Minoring in Geological Sciences
Geological sciences concern the Earth's entire physical makeup and the history of the physical and biological events that occurred within and upon it over the past four and a half billion years. Geological scientists are curious about the whole Earth, from its ancient past to its present and future.
Students with majors in other areas may find that a minor in Geological Sciences provides sufficient background for employment in the geosciences or in geoscience-related positions in such areas as the petroleum and mining industries, the environmental field, etc.
The Department of Geological Sciences offers minor programs with emphasis in several different areas. Each of the minor programs requires a coherent program of 23-25 hours of course work in geology, in addition to prerequisite courses.
The six different minor programs that are presently available are listed below, along with the courses required:
Anthropology and Archaeology
- Prerequisite courses: 121 and 122.
- Required courses: 421, 423, 501, and one of the following: 502, 550, 650.
Economic Geology
- Prerequisite course: 121.
- Required courses: 421, 423, 660, and one of the following: 624, 660.02 or 670.
Environmental Studies
- Prerequisite courses: 121 and 122.
- Required courses: 203, 204, 550, and 8-10 hours of course work selected from 206, 210, 212, 583, 621, 650, 651, and 652.
Geochemistry
- Prerequisite course: 121.
- Required courses: 204, 212, 550, 621, and 726.
Geophysics
- Prerequisite course: 121.
- Required courses: 212, 530, 560, 680, and 6-8 hours selected from 646, 681, 682, 683, and 684.
Mineralogy and Petrology
- Prerequisite course: 121.
- Required courses: 421, 423 and 10 hours of course work selected from 601.01, 601.02, 617, 625, 635, 636, and 637.
More detailed information on specific minor tracks is available from the Department of Geological Sciences (275 Mendenhall Lab), or the College of Arts and Sciences (Denney Hall 164).
Minor programs that represent variations from one of the specific minor tracks may be approved by the coordinating advisor (Dr. Noltimier) in the Department of Geological Sciences.