The Department of Chemistry, Geosciences, and Physics provides rigorous, high-caliber programs with experts dedicated to student mastery. Located only an hour southwest of Fort Worth in the heart of Stephenville, campus is nestled in the Hill Country of Texas, with access to nearby facilities and research opportunities in DFW, Austin, Waco, Abilene, and College Station.
Learning reaches beyond the classroom at Tarleton, and we are proud of our traditions of friendliness and of treating students with respect and individual attention. We take pride in our small advanced classes which provided access to our faculty in a one-on-one environment. Tarleton's faculty members are dedicated to your needs and they make every effort to be responsive and progressive.
These traits are also present in Tarleton's Department of Chemistry, Geosciences and Physics, which offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Physics, Chemistry, Environmental Science, or Geosciences, as well as Master of Science degrees in Environmental Science and Geosciences.
Tarleton's Chemistry, Geosciences, and Physics Department emphasizes the personal bond between student and faculty mentor. Through personalized advising, we encourage you to identify your preferences in choosing a degree program that will prepare you professionally and challenge you academically.
The Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry
Chemistry is for students with the desire to be a part of the future and the drive to test established thought. Students who like to work with both their hands and their minds will enjoy the challenge and excitement of this creative science. Chemists work with highly sophisticated instruments, with computers, with basic lab ware and chemicals, and with other people.
Over 60% of all chemists work in industry, producing the products and technologies that shape our everyday lives - pharmaceuticals, textiles, rubber, glass, polymers, paper, conductors, and food. In the industrial environment a chemist may be working in research, inventing or improving a chemical compound or process. Other chemists are involved in manufacturing a product or running experiments to test the quality or safety of products.
More than 20 % of all chemists are engaged in teaching and/or research in schools, colleges, and universities. Chemists in educational institutions enjoy the challenge of communicating the excitement of chemistry to new generations.
Federal, state, and local governments employ about 10 % of the chemistry work force. These chemists work in a variety of governmental agencies on issues dealing with science and technology, health care, the environment, defense, and industry. Individuals with degrees in chemistry are also found working in many diverse fields such as medicine, technical writing, law, information science, agriculture, health and safety, instrumentation, sales and personnel work, management, manufacturing, library science, engineering, environmental protection, forensics, materials science, and as small business owners.
Many chemistry graduates enter the job market directly; however, approximately 60% of graduates elect post-graduate study. Approximately 10,000 men and women receive an undergraduate degree in chemistry annually; however, this number has dropped somewhat in recent years, and the National Science Foundation has expressed much concern about whether there will be sufficient numbers of trained chemists in the future.
The demand for chemists remains strong in the 21st century as society moves into a more highly developed technological age dependent on materials and the science that produces them.
Accredited by the American Chemical Society, the Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry prepares students for graduate studies or careers in the scientific community or academia.
The Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry
Additional Required Courses for Concentrations
Biochemistry
Forensic Chemistry
Interdisciplinary
| 4 |
| Physical Geology | |
| Historical Geology | |
| Introduction to Environmental Science | |
| Biology for Science Majors | |
| Biology for Science Majors II | |
1 | 21 |
| 8 |
| 1 |
PHYS 1401 | College Physics I | 4 |
PHYS 1402 | College Physics II | 4 |
COMM 2302 [shared] | Business and Professional Speaking | |
CHEM 4328 | Inorganic Chemistry | 3 |
CHEM 3124 | Physical Chemistry II Laboratory | 1 |
CHEM 3324 | Physical Chemistry II | 3 |
Total Hours | 49 |
Pre-Health
Professional Chemistry
Environmental Chemistry
The Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Science
Our environmental science bachelor’s degree takes a multidisciplinary, integrated approach to understanding biological, geological, and human factors that affect environmental quality. Through broad coursework and hands-on learning experiences, you can explore and discover your environmental interests while preparing for a wide variety of jobs in environmental sciences. You can also specialize in an area of environmental sciences by choosing one of three concentrations:
- Science
- Geospatial Information Science (GIS)
- Policy
Our curriculum offers diverse opportunities to gain practical understanding of land and water resources, human impacts on the environment, and environmental law and policies. As an environmental science major at Tarleton, you will gain marketable skills in effective environmental management to protect the health and future of our planet and our people.
• Science. Designed for students interested in pursuing careers with environmental consulting companies or conducting environmental assessments of land and water resources. Excellent for students interested in pursuing a graduate degree in environmental science or going directly into the field.
• Geospatial Information Science. For students interested in land-use planning or in analyzing environmental interactions. Excellent program for students interested in environmental education or work with environmental monitoring organizations. Includes an option for a GIS certification while exploring ecological, social, and economic interactions across the landscape.
• Environmental Policy. For students interested in environmental law, in investigating the impacts of government policies on environmental conditions, and in assessing impacts of resource use and pollution on human communities. Also for business professionals involved in developing or implementing environmentally sound business practices. Includes an in-depth exploration of environmental policies, environmental law, environmental sociology, and environmental economics.
The Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Sciences
Additional Required Courses for Concentrations
Science
CHEM 1312 & CHEM 1112 | College Chemistry II (Lecture) and College Chemistry II (Laboratory) | 4 |
CHEM 4477 | Environmental Chemistry | 4 |
1 | 4 |
| 6 |
| Environmental Sociology | |
| Water Resources Policy and Management | |
| Environmental Ethics | |
| International Environmental Issues | |
| Environmental Law | |
GEOL 3310 | Geomorphology | 3 |
ENGT 4360 | Hazardous Waste Management | 3 |
1 | 6 |
1 | 3 |
Total Hours | 33 |
Environmental Policy
Geospatial Information Science
The Bachelor of Science Degree in Geoscience
This degree emphasizes the study of the physical, chemical, and biological processes of the Earth, from its deep interior to the surface. Geoscience majors also study topics such as:
- Rivers/beaches
- Volcanoes
- Glaciers
- Earthquakes/plate tectonics
- Global Climate Change
- Soils/sediments
Each of these paths is tailored for helping the student reach their desired career goals, and our geoscience faculty advisers will assist the student in making the most of their degree. Each of these concentrations is described below:
- Geology: Majors concentrate on the standard geological sciences, and most graduate and go to work in the oil field. Some will go on the graduate work in sedimentology, stratigraphy, paleontology, environmental science and seismic work, to name a few. Those who get their master's will often work for major oil companies, but could go on to teach and work other field oriented jobs, depending on their concentration.
- Environmental Science: This degree combines chemistry, geology, and biological sciences. Most people who graduate with this degree will either go on to graduate studies or directly into the field working remediation and environmental assessment jobs.
- Petroleum Geology: This degree is designed to aid those students going directly into petroleum work. Courses are much more intensive. Most majors will go on to do a master's degree, then work in the petroleum field.
- Hydrogeology: Another highly intensive degree, this is intended for those who with to work on our water resources. Majors will go on to work in waterways and groundwater assessment.
- Earth Science: A very diverse route for those who want a rounded science experience or want to explore the different earth science fields. Many will go on to get alternative teacher certification from the state of Texas, or go on to graduate study in oceanography or meteorology.
Accelerated Bachelor-to-Master of Science Concentration
Students in the BS/MS 5 YR concentration must apply for and be accepted into the MS program in order to complete this degree concentration. The application process will occur during year 3 of the BS program. Students in the BS/MS 5 YR concentration must maintain a 3.0 undergraduate cumulative GPA. Transfer students must complete a minimum of two full-time semesters and 24 hours at Tarleton State University. If students decide that they do not want to complete or are not accepted into the MS program, they can transition to the BS degree in Geosciences.
The Bachelor of Science Degree in Geoscience
Additional Required Courses for Concentrations
Earth Science
BIOL 1406 | Biology for Science Majors | 4 |
BIOL 1407 | Biology for Science Majors II | 4 |
GEOL 1404 | Historical Geology | 4 |
GEOL 1407 | Introduction to Environmental Science | 4 |
GEOL 3400 | Crystallography and Mineralogy | 4 |
GEOL 3310 | Geomorphology | 3 |
GEOL 4305 [WI] | Field Geology | 3 |
EASC 2451 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 4 |
EASC 3320 | Astronomy | 3 |
EASC 3330 | Meteorology | 3 |
EASC 3340 | Oceanography | 3 |
EASC 4313 [WI] | Environmental Techniques | 3 |
MATH 1314 [shared] | College Algebra | |
or MATH 2412 | Precalculus Math |
| 9-11 |
| Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology | |
| Paleontology | |
| Stratigraphy and Sedimentology | |
| Structural Geology | |
| Geochemistry | |
| Hydrogeology | |
| Economic Geology | |
| Petroleum and Subsurface Geology | |
| 7-8 |
| Plane Trigonometry | |
| Calculus I | |
| Calculus II | |
| Principles of Bio-Statistics | |
| 16 |
Total Hours | 74 |
Environmental Science
SOIL 3301 & SOIL 3101 | Soil Science and Soil Science Laboratory | 4 |
ENVS 3302 | Soils, Land Use, and The Environment | 3-4 |
