Earth Science, Minor
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 PP | 3 |
| or GEO 1030 | Natural Disasters and the Environment PP | |
| or GEO 1040 | The Dinosaurian World PP | |
| or GEO 1050 | Geology of National Parks PP | |
| GEO 1015 | Introduction to Geology Laboratory | 1 |
| Complete seven credits lower division electives from the following: | 7 | |
| Introduction to Environmental Management PP (3) | ||
| Environmental Careers (1) | ||
| Introduction to Soils (4) | ||
| Science Excursion (1) | ||
| Natural History Excursion BB (3) | ||
GEO 1020 | (3) | |
| Introduction to Oceanography PP (3) | ||
| Historical Geology and Historical Geology Laboratory (4) | ||
| Desert Natural History (3) | ||
| Introduction to Field Geology (3) | ||
| Introduction to Physical Geography PP (3) | ||
| Mapping the World with Geospatial Technology PP (undefined) | ||
| Sustainability and Environment SS (3) | ||
| Introduction to Meteorology PP (3) | ||
| Fundamentals of Weather Forecasting PP (3) | ||
| Complete eleven credits of upper division electives from the following: | 11 | |
| Applied Hydrology WE (4) | ||
| Energy Use on Earth GI (3) | ||
| Environmental Geochemistry (3) | ||
| Advanced Desert Natural History (3) | ||
| Earth Materials WE 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 WE (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 495R | Special Projects in Environmental Management | |
or ENVT 482R | Geologic Environmental Internship | |
or GEOG 482R | GIS Internship | |
or GEOG 489R | Student Research in Geography | |
or GEOG 490R | Special Topics in Geography | |
or GEO 482R | Geologic Environmental Internship | |
or GEO 489R | Student Research | |
or GEO 495R | Independent Study | |
| Independent Study (1-4) | ||
| Climate Change in Science and Society (3) | ||
| Geomorphology WE and Geomorphology Lab (4) | ||
| Geomorphology WE 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 PP or Natural Disasters and the Environment PP or The Dinosaurian World PP or Geology of National Parks PP | 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 Management PP | ||
| Environmental Careers | ||
| Science Excursion | ||
GEO 1020 | ||
| Introduction to Oceanography PP | ||
| Historical Geology and Historical Geology Laboratory | ||
| Introduction to Physical Geography PP | ||
| Introduction to Meteorology PP | ||
| 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 SS | ||
| Fundamentals of Weather Forecasting PP | ||
| Upper Division Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| Upper Division Electives | 8 | |
| Credit Hours | 8 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 22 | |