What does a degree in geology actually mean? A systematic evaluation of courses required to earn a bachelor of science in geology in the United States

Calls have been made to determine optimal learning progressions for geology students so that best practices teaching content knowledge and skills during an undergraduate degree can be determined. To address these calls, there first needs understanding of what courses are required. This study was conducted provide a systematic evaluation currently required earn bachelor science in the field geology. Once qualifying programs were determined using American Geoscience Institute’s Directory Departments, inductive analysis used categories representative most commonly courses. Testing with expert panel showed this binning system codebook interrater reliability (Fleiss’ kappa) 0.908, demonstrating they applied reliably future research assess longitudinal changes course requirements. The seven include structure, sedimentology/stratigraphy, introductory courses, general methods level historical mineralogy petrology. On average, 12.69 B.S. degree. A comparison is also here highlight since Drummond Markin’s (2008) review, which increase frequency at introductory, upper seminar, based results presented snapshot current state field, allow comparisons deemed priority by Future Undergraduate Education Report.