Geosciences Minor

Minor - Geosciences (Minor)

College Humanities & Sciences

Catalog Year: 2014-2015

Degree Specific Credits: 18

Required Cumulative GPA: 2.0


Lower Division Core Courses

Rule: Must complete all of the following

Note: This sequence of courses is recommended but alternative sequences may be approved by an advisor.

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description GEO 101N - Intro to Physical Geology
Offered autumn and spring. General geology including the work of wind, flowing water, glacial ice, gravity, earthquakes, volcanoes and plate tectonics in shaping the earth. 
3 Credits
Show Description GEO 102N - Intro to Physical Geology Lab
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq. or coreq., GEO 101N (preferred) or 105N or 108N. A series of laboratory and field experiences designed around basic geologic processes and materials. Familiarization with common minerals, rocks, land forms, and structures. Intended to provide laboratory experience primarily with GEO 101N, but can be taken with or following any of the other freshman GEO courses listed above.
1 Credits
Show Description GEO 200 - Historical Geology
Offered autumn. Traces the history of the earth since its inception 4.5 billion years ago. Presents scientific theories for the origin of the earth and the nature of important earth shaping events of the past, including the development of the oceans, atmosphere and climate.
2 Credits
Show Description GEO 225 - Earth Materials
Offered spring. Prereq., any geoscience 100 level lecture course, GEO 102N, CHMY 121N or 141N. Study of minerals and rocks utilizing an Earth Systems approach; mineral identification and paragenesis; survey of the distribution of minerals from the interior to the surfaces of planets and the processes that led to their formation.
4 Credits
Show Description GEO 228 - Earth Surface Processes
Spring semester. Prereq. GEO 101N-102N, M 121 and 122 or M 151. Introduction to the physical processes that affect the surface of the Earth, including global-scale energy distribution and balance, the hydrologic cycle, climate, weathering, transport mechanisms, and geomorphic processes. 
2 Credits
Show Description GEO 231 - Geosciences Field Methods
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq. GEO 101N-102N. This course introduces students to a variety of field methodologies routinely used in the collection, processing, and interpretation of geoscientific field data.
2 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 14 Total Credits Required

Degree Electives

Rule: Must complete 4 credits in Geosciences courses numbered 300 and above

Minimum Required Grade: C-
4 Total Credits Required