BS Geology at University of North Dakota

Programme overview

Turn the earth into your classroom with the hands-on experiences offered by UND's Geology program. Much of geology is done outdoors, and most geology classes involve fieldwork that takes students and instructors to spectacular places in our region. Students have recently traveled to Hawaii, the California coast and the National Parks of Utah for fieldwork.

Faculty: College of Engineering & Mines | Duration: 4 years (125 credit hours) | Study mode: full-time; online | Intake: Fall (Aug. 15), Spring (Dec. 15), Summer (May 1) | Location: Grand Forks, ND, United States

What you will study

Requires 120 credits (a minimum of 36 of which must be from courses numbered 300 or above), including Essential Studies and major courses. Required courses include GEOL 101 & 101L Introduction to Geology and Introduction to Geology Laboratory; GEOL 102 & 102L The Earth Through Time and The Earth Through Time Laboratory; GEOL 220 Computer Applications in Geology and Environmental Science; GEOL 215 & 215L Introduction to Paleontology and Introduction to Paleontology Lab; GEOL 218 & 218L Mineralogy and Mineralogy Lab; GEOL 219 & 219L Petrology and Petrology Lab.

Career pathways

Roles include Center for Energy and Environment, Big Rock Exploration, LLC, North Dakota State Water Commission.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

University-wide undergraduate admission (not specific to this major): complete 14 units of high school core courses (English 4, math 3 of Algebra I or above, lab science 3, social studies 3, plus 1 additional unit from those areas or a world language); a high school GPA of 2.75 or higher is recommended (3.25 for Aviation Management and Commercial Aviation); ACT/SAT scores are not required. Source: UND Freshmen admissions page.

Domestic applicants: USD 11,537 a year (2026-27). North Dakota resident rate. On-campus tuition for 2026/2027 as shown in the programme's tuition table (fall and spring semesters, rate band 'Engineering (including Computer Science & Geology)'); excludes mandatory student fees, housing and books. The same Source

International applicants: USD 23,075 a year (2026-27). International student rate. On-campus tuition for 2026/2027 as shown in the programme's tuition table (fall and spring semesters, rate band 'Engineering (including Computer Science & Geology)'); excludes mandatory student fees, housing and books. Source

Entry terms: Fall, Spring and Summer. Applications are accepted up to one year before the start term.

Terms run Fall (August-December), Spring (January-May) and Summer (May-August).

First-year applicants: Fall priority deadline Feb. 1, Fall final deadline Aug. 15, Spring Dec. 15, Summer May 1. The Feb. 1 priority deadline applies to automatic freshman scholarships. ACT/SAT scores are not required. Application fee $35 (non-refundable, no waivers), submitted through the UND admissions application.

Transfer applicants: Fall Aug. 15, Spring Dec. 15, Summer May 1. Application fee $35 (non-refundable, no waivers).

Aviation Management and Commercial Aviation: applications for fall 2027 opened Aug. 1, 2026 and close Oct. 31, 2026; these degrees are not available on the Common App and require the UND application. Minimum unweighted high school GPA 3.25 (2.60 college GPA for transfers).

International undergraduate applicants (outside Canada): Fall June 15, Spring Nov. 15, Summer March 15. Canadian applicants and international students transferring from another US institution: Fall July 15, Spring Dec. 15, Summer April 15. Application fee $35 (US funds), non-refundable.

Apply through the official page: https://und.edu/admissions/apply.html

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