Earth Sciences Minors

The Department of Earth Sciences offers a minor in Geology, minor in Earth Science, minor in Environmental Geology, and minor in Paleontology. Download our Earth Sciences Minors Brochure here.

Please contact an undergraduate advisor in Earth Sciences for assistance customizing an earth sciences minor to complement your academic interests.

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Prerequisites and/or Corequisites

Most upper-division earth sciences classes have prerequisites, many of which will be satisfied by majors in other sciences. Please consult the current version of the undergraduate course catalog for details on each minor degree: 

• Minor in Geology
• Minor in Earth Science 
• Minor in Environmental Geology 
• Minor in Paleontology 
• Minor in Computers and Geosciences

General Requirements

• Course graded on an S/U basis may not be applied to the minor.
• No more than three hours of ESCI 40096, Individual Investigation, may be applied to the minor.
• Students must meet prerequisites for courses chosen as geology (ESCI) electives.
• 2.0 GPA Admission requirement minimum.
• 2.0 GPA Graduation requirