An Undergraduate Minor recognizes concentrated study in a designated field in the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Physical Sciences. The awarding of a Minor will be noted on the student's transcript at the time of graduation.
The following minors may be earned within the Geology Department by students not majoring in Geology (unless otherwise indicated). A grade of "C-" or better must be earned in all courses required for the minor, and a minimum 2.0 grade point average must be earned for in all courses required for the minor. Although we suggest minors that may be broadly compatible for students of particular majors, students in any University program may work toward any of the Geology minors. Aspects of Geology minor coursework are negotiable: contact the Undergraduate Director for details.
Earth History Minor
Required:
- One of the following:
- GEOL 100/110 Physical Geology/Physical Geology Lab (4)
- GEOL 120/110 Environmental Geology/Physical Geology Lab (4)
- GEOL 102 Historical Geology (4)
Plus three from:
- GEOL 331 Principles of Paleontology (4)
- GEOL 341 Structural Geology (4)
- GEOL 342 Sedimentation and Stratigraphy (4)
- GEOL 436 Principles of Biogeochemistry (3)
- GEOL 437 Global Climate Change: Past and Present (3)
- GEOL 499 Special Problems in Geology (3)
Earth Material Properties Minor
Requirements listed reflect revisions that became effective during May 2014. For previous requirements follow this link.Required:
- One of the following:
- GEOL 100/110 Physical Geology/Physical Geology Lab (4)
- GEOL 120/110 Environmental Geology/Physical Geology Lab (4)
- GEOL 322 Mineralogy (4)
Plus three from:
- GEOL 341 Structural Geology (4)
- GEOL 423 Optical Mineralogy (3)
- GEOL 443 Petrology (4)
- GEOL 445 High Temperature Geochemistry (4)
- One of the following:
- GEOL 456 Engineering Geology (3)
- GEOL 457 Seismology (3)
- GEOL 499 Special Problems in Geology (3)
Geochemistry Minor
Required:
- One of the following:
- GEOL 100/110 Physical Geology/Physical Geology lab (4)
- GEOL 120/110 Environmental Geology/Physical Geology Lab (4)
- GEOL 322 Mineralogy (4)
- One of the following:
- GEOL 444 Low Temperature Geochemistry (4)
- GEOL 445 High Temperature Geochemistry (4)
Plus two from:
- GEOL 435 Environmental Geochemistry (3)
- GEOL 436 Biogeochemistry (3)
- GEOL 443 Petrology (4)
- GEOL 444 Low Temperature Geochemistry (4) (if not used to satisfy requirement above)
- GEOL 445 High Temperature Geochemistry (4) (if not used to satisfy requirement above)
- GEOL 471 Geochemical Methods of Analysis (3)
- GEOL 499 Special Problems in Geology (3)
Geophysics Minor
Requirements listed reflect revisions that became effective during May 2014. For previous requirements follow this link.Required:
- One of the following:
- GEOL 100/110 Physical Geology/Physical Geology lab (4)
- GEOL 120/110 Environmental Geology/Physical Geology Lab (4)
- Any two of the following:
- GEOL 446 Geophysics (3)
- GEOL 447 Observational Geophysics (3)
- GEOL 457 Seismology (3)
Plus two from:
- GEOL 341 Structural Geology (4)
- GEOL 446 Geophysics (3) (If not used to satisfy requirement above)
- GEOL 447 Observational Geophysics (3) (If not used to satisfy requirement above)
- GEOL 455 Marine Geophysics (3)
- GEOL 456 Engineering Geology (3)
- GEOL 457 Seismology (3) (If not used to satisfy requirement above)
- GEOL 412 Geology of the Terrestrial Planets (3)
- GEOL 499 Special Problems in Geology (3)
Hydrology Minor
Requirements listed reflect revisions that became effective during May 2014. For previous requirements follow this link.Required:
- One of the following:
- GEOL 100/110 Physical Geology/Physical Geology Lab (4)
- GEOL 120/110 Environmental Geology/Physical Geology Lab (4)
- GEOL 451 Groundwater (3)
- GEOL 452 Watershed and Wetlands Hydrology (3)
Plus two from:
- GEOL 436 Principles of Biogeochemistry (3)
- GEOL 444 Low-Temperature Geochemistry (4)
- One of the following:
- GEOL 453 Ecosystem Restoration (3)
- GEOL 435 Environmental Geochemistry (3)
- GEOL 499 Special Problems in Geology (3)
Paleobiology Minor
Administered jointly with the Department of Entomology. Note: The Paleobiology Minor is open to Geology majors and majors in the biological sciences.
Required:
- BSCI160/161 - Principles of Ecology and Evolution/ Principles of Ecology and Evolution lab (4)
- One of the following:
- GEOL 100/110 Physical Geology/Physical Geology Lab (4)
- GEOL 120/110 Environmental Geology/Physical Geology Lab (4)
- One of the following:
- GEOL102 - Historical Geology (GEOL100 or GEOL120) (4)
- GEOL104 - Dinosaurs: A Natural History (3)
- GEOL204 - Dinosaurs, Early Humans, Ancestors, and Evolution; The Fossil Record of Vanished Worlds of the Prehistoric Past (3)
- BSCI207 - Organismal Biology (3) (Prereqs: BSCI160/161 and BSCI170/171; CoReq: CHEM131/132)
- BSCI222 - Principles of Genetics (4) (Prereqs: BSCI160/161, BSCI170/171, and CHEM131/132)
One of the following:
- BSCI333 or GEOL331 (cross-listed) - Principles of Paleontology (4)
- BSCI392/393 - Biology of Extinct Organisms (4)
Plus two electives from the following. One choice must be from Geology and one from Biology:
- BSCI333 or GEOL331 (cross-listed) - Principles of Paleontology ((4) if not taken to satisfy above requirement)
- BSCI334 - Mammalogy (3)
- BSCI361 - Principles of Ecology (3)
- BSCI363 - The Biology of Conservation and Extinction (3)
- BSCI392/393 - Biology of Extinct Organisms (4 if not taken to satisfy above requirement)
- BSCI370 - Principles of Evolution (3)
- BSCI399/399L - Biology Departmental Research (1-3) (Paleobiology minor requires 3 cumulative credits to count as elective. Research topic must be approved by GEOL or ENTM advisor.)
- GEOL342 - Stratigraphy and Sedimentation (4)
- GEOL431 - Vertebrate Paleobiology (4)
- GEOL436 - Biogeochemistry (3)
- GEOL437 - Global Climate Change, Past and Present (3)
- GEOL 499 Special Problems in Geology (3)
- Or another appropriate biology or geology course approved in advance by the Entomology or Geology advisor (3-4)
Planetary Sciences Minor
Administered jointly with the Department of Astronomy. Note: The Planetary Sciences Minor is open to Geology and Astronomy majors. Requirements listed reflect revisions that became effective during April 2013.
For previous requirements follow this link.
Required:
- One of the following:
- ASTR100 Introduction to Astronomy (3)
- ASTR101 General Astronomy (4)
- ASTR120 Introductory Astrophysics - Solar System (3)
- One of the following:
- GEOL 100/110 Physical Geology/Physical Geology Lab (4)
- GEOL 120/110 Environmental Geology/Physical Geology Lab (4)
- One of the following:
- ASTR330 Solar System Astronomy (3)
- ASTR430 The Solar System (3)
- GEOL212 Planetary Geology (3)
Plus three electives from the following. At least one choice must be from Geology and one from Astronomy. At least six credits from the list below and nine credits overall must be at the 300 - 400 level:
- ASTR220 Collisions in Space (3)
- ASTR230 The Science and Fiction of Planetary Systems (3)
- ASTR380 Life in the Universe - Astrobiology (3)
- ASTR498 Special Problems in Astronomy (3)
- GEOL322 Mineralogy (4)
- GEOL340 Geomorphology (4)
- GEOL412 Geology of Terrestrial Planets (3)
- GEOL437 Global Climate Change, Past and Present (3)
- GEOL 499 Special Problems in Geology (3)
- Or another appropriate astronomy or geology course approved in advance by the Astronomy or Geology advisor (3-4)
Surficial Geology Minor
Requirements listed reflect revisions that became effective during May 2014. For previous requirements follow this link.Required:
- One of the following:
- GEOL 100/110 Physical Geology/Physical Geology Lab (4)
- GEOL 120/110 Environmental Geology/Physical Geology Lab (4)
- GEOL 123 Causes and Implications of Global Change (3)
- GEOL 340 Geomorphology (4)
Plus two from:
- GEOL 331 Principles of Paleontology (4)
- GEOL 342 Sedimentation and Stratigraphy (4)
- GEOL 444 Low Temperature Geochemistry (4)
- GEOL 435 Environmental Geochemistry (3)
- GEOL 437 Global Climate Change - Past and Present (3)
- One of the following:
- GEOL 451 Groundwater (3)
- GEOL 452 Watershed and Wetland Hydrology (3)
- GEOL 499 Special Problems in Geology (3)
For more information, contact John Merck, Undergraduate Studies Director