Department of Geology
The department offers a major in Geology, a minor in Geology, and a minor in Earth Science. (A PDF version of the requirements for printing can be found here). Also the department offers a geology track as part of the major in Environmental Science. The requirements for the majors and minors are outlined below. Additional degree requirements are available from the College Registrars Web Page or in the current University Catalogue.
The major consists of 36 semester hours in geology. Requirements for the geology major were changed slightly in the spring of 2009. The requirements for students who enroll at Mount Union after July 1, 2009 are listed below. Students who enrolled before 2009 have the option of completing their major using either the new requirements or the old requirements (which can be viewed here) Contact us for more details or if you have questions.
|
Course # |
Course Title | Sem. Hrs. |
| GY 110 or 112 | Physical Geology | 3 or 4 |
| GY 212Q | Historical Geology | 4 |
| GY 301 | Mineralogy | 4 |
| GY 302 | Petrology | 4 |
| GY 325 | Stratigraphy and Sedimentation | 4 |
| GY 330 | Structural Geology | 4 |
| GY 381-384 | Geology Seminar |
2 |
| GY 425 | Senior Culminating Experience | 4 |
| Geology Electives | 6-7 | |
| TOTAL | 36 | |
In addition the following courses from outside the geology department are required for the major:
|
Course # |
Course Title | Sem. Hrs. |
| MA 120 or MA 141 | Precalculus or Calculus I (MA 141 is strongly recommended, but not required) | 4 |
| CH 110W or CH 111W |
Foundations in Chemistry or Concepts in Chemistry |
4 |
| PH 101 or BI xxx | General Physics I or one biology course (not including BI 120 or BI 122) | 3-5 |
| TOTAL |
11-13 |
Additional Notes
EV 280 GIS: Environmental Applications can be used as a geology elective in the major.
Students are encouraged to undertake independent study by enrolling in GY 385 and/or GY 410.
Students planning graduate study should note that most geology departments require two courses each in chemistry, physics and calculus, and completion of a summer field course. Some graduate programs require a reading knowledge of a second language.
Certain requirements may be waived at the discretion of the department if the student presents acceptable alternatives.
The Environmental Science major requires students to complete four "core" courses in environmental science, four "breadth experience" courses, and to chose a group of courses from one of three "depth experience" (Geology, Chemistry, or Biology). The requirements for an environmental science major with a geology depth experience are outlined below. Additional information on the environmental science major, including optional depth experiences in biology and chemistry are available here.
Environmental Science "Core" Courses
|
Course # |
Course Title | Sem. Hrs. |
| EV 190 | Introduction to Environmental Science | 3 |
| EV 210 (GY 210) | Hydrology and Water Resources | 4 |
| EV 350 | Case Studies in Environmental Sciences | 3 |
| EV 400 | Environmental Practicum | 3 |
Environmental Science "Breadth" Experience
|
Course # |
Course Title | Sem. Hrs. |
| PL 290 | Environmental Ethics | 3 |
| EC 205 | Introduction to Economics | 3 |
| PS 207 | Environmental Law and Policy | 3 |
| MA 123 or 141 or 151 | Statistics or Calculus I or Calculus I for Life Sciences | 3-4 |
Environmental "Depth Experience" in Geology
|
Course # |
Course Title | Sem. Hrs. |
| GY 110 or 112 | Physical Geology | 3 or 4 |
| GY 212 | Historical Geology | 4 |
| GY 301 | Mineralogy | 4 |
| GY 325 | Stratigraphy and Sedimentation | 4 |
| CH 110W or 111W | Foundations in Chemistry or Concepts in Chemistry | 4 |
| BI 141 | The Diversity of Life | 4 |
| Any from the following courses totaling at least 14 hours (At least 7 must be GY hours) | ||
| GY 270 | Regional
Geology |
3 |
| GY 302 | Petrology
|
4 |
| GY 320 | Paleontology
|
4 |
| GY 330 | Structural
Geology |
4 |
| GY 410 | Research
|
1-4 |
| BI 322 | Ecotoxicology
|
3 |
| BI 325 | Environmental
Soil Science |
4 |
| EV 280 | GIS: An
Environmental Approach |
3 |
| CH 210 | Environmental Chemistry | 4 |
| Or another appropriate course approved by the director of the Environmental Science Program | ||
| Total (Core+ Breadth Experience+ Depth Experience) | 52-55 |
Geology minor consists of 15 semester hours of coursework as outlined below.
| Course # | Course Title | Sem. Hrs. |
| GY 110 or 112 | Physical Geology | 3 or 4 |
| GY 212 | Historical Geology | 4 |
| Geology Electives
(GY 301, 320, 325, and 330 are most suitable, but other GY courses can be selected) |
7-8 | |
| TOTAL | 15 |
The minor in Earth Science consists of 17 - 18 semester hours of coursework from biological, earth/space, physical, and environmental sciences.
| Course # | Course Title | Sem. Hrs. |
| GY 112 | Physical Geology | 4 |
| GY 212 | Historical Geology | 4 |
| PH 120 | Astronomy | 4 |
|
BI 120 or BI 122 or CH 100/101 or PH 110 |
Choose one of the following: Contemporary Biology, or Introductory Chemistry, or Concepts of Physics | 3-4 |
| Geology Elective (200 or higher) | 2-4 | |
| TOTAL | 17-18 |
Note the Earth Science minor is not available for students majoring in biology, chemistry, geology, or physics
Last updated 03/10/2011