Campuses:
This is archival data. This system was retired as of August 21, 2023 and the information on this page has not been updated since then. For current information, visit catalogs.umn.edu.
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 BS 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.
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
Geology Core (42-43 cr)
Introductory Earth Science (3 - 4 cr)
EES 1110 - Geology and Earth Systems
[LE CAT, NAT SCI, SUSTAIN]
(4.0 cr)
or
EES 1610 - Oceanography
[LE CAT, NAT SCI, SUSTAIN]
(3.0 cr)
or
GEOG 1414 - The Physical Geography
[LE CAT, NAT SCI, SUSTAIN]
(4.0 cr)
Core (15 cr)
ESCI 2010 {Inactive}
(4.0 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)
Advanced Core (18 cr)
EES 2312 - Petrology
(4.0 cr)
EES 3420 - Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
(4.0 cr)
EES 4450 - Structural Geology
(4.0 cr)
EES 4800 - Principles of Geophysics
(4.0 cr)
Field Geology (6 cr)
EES 4500 - Field Geology
(6.0 cr)
Courses From Other Programs (33 cr)
Mathematics
Calculus I
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)
Calculus II
MATH 1297 - Calculus II
[LOGIC & QR]
(5.0 cr)
Physics
Introduction to Physics I and II
PHYS 1001 - Introduction to Physics I
[LE CAT, NAT SCI]
(5.0 cr)
PHYS 1002 - Introduction to Physics II
(5.0 cr)
or
General Physics I and II with labs
PHYS 2013 - General Physics I
[LE CAT, NAT SCI]
(4.0 cr)
or
PHYS 2017 - Honors: General Physics I
[NAT SCI]
(4.0 cr)
PHYS 2014 - General Physics Lab I
[NAT SCI]
(1.0 cr)
PHYS 2016 - General Physics Lab II
(1.0 cr)
Chemistry I and II with labs
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)
Advanced Writing
WRIT 3150 - Advanced Writing: Science
(3.0 cr)
Advanced Earth Science Electives (9 cr)
Take 9 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
ESCI 3xxx
·
ESCI 4xxx
·
ESCI 5xxx
·
GEOL 3xxx
·
GEOL 4xxx
·
GEOL 5xxx
Additional Advanced Electives (9 cr)
Take 9 or more credit(s) from the following:
Take 0 - 2 course(s) from the following:
·
ESCI 3xxx
·
ESCI 4xxx
·
ESCI 5xxx
·
GEOL 3xxx
·
GEOL 4xxx
·
GEOL 5xxx
·
Take 1 - 3 course(s) from the following:
·
AST 4110 - Observational Astronomy
(3.0 cr)
·
BIOL 3xxx
·
BIOL 4xxx
·
BIOL 5xxx
·
CHEM 3xxx
·
CHEM 4xxx
·
CHEM 5xxx
·
CS 3xxx
·
CS 4xxx
·
CS 5xxx
·
GEOG 3401 - Weather and Climate
(3.0 cr)
·
GEOG 4401 - Climate Science
(3.0 cr)
·
GEOG 4451 - The Geography of Soils
(4.0 cr)
·
GEOG 4446 - Water Processes and Management
(3.0 cr)
·
GIS 3xxx
·
GIS 4xxx
·
GIS 5xxx
·
LIM 5xxx
·
MATH 3xxx
·
MATH 4xxx
·
MATH 5xxx
·
PHYS 3xxx
·
PHYS 4xxx
·
PHYS 5xxx
·
STAT 3xxx
·
STAT 4xxx
·
STAT 5xxx
·
WRS 5101 - Water Policy
(3.0 cr)
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|
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | EES 1110 FST 1409 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & 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: | 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: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | GEOL 3800/EES 4800 |
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: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Summer Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Summer Odd Year |
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: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
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: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every 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: | Every 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 only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CE 5201/WRS 5101 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |