degree program in earth science.

The Geology Program aims to:

• Instill in students the values of honesty, scientific integrity, careful research, and independent critical thinking.
• Provide the tools and intellectual environment in which geologists can attain their highest potential in scholarship and research.
• Challenge graduate students to consider the relationships among science, faith, and societal responsibility

Program objectives

The Geology Program focuses on field-oriented geology, particularly sedimentology, stratigraphy, and paleontology. The integrated core-course sequence provides students with the tools to conduct research in the subdisciplines of sedimentology, paleontology, or environmental geology. Fieldwork is emphasized because it provides a first-hand experience with geological phenomena that cannot be satisfactorily grasped or understood solely from classroom or laboratory study. Throughout the geology curriculum, students are encouraged to develop an open-minded and investigative approach in the application of the scientific method to the resolution of geologic problems. Consideration of multiple working hypotheses is encouraged.

Financial aid

Research and teaching assistantships are available from the Department of Earth and Biological Sciences on a competitive basis. Further information can be obtained from the chair of the department. Qualified students are also encouraged to seek fellowships from federal and private agencies, such as the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Health.

Admission

Applicants must meet the general School of Science and Technology admission requirements. Acceptable undergraduate preparation is a bachelor’s degree and must include: physical geology, mineralogy, petrology, and structural geology. (Students with an undergraduate degree other than in geology may remove geology deficiencies while in residence in the graduate program.) Prerequisite science cognates include one-year courses in biology (zoology, botany, ecology, nonhuman biology courses, etc.), chemistry, and physics. Prerequisite mathematics cognates include statistics and calculus.

GEOLOGY—M.S. CURRICULUM

A minimum of 48 quarter units, including 40 at or above the 500 level, constitutes the curriculum for the Master of Science degree in geology. In addition to the general School of Science and Technology requirements, the following courses are required:

During the graduate or undergraduate program

GEOL 431 Geochemistry (4)
GEOL 454 Sedimentary Petrology (4)
GEOL 616 Research and Experimental Design (2)

During the graduate program at LLU

GEOL 456 Field Methods of Geologic Mapping (4)
GEOL 547 Advanced Historical Geology (4)
GEOL 556 Paleoenvironments (4)
GEOL 558 Philosophy of Science and Origins (4)
GEOL 566 Advanced Sedimentology (4)
GEOL 567 Stratigraphy and Basin Analysis (4)
GEOL 607 Seminar in Geology (1 unit each quarter in residence) (6)
GEOL 617 Proposal Writing and Grantsmanship (2)
GEOL 698 Thesis Research ((4 units minimum; will be graded each
quarter and can be repeated for additional credit)

Religion (500 level or above) (3 units)

Two graduate paleontology courses at LLU from the following: (7 units, total)

GEOL 524 Paleobotany (4)
GEOL 525 Paleopalynology (4)
GEOL 534 Invertebrate Paleontology (4)
GEOL 545 Taphonomy (3)
GEOL 544 Vertebrate Paleontology (4)

Other requirements

The remainder of the student’s program will be planned in consultation with the major professor and graduate advisory committee. In addition to course work, students are expected to attend all program seminars while in residence, fulfill research and thesis expectations, and successfully pass a final oral examination.

Seminar attendance requirements

Attendance at all departmental seminars is required of the student while in residence at Loma Linda University.

Research proposal

A written research proposal and an oral defense of the student’s proposed research should be completed by the end of the third quarter of study. Questions will typically focus on the student’s research area but may expand to other areas as appropriate.

Advancement to candidacy

Students may apply for advancement to candidacy after:

1. completing all deficiencies and prerequisites,
2. selecting a research committee,
3. having an approved written research proposal,
4. passing the oral defense of the research proposal,
5. being recommended by the program faculty (should be completed by the end of the third quarter of study),
6. completing and submitting Form C.

Thesis

The written thesis must demonstrate the completion of significant, original research and must be written in publishable paper format.

Defense of thesis

An oral presentation and defense of the thesis are required. Includes final oral examination on student’s field of study.

ROSARIO BEACH SUMMER COURSES

In cooperation with the Walla Walla College Marine Station in Anacortes, Washington, facilities are available for marine courses and research by graduate students of this department. Some of the available courses include:

BIOL 459 Marine Invertebrates (5)
BIOL 460 Marine Ecology (5)
BIOL 462 Ichthyology (5)
BIOL 463 Marine Botany (5)
BIOL 504 Biology of Marine Invertebrates (4)