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 Geosciences and Geography.

Minor Requirements

16-19 credits

Introduction to Physical Geology (4 credits)

ENV-101Physical Geology

3 credits

ENV-101LPhysical Geology Lab

1 credit

Electives (7-8 credits)

Complete two courses and any associated labs.

CHE-141General Chemistry I

3 credits

CHE-141LGeneral Chemistry Laboratory I

1 credit

-
 

ENV-150Physical Geography

3 credits

-
 

ENV-161Environmental Systems Science

3 credits

ENV-161LEnvironmental Systems Science 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

Applications (5-7 credits)

Complete two courses and any associated labs.

ENV-296Research Practicum

2-3 credits

-
or

ENV-496Advanced Research Practicum

3 credits

-
 

ENV-320Earth's Dynamic Climate System

3 credits

-
 

ENV-310Geomorphology

3 credits

ENV-310LGeomorphology Laboratory

1 credit

-
 

ENV-350Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

2 credits

ENV-350LIntroduction to Geographic Information Systems Lab

1 credit

Mathematics (3-4 credits)

Complete one course.

MAT-125Data Analysis and Statistics

3 credits

MAT-150Applied Calculus: A Modeling Approach

4 credits

MAT-212Multiple Regression Analysis

3 credits

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

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.