Geosciences Minor

NSM PEAK

The Geosciences minor is designed to provide students with a background in Earth sciences. Students seeking majors outside of the sciences will gain knowledge and skills for communicating the relevance of Earth systems science to society and human dimensions.  Students may NOT minor in both Geography and Geosciences.

13-15 credits

Minor Requirements

Minor core requirements. Complete TWO of the following (7-8 credits):

ENV-161Environmental Systems Science

3 credits

ENV-161LEnvironmental Systems Science Lab

1 credit

GEO-101Physical Geology

3 credits

GEO-101LPhysical Geology Lab

1 credit

GEO-150Physical Geography

3 credits

Complete TWO of the following (6-7 credits):

GEO-310Earth's Dynamic Climate System

3 credits

GEO-320Watershed Hydrology

3 credits

ENV-350Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

2 credits

ENV-350LIntroduction to Geographic Information Systems Lab

1 credit

-
 

PHY-231General Physics I

3 credits

PHY-231LGeneral Physics I Lab

1 credit

-
or

PHY-271Analytical Physics I

3 credits

PHY-271LAnalytical Physics I Lab

1 credit

Complete one Mathematics course (3-4 credits):

The credits for the math requirement (MAT-125, MAT-150, or MAT-212) are counted in the Professional Foundations minor.

MAT-125Data Analysis and Statistics

3 credits

-
or

MAT-150Applied Calculus: A Modeling Approach

4 credits

-
or

MAT-212Multiple Regression Analysis

3 credits

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this minor, students will be able to:

1. Identify the materials and the processes (geologic, hydrologic, climatic) that form the Earth now and in its history;

2. Articulate the complexity of Earth as a dynamic and finite setting for human existence, including the rates of geologic change and the processes that form Earth’s resources; and

3. Apply the scientific method in geosciences through careful study of foundational data followed by building to broader concepts.