or SOIL 3412 | Soil Genesis, Morphology, and Classification |
| 8 |
| Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry I Laboratory | |
| Quantitative Analysis | |
| Instrumental Analysis | |
| Environmental Chemistry | |
GEOL 1407 | Introduction to Environmental Science | 4 |
GEOL 3400 | Crystallography and Mineralogy | 4 |
GEOL 3314 | Geochemistry | 3 |
GEOL 4305 [WI] | Field Geology | 3 |
GEOL 3310 | Geomorphology | 3 |
| 9-10 |
| Stratigraphy and Sedimentology | |
| Meteorology | |
| Hydrogeology | |
| Oceanography | |
EASC 2451 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 4 |
EASC 3350 | Environmental Science | 3 |
EASC 4313 [WI] | Environmental Techniques | 3 |
MATH 3450 | Principles of Bio-Statistics | 4 |
| 7-8 |
| Plane Trigonometry | |
| Precalculus Math |
| Calculus I | |
| Calculus II | |
BIOL 1406 | Biology for Science Majors | 4 |
BIOL 1407 | Biology for Science Majors II | 4 |
BIOL 4401 | Ecology | 4 |
Total Hours | 74-75 |
Geology
| 8 |
| Biology for Science Majors and Biology for Science Majors II | |
| College Physics I and College Physics II | |
| University Physics I and University Physics II | |
| 15 |
GEOL 1404 | Historical Geology | 4 |
GEOL 3400 | Crystallography and Mineralogy | 4 |
GEOL 3406 | Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology | 4 |
GEOL 3405 | Paleontology | 4 |
GEOL 3413 | Stratigraphy and Sedimentology | 4 |
GEOL 3412 [WI] | Structural Geology | 4 |
GEOL 4305 [WI] | Field Geology | 3 |
EASC 2451 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 4 |
EASC 4313 [WI] | Environmental Techniques | 3 |
| 9 |
| Geomorphology | |
| Geochemistry | |
| Hydrogeology | |
| Economic Geology | |
| Petroleum and Subsurface Geology | |
| 8 |
| Precalculus Math | |
| Calculus I | |
| Calculus II | |
| Principles of Bio-Statistics | |
Total Hours | 74 |
Hydrogeology
Petroleum Geology
Accelerated Bachelor-to-Master of Science Degree in Geoscience
| College Physics I and College Physics II | |
| University Physics I and University Physics II | |
GEOL 1403 | Physical Geology | 4 |
GEOL 1404 | Historical Geology | 4 |
GEOL 3400 | Crystallography and Mineralogy | 4 |
GEOL 3405 | Paleontology | 4 |
GEOL 3406 | Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology | 4 |
GEOL 3412 [WI] | Structural Geology | 4 |
GEOL 4305 [WI] | Field Geology | 3 |
EASC 2451 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 4 |
EASC 4313 [WI] | Environmental Techniques | 3 |
| Geomorphology | |
| Geochemistry | |
| Hydrogeology | |
| Economic Geology | |
| Petroleum and Subsurface Geology | |
| Sedimentary Petrology | |
| Well Log Analysis | |
| Seismic Interpretation | |
| Paleoecology | |
MATH 2413 | Calculus I | 4 |
MATH 2414 | Calculus II | 4 |
GEOL 4600 | Field Camp | 6 |
| 9 |
Total Hours | 74 |
Physics
Physics is the science that investigates and tries to understand the basic laws of nature. In this pursuit, it deals with the entire range of natural phenomena from the smallest domain of sub-nuclear particles to the largest domain of distant objects in the universe. This breadth of interests is reflected in the type of work pursued by physicists. Some are interested in research on problems that are at the frontiers of knowledge. Some apply this newly acquired knowledge to make practical advances in fields like engineering. Still others use the knowledge of physics as a basis for careers in medicine, law, teaching or administration. The Tarleton physics program is one of the best equipped undergraduate programs in Texas with state-of-the-art undergraduate research facilities including a 32” robotic telescope and 1 MV tandem particle accelerator. The physics program provides several different tracks including medical physics for students interested in medicine, dentistry, or medical physics and an astronomy track so that students can tailor the program to meet their educational goals. By adding two or three additional courses with a support area of mathematics or computer science, a student in the classical can obtain a second bachelors degree in their support area. For students interested in teaching at the high school level, secondary (grades 8-12) certification in either Physical Science or Math/Physics is available. Through Tarleton’s membership in the Texas Electronic Coalition for Physics and students may take upper-level elective physics courses from professors across the Texas A&M System. Through Tarleton’s membership in the Nuclear Power Institute students may take nuclear engineering courses from Texas A&M’s nuclear engineering department to prepare the student for entry into nuclear engineering graduate program.
Joint B.S. Degree in Physics
Academic Advising Guides
Academic Advising Guides area available at the following website:
https://web.tarleton.edu/majorinfo/