<p>At Clemson, freshman interested in majoring in civil engineering are required to take either an introductory geology course or a 2nd semester of chemistry. I've heard many rumors that geology is the one of the most boring and worst science intro classes. Would I be better off going the optional road and taking a 2nd semester of chemistry or sucking it up and taking geology if I want to major in civil engineering?</p>
<p>What are your interests as a civil engineer? If you have more interest in geotechnical issues, go for geology. If you have more interest in environmental or water resources issues, go for chemistry.</p>
<p>Intro geology can be a fun and interesting class – certainly more so than second semester chemistry. As with any other subject, though, it depends on who is teaching it.</p>
<p>If geology was necessary, then the course would be required. I never took a course in geology, and neither have many of my friends in civil engineering from many other schools. </p>
<p>What does the 2nd semester of chemistry cover? Is it just general chemistry? physical chemistry?</p>
<p>2nd semester chem USUALLY has a lot of rates and equilibrium stuff and an intro to orgo in it at most schools.</p>
<p>Here’s the course description for the two classes.</p>
<p>I’m currently registered for GEOL 101</p>
<p>CH 102: General Chemistry - Continuation of CH 101, treating solutions, rates of reactions, chemical equilibrium, electrochemistry, chemistry of selected elements, and an introduction to organic chemistry.</p>
<p>GEOL 101: Physical Geology - Study of the minerals and rocks that compose earth’s crust, their origins and transformations. Emphasizes geological processes, both internal and external, by which changes are produced on or in the earth.
Accompanying lab (GEOL 103): Physical Geology Laboratory - Provides instruction in the identification of minerals and rocks and in the interpretation of geologic processes through study of topographic maps. Field trips provide direct observation of processes and results.</p>
<p>What class do you think will be the most useful for civil engineering, what class will be the least boring and most interesting? (just want some opinions)</p>
<p>I would opt for chemistry, just because the geology class sounds boring. But I really liked chemistry, so maybe I’m weird.</p>
<p>I finished my Geology class with a better understanding of how Earth works. With exception to the minerals and rocks chapters(which I considered boring), I really enjoyed the class. Learning about soil, groundwater, and running water will help you in future Civil classes. If you are curious about how the Earth works in general(volcanoes, earthquakes, mountain formation) take the class. </p>
<p>Find out if the professor is any good. If he is horrible it may not be worth it</p>
<p>I also took Chem2 I feel that it will be utterly useless to me. Unless you’re going into Environmental it is not really necessary to delve into chemistry</p>
<p>Geology can either be the most boring science ever or incredibly interesting, depending on who’s teaching it. If your professor is known for making students lick rocks as a means of identifying them, take the class (but don’t lick the rock… hamthrax, natch).</p>