Geology Minor

A minor in Geology includes three required courses that all include laboratory sections. To receive the minor, students must successfully complete 20 credits with a minimum GPA of 2.00 to include GEOL 101, 102, and 302; and two of the following courses: GEOL 304*, 308*, 312, 317, or 401.  * Students must achieve a grade of 2.0 or better in GEOL 302 before taking GEOL 304 or 308.

Benefits

Geology means the scientific study of the Earth, Earth materials and the processes by which they form. Courses in geology include local streams and soils in the backyard to volcanic eruptions in Hawaii and the uplift of the Himalayas. Geology also includes the history of life on Earth, which is closely intertwined with the history of the physical and chemical environment. Earth processes have operated throughout immensely long periods of time. A minor in Geology will enable you to read the clues in the rocks to interpret past environments and the history of the Earth. 

Physical Geology emphasizes the processes that operate on or within the Earth, including plate tectonics, volcanoes, earthquakes and landforms. In Historical Geology students learn about events that happened during the evolution of the Earth, from the formation of super-continents (Pangea) to the extinction of the dinosaurs and the evolution of mammals. The basic materials that build up the Earth many resources are studied in the Mineralogy class. Together with eight elective credits, students taking this minor will appreciate the complexities of the Earth, the planet on which we live.

Inquiries

Inquiries about the Geology Minor should be directed to Dr. Julia Nord, AOES  Undergraduate Coordinator.