Campuses:
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Duluth Campus
Geological Sciences B.S.D Earth & Environmental Sci
Swenson College of Science and Engineering
The study of geology provides ways of understanding and appreciating dynamic earth processes, our physical environment, and our place in the long and complex history of the planet and solar system. It is by nature interdisciplinary and attracts students with broad interest in earth science, archaeology, astronomy, biology, chemistry, engineering, environmental science, applied mathematics, oceanography, limnology and/or physics. The B.S. degree in geological sciences can lead to rewarding careers in industry, government, conservation, law, business, and academia.
Geology requires a solid base of knowledge in related sciences (chemistry and physics) and mathematics, as well as a solid core of geology courses. A summer course in field mapping is also required.
The B.S. degree with the exploration and mining track is designed for students interested in a career in the exploration and mining industries. The track includes a solid core of geoscience courses with a focus on courses related to exploration and mining geology. A summer course in field mapping is also required.
Honors Requirements: To attain department honors, students must undertake an independent research project and maintain a cumulative overall GPA of 3.00. The research can be part of a UROP, directed research, independent study, or an internship with a faculty member. Students must either make a brief oral presentation to the department summarizing their results and produce a research paper (minimum 10 pages) OR give an oral or poster presentation of their research results at a regional or national meeting (e.g., GSA, AGU, ILSG, or similar campus event).
Program Delivery
This program is available:
Admission Requirements
For information about University of Minnesota admission requirements, visit the
Office of Admissions
website.
General Requirements
Program Requirements
Requirements for the B.S. in geological sciences include:
* Minor or double major.
Geology Core Courses (42-43 cr)
EES 2110 - Reconstructing Earth's Climate History
(4.0 cr)
EES 2120 - The Earth's Dynamic Interior
(3.0 cr)
EES 2311 - Mineralogy
(4.0 cr)
EES 2312 - Petrology
(4.0 cr)
EES 3210 {Inactive}
(4.0 cr)
EES 3420 - Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
(4.0 cr)
GEOL 3800 {Inactive}
(4.0 cr)
EES 4450 - Structural Geology
(4.0 cr)
EES 4500 - Field Geology
(6.0 cr)
Advanced Electives (4-9 cr)
With the exception of GEOL 4110, take 4-9 credits of electives as listed below. GEOG 3563 and 3564 (6 credit total) may be substituted for 4 credits of advanced electives. Six credits of limnology courses may be substituted for advanced electives.
Students pursuing the exploration and mining track are required to take 4 credits, all other students are required to take 9 credits.
Take 4 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
AST 4110 - Observational Astronomy
(3.0 cr)
·
GEOL 3xxx
·
GEOL 4xxx
·
GEOL 5xxx
Courses Required From Other Programs (33 cr)
WRIT 3150 - Advanced Writing: Science
(3.0 cr)
Math requirement
MATH 1290 - Calculus for the Natural Sciences
[LE CAT2, LOGIC & QR]
(5.0 cr)
or
MATH 1296 - Calculus I
[LE CAT, LOGIC & QR]
(5.0 cr)
MATH 1297 - Calculus II
[LOGIC & QR]
(5.0 cr)
Physics requirement
PHYS 1001 - Introduction to Physics I
[LE CAT, NAT SCI]
(5.0 cr)
PHYS 1002 - Introduction to Physics II
(5.0 cr)
or
PHYS 2013 - General Physics I
[LE CAT, NAT SCI]
(4.0 cr)
PHYS 2014 - General Physics Lab I
[NAT SCI]
(1.0 cr)
PHYS 2015 - General Physics II
(4.0 cr)
PHYS 2016 - General Physics Lab II
(1.0 cr)
Chemistry requirement
CHEM 1153 - General Chemistry I
[LE CAT, NAT SCI]
(4.0 cr)
CHEM 1154 - General Chemistry Lab I
[LE CAT, NAT SCI]
(1.0 cr)
CHEM 1155 - General Chemistry II
(4.0 cr)
CHEM 1156 - General Chemistry Lab II
(1.0 cr)
or
CHEM 1161 {Inactive}
[LE CAT4, NAT SCI]
(5.0 cr)
CHEM 1162 {Inactive}
(5.0 cr)
Program Sub-plans
A sub-plan is not required for this program.
Exploration and Mining Geology
The exploration and mining geology track is designed for students interested in a career in the exploration and/or mining industries. The track includes a solid core of geoscience courses with a focus on courses related to exploration and mining geology. The track includes a course in field mapping.
Students completing the exploration and mining geology track are required to take the 43-44 credits of geology core courses required of all students. They are only required to take 4 credits of advanced electives along with 27-28 credits of courses required from other programs (listed above). They must also complete the requirements below.
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Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | EES 2110/FST 2082 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | EES 2120/FST 2083 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | EES 2311/EES 2301 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 5.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | EES 2312/FST 2342 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | EES 3420/FST 3730 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 5.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 6.0 [max 6.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | EES 1110 FST 1409 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | EES 1130/FST 1410 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | EES 1610/FST 1512 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 5.0 [max 5.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Math1290/1296/1596 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 5.0 [max 5.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Math1290/1296/1596 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 5.0 [max 5.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Math 1597/1297 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 5.0 [max 5.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 5.0 [max 5.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CHEM 1173/CHEM 1153/CHEM 1161 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CHEM 1174/CHEM 1154 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CHEM 1175/CHEM 1155/CHEM 1162 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CHEM 1176/CHEM 1156 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Fall Odd Year |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |