Earth Science, Minor
Visit the Earth Science Department page for more information on the program and access to advising.
Program Description
The Earth Science Minor is ideal for integrating interdisciplinary concepts to address questions about Earth and planetary science, and interactions between humans, society, and the environment. The program offers flexible opportunities to engage with topics such as plate tectonics, sedimentary processes, paleontology, mineralogy, petrology, geochemistry, structures, geomorphology, (paleo)climatology, environmental science, soils, sustainability, and hydrology. The program provides knowledge and experience for a variety of physical- and Earth science-related graduate programs and careers.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Total Credit Hours | 22 | |
| Discipline Core Requirements | 22 Credits | |
| GEO 1010 | Introduction to Geology | 3 |
| or GEO 1030 | Natural Disasters and the Environment | |
| or GEO 1040 | The Dinosaurian World | |
| or GEO 1050 | Geology of National Parks | |
| GEO 1015 | Introduction to Geology Laboratory | 1 |
| Complete seven credits lower division electives from the following: | 7 | |
| Introduction to Environmental Science and Management (3) | ||
| Environmental Careers (1) | ||
| Introduction to Soils (4) | ||
| Science Excursion (1) | ||
| Natural History Excursion (3) | ||
| Prehistoric Life (3) | ||
| Introduction to Oceanography (3) | ||
| Historical Geology and Historical Geology Laboratory (4) | ||
| Desert Natural History (3) | ||
| Introduction to Field Geology (3) | ||
| Introduction to Physical Geography (3) | ||
| Mapping the World with Geospatial Technology (undefined) | ||
| Sustainability and Environment (3) | ||
| Introduction to Meteorology (3) | ||
| Fundamentals of Weather Forecasting (3) | ||
| Complete eleven credits of upper division electives from the following: | 11 | |
| Applied Hydrology (4) | ||
| Energy Use on Earth (3) | ||
| Environmental Geochemistry (3) | ||
| Advanced Desert Natural History (3) | ||
| Earth Materials and Earth Materials Laboratory (4) | ||
| Isotope Geochemistry (3) | ||
| Isotope Geochemistry Laboratory (1) | ||
| Geologic Hazards and Geologic Hazards Laboratory (4) | ||
| Structure and Tectonics (4) | ||
| Sedimentary Geology (4) | ||
| Paleontology (4) | ||
| Petrology and Petrology Laboratory (4) | ||
| Hydrogeology (4) | ||
| Earth Science Seminar (0.5) may be repeated once | ||
| Special Topics in Geology (1-4) (Special Topics, Research and Internships ) Up to four credits can count toward the minor | ||
or ENVT 4950R | Special Projects in Environmental Management | |
or ENVT 4820R | Geologic Environmental Internship | |
or GEOG 4820R | GIS Internship | |
or GEOG 4890R | Student Research in Geography | |
or GEOG 4900R | Special Topics in Geography | |
or GEO 4820R | Geologic Environmental Internship | |
or GEO 4890R | Student Research | |
or GEO 4950R | Independent Study | |
| Independent Study (1-4) | ||
| Climate Change in Science and Society (3) | ||
| Geomorphology and Geomorphology Lab (4) | ||
| Geomorphology and Geomorphology Lab | ||
| Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (4) | ||
| Wetland Studies (3) | ||
| Wetland Studies Laboratory (1) | ||
Graduation Requirements
Grade of C- or higher in all courses used to satisfy requirements of the minor.
Graduation Plan
This graduation plan is a sample plan and is intended to be a guide. Your specific plan may differ based on your Math and English placement and/or transfer credits applied. You are encouraged to meet with an advisor and set up an individualized graduation plan in Wolverine Track.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Credit Hours | |
| Complete one of the introductory Geology classes (1010, 1030, 1040, or 1050) and the introductory lab (1015) | ||
| GEO 1010 | Introduction to Geology or Natural Disasters and the Environment or The Dinosaurian World or Geology of National Parks | 3 |
| GEO 1015 | Introduction to Geology Laboratory | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 4 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| Complete 4 credits of lower division electives, such as: | 4 | |
| Introduction to Environmental Science and Management | ||
| Environmental Careers | ||
| Science Excursion | ||
| Prehistoric Life | ||
| Introduction to Oceanography | ||
| Historical Geology and Historical Geology Laboratory | ||
| Introduction to Physical Geography | ||
| Introduction to Meteorology | ||
| Credit Hours | 4 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Semester 3 | ||
| Complete 3 credits of lower division electives such as: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Soils | ||
| Desert Natural History | ||
| Introduction to Field Geology | ||
| Sustainability and Environment | ||
| Fundamentals of Weather Forecasting | ||
| Upper Division Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| Upper Division Electives | 8 | |
| Credit Hours | 8 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 22 | |
Program Learning Outcomes
- Analyze geologic concepts such as the rock cycle, plate tectonics, and deep time.
- Synthesize geologic and interdisciplinary concepts to solve technological, scientific, and societal questions about the real world.
Natural sciences managers
- Total Positions100,100
- Field Growth7.5%
- Median Salary$157,740
- Average Openings8.3
Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers
- Total Positions26,000
- Field Growth5.5%
- Median Salary$92,580
- Average Openings2.2
Hydrologists
- Total Positions6,500
- Field Growth2.8%
- Median Salary$88,770
- Average Openings0.5
Geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians
- Total Positions9,200
- Field Growth3.8%
- Median Salary$52,440
- Average Openings1.1
Atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary
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- Field Growth3.8%
- Median Salary$100,690
- Average Openings1.1