The minor in Geology is available to students in all majors seeking curricular depth in geosciences.  The minor provides core knowledge and experience encompassing geology, geophysics, environmental geology, and hydrogeology. Students who may particularly benefit in their careers from completing the geology minor include those within the Colleges of Natural Resources, Natural Science, Business, Engineering, Health and Human Sciences, and Agricultural Sciences.

Learning Objectives

Students will demonstrate:

  1. A solid foundation in the physical sciences and broad understanding of geological processes.
  2. Application of scientific reasoning skills to data analysis and problem solving in the geosciences, both individually and in teams.
  3. An awareness of sociopolitical and economic factors and ethical practices and standards that apply to fields in geosciences.

Effective Fall 2019

Students must satisfactorily complete the total credits required for the minor. Minors and interdisciplinary minors require 12 or more upper-division (300- to 400-level) credits.

Additional coursework may be required due to prerequisites.

Required Courses
Select one group from the following for four credits: 4
Group A:
GEOL 120
& GEOL 121
Exploring Earth - Physical Geology (GT-SC2)
and Introductory Geology Laboratory (GT-SC1)
Group B:
GEOL 122
& GEOL 121
The Blue Planet - Geology of Our Environment (GT-SC2)
and Introductory Geology Laboratory (GT-SC1)
Group C:
GEOL 124
& GEOL 121
Geology of Natural Resources (GT-SC2)
and Introductory Geology Laboratory (GT-SC1)
Group D:
GEOL 150
Physical Geology for Scientists and Engineers
Group E:
GEOL 110
& GEOL 121
Introduction to Geology-Parks and Monuments (GT-SC2)
and Introductory Geology Laboratory (GT-SC1)
GEOL 154Historical and Analytical Geology4
Selected Courses
Select a minimum of 13 credits of GEOL coursework, of which at least 12 credits must be upper-division (300- to 400-level).
A maximum of two credits may be satisfied by non-regular courses (courses ending in -82 to -99), of which only one credit may be GEOL 401.
GEOL *** Geology Electives13
Program Total Credits:21