Undergraduate requirements: Geobiology option

Under the geobiology option a student can be associated with either biology or GPS. This association formally will only affect which course the students elect to satisfy the Institute-wide oral presentation requirement; all other geobiology option requirements are independent of GPS or biology affiliation. In practice, however, we expect a student's affiliation with one division or another will significantly shape their choice of elective courses.

1. Ge 11 abc, Ge 13, Ge 109. 
2. Ch 41 abc and Bi/Ch 110.
3. Bi 8, Bi 9, Bi 10, ESE/Bi 166, Ge 114 a, Ge/ESE 170, Bi 117, Bi 122, Ge 112 a.
4. Nine units of geobiology electives from the following list: Bi 123, Bi 180, Ch 4 ab, Ch 5 ab, Ch 15, Ge 121 ab.
5. Twenty-seven units of geobiology electives in geology, biology, chemistry, and/or environmental engineering to be chosen in consultation with adviser from the list in 4 or from the following list: Ge 11 d, Ge 40, Ge 41 abc, Ge 100 abc, Ge 106, Ge 112 b, Ge 114 b, Ge 115 abc, Ge 116, Ge 120, Ge 121 ab, Ge 124 ab, Ge 140, Ge 142, Ge/ESE 149, Ge/Bi 244, Ge/Bi 246, Ge 282 abc, BMB/Bi/Ch 170, Bi 22, Bi 24, Bi 90 abc, Bi/Ch 111, Bi/Ch 113, Bi 115, Bi 123, Bi/CNS 150, Bi 152, Bi/CNS 158, Bi 180, Bi 182, Bi 188, Bi 190, Bi 204, Bi/CNS 216, ESE 142, ESE 101-103, ESE/Ge 152, ESE/Ge/Ch 171, ESE/Ge/Ch 172, ESE/Ge/Ch 175, Ch 4 ab, Ch 5 ab, Ch 7, Ch 14, Ch 15, Ch 21 abc, Ch 24 ab, Ch 112, Ch 145, Ch 146, Ch 154 ab, Ch 212; Occidental College Ge 365.

Typical course schedules are given for information only; in many cases is it possible to take courses in different years or in a different order.

Typical Course Schedule		Units per term
		1st	2nd	3rd
Second Year
Ge 11 ab, Ge/Ay 11 c	Introduction to Earth and Planetary Science	9	9	9
Ge 13	Scientific Writing Tutorial			3
Ge 109	Oral Presentation			3
Bi 8	Introduction to Molecular Biology		9
Bi 9	Cell Biology			9
Bi 10	Cell Biology Laboratory			6
Ph 2 ab	Sophomore physics	9	9
Ma 2 ab	Sophomore mathematics	9	9
	HSS electives	9	9	9
	Total units:	36	45	39
Third Year
Ch 41 abc	Organic Chemistry	9	9	9
ESE/Bi 166	Microbial Physiology	9
Ge 114 a	Mineralogy	9
Ge/ESE 170	Microbial Ecology			9
	Geobiology electives	9	9	9
	HSS electives	9	9	9
	Total units:	45	27	36
Fourth Year
Bi/Ch 110	Introduction to Biochemistry	12
Bi 117	Developmental Biology		9
Bi 122	Genetics	9
Ge 112 a	Geomorphology and Introductory Stratigraphy	12
	Geobiology electives		18	27
	HSS electives	9	9	9
	Total units:	42	36	36

Passing grades must be earned in a total of 486 units, including courses listed above. Any student whose grade-point average in science and mathematics courses is less than 1.9 at the end of an academic year may be refused permission to register in the geological and planetary science options.

For more information

For more information, visit the geobiology program website or contact option representative Joe Kirschvink.