Overview

The Geology programme at the University of California, Davis provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the physical processes that shape our planet and its environment. By combining rigorous academic coursework with practical field experience, the curriculum prepares graduates to address critical societal challenges such as resource management and natural hazard mitigation. Students can choose between a Bachelor of Science for technical depth or a Bachelor of Arts for greater interdisciplinary flexibility.

Why Geology at University of California, Davis?

The Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences is home to a distinguished faculty of 23 experts who prioritise personal connections and high-quality classroom instruction. With a small cohort of approximately 90 students, the department offers an intimate learning environment where undergraduates work directly with professors. Facilities include a 3-D visualisation laboratory and geochemistry labs equipped with mass spectrometers. Students also benefit from unique outdoor learning spaces like the California Rock Garden and various global research opportunities.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 53472 per year
National fee: USD 53472 per year
Local fee: USD 14202 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum begins with foundational sequences in chemistry, physics, and mathematics before moving into specialised geosciences. Modules may include:

Earthquakes
Volcanoes
Dinosaurs
Solar System
History of Life
Global Climate System
Structural Geology
Hydrogeology
Geochemistry

Careers with Geology

Graduates are well-prepared for roles in the rapidly expanding environmental services industry, government agencies, and research institutions. Many alumni pursue licensure as professional geologists or find employment in sectors such as water management, planetary science, and public policy. The analytical and technical skills gained during the programme are highly transferable to various scientific and consultancy fields.

Typical graduate roles and employers include:

Environmental Geologist
Geophysicist
Volcanologist
Oceanographer
United States Geological Survey
National Park Service
Lawrence Livermore National Lab
Environmental Resources Management

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Physical Geology

Physical Geology Laboratory

Geobiology

Geochemistry

Geophysics

Earth Materials

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-09-22 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-12-02 00:00:00

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

115

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IELTS

6.5

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Credits

180 alternative credits

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Davis, United States

Disciplines

Geology View 480 other Bachelors in Geology in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

Students who are not residents of California must earn a GPA of 3.40 or high

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

115

Take A Free Practice Test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

To be competitive for freshman admission to UC Davis, prospective students must be on track to earn a high school diploma (or equivalent) and meet all UC freshman admission requirements. Our campus then reviews and assesses all applications as part of our UC Davis freshman application review process.

Freshman 1applicants are required to take the ACT with Writing or the SAT with Essay no later than December 31 of the year they apply.

International students must meet the same admission requirements and will be included in the same selection process as students from the United States.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

53472 USD / year

≈ 53472 USD / year
Out-of-State

53472 USD / year

≈ 53472 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

14202 USD / year

≈ 14202 USD / year

Living costs

Davis

United States

1100 - 1600 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Geology.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Davis

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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