Geology, Minor

Location(s): California Campus, Edinboro Campus

The minor in Geology provides an option for students in a variety of disciplines to expand their credentials through content knowledge in the sub-disciplines of Geology, including mineral, energy, and water resources, land use and development, and Earth history. Foundational coursework places Earth history in context with human issues and impacts. Advanced coursework allows students to target those areas especially relevant to their interests that will add to their marketability as scientists, entrepreneurs, and community leaders.

Student Learning Outcomes

Correlate Earth materials to basic landscape development and appropriate land use
Make use of basic tools including maps to evaluate areas of resource availability, geological hazards, and land use opportunities and limitations
Create conceptual models of surface and subsurface systems based on incomplete or limited data
Contextualize Earth history with respect to human distribution and impacts and resource needs to predict the sustainability and resilience of the built environment

Curriculum Requirements

Core Courses

GEOL 1500 - Dynamic Earth Credit Hours: 4
GEOL 2010 - Principles of Earth History Credit Hours: 4

Fundamentals Courses

3-7 Credits Required - Select 1 or 2 From:
GEOL 3030 - Hydrology Credit Hours: 3
GEOL 3100 - Applied Soil Science Credit Hours: 3
GEOL 3200 - Geomorphology Credit Hours: 3
GEOL 3300 - Mineralogy Credit Hours: 4

Application/Advanced Courses

3-8 Credits Required - Select 1 or 2 From:
GEOL 3500 - Geochemistry Credit Hours: 3
GEOL 3600 - Geophysics Credit Hours: 3
GEOL 3700 - Advanced Environmental Geology Credit Hours: 3
GEOL 4100 - Field Methods in Geology Credit Hours: 3
GEOL 4200 - Sedimentology and Stratigraphy Credit Hours: 4
GEOL 4300 - Structural Geology Credit Hours: 4
GEOL 4500 - Invertebrate Paleontology Credit Hours: 4
GEOL 4700 - Regional Geology Field Experience Credit Hours: 3
Or any one other GEOL prefix course