Geology Minor, B.A.; B.A.A.; B.S.

Admission Requirements, Retention & Termination Standards

In order to declare a Geology minor in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, a student must meet with a Geology program advisor and successfully complete GEL 100, or GEL 130, or GEL 101 and GEL 102, with a minimum grade of B-.
In order to remain a minor in the Geology program, students are required to maintain a minimum average 2.5 GPA in all of the minor courses. Furthermore, students must meet the following competency qualifications:
1. Written English Competency: To remain a minor in Geology, a student must have scored in at least the 80th percentile group on the university required Written English Competency Examination (CLEP) or earned a minimum grade of B- in English 101. Students not obtaining a minimum grade of B- in English 101 must have earned a minimum grade of B- in English 201. Students should be aware that this is more demanding than the general university competency requirement. Students transferring English competency or English composition course credits from another institution will be expected to meet the same standards required of CMU students.
2. Oral English Competency: To remain a minor in Geology, a student must have earned a minimum grade of B- in COM 101 or one of its accepted substitutes (TAI 302, COM 267, COM 269, COM 357, TAI 170). Students transferring COM course credits from another institution will be expected to meet the same standard required of CMU students.
3. Math Competency: To remain a minor in Geology, a student must have successfully satisfied the CMU Mathematics Competency Requirement. Students transferring MTH course credits from another institution will be expected to meet the same standards required of CMU students.

Program Requirements

Required Courses I (3-4 hours)

Students must select one of the following options:

Option A (3 hours)

GEL 100

Introduction to Earth Systems

3(2-2)

Option B (3 hours)

GEL 130

Sustainable Earth: Geology for the 21st Century

3(2-2)

Option C (4 hours)

GEL 101	Physical Geology	3(3-0)
GEL 102	Physical Geology Laboratory	1(0-2)

Required Courses II (6 hours)

GEL 201	Earth History	3(2-2)
GEL 270	Field Methods	2(0-4)
GEL 277	Research and Communication Skills in Geosciences	1(0-2)

Required Courses III (3-4 hours)

Select one of the following:

GEL 310	Introductory Mineralogy and Petrology	4(2-5)
GEL 320	Earth Materials and Resources	3(2-3)
GEL 340	Stratigraphy and Sedimentology	4(3-3)

Note: GEL 310 and GEL 340 have additional pre/co-requisites.

Electives (9 hours)

Select 200-level or higher geology courses.

Bulletins