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Geological Sciences Major
The Honors Tutorial College (HTC) program in the geological sciences offers high-achieving students curriculum focused on geology and its allied sciences.
HTC students will also take writing courses to improve their scientific communication skills. The academic experience will culminate in a bachelor’s thesis research project to be presented at a geological meeting. Graduates of this program receive a Bachelor of Science degree from the Honors Tutorial College and are prepared for graduate study in any geologic discipline.
Curriculum
Students must complete at least 120 credit hours, maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5, and fulfill all university and HTC requirements including coursework in physical geology, historical geology, stratigraphy/sedimentology, geomorphology, igneous petrology, petrography, and structural geology.
HTC students also take capstone courses in geodynamics, earth system science, and field camp in addition to chemistry, physics (or biology), and calculus requirements.
Honors Tutorial and Thesis
Students complete eight tutorials (one for each semester enrolled in the program). In the final year, the tutorials will be dedicated to thesis work. These tutorials support in-depth study and research in advanced computing topics under direct faculty mentorship.
Research within the honors thesis research project will reflect the interests of the student and his/her thesis advisor. The thesis prospectus will be 10 pages long and must include an annotated bibliography with a minimum of 20 entries. It is expected that this research will be presented at a geology meeting venue as a poster or oral presentation. A high-quality publishable study with data collection is expected from an honors tutorial student.
Career & Post-Grad Opportunities
Students who complete the Honors Tutorial geological sciences program will be able to apply to top graduate schools for further study, especially Ph.D. programs. Direct employment in industry or government agencies will also be possible, including the oil and gas industry, mining, and geological surveys.
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Financial Aid & Scholarships
All first-year Honors Tutorial College students admitted for fall semester earn the OHIO Premier Scholarship, valued at full in-state tuition and renewable for four years. Out-of-state HTC students may also earn the OHIO Trustee Award, valued at up to $7,000 annually.
Our Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships also provides services to students and parents both in-person and remotely.
Admission Requirements
This is a selective admission program. Students must demonstrate:
- Exceptional academic performance
- Strong potential for independent study and research
- Submission of additional essays and high school teacher recommendations
- An interview with the director of studies
First-year, transfer, and external applicants are held to the same high standards. More details can be found on the HTC Application Page.
Director of Studies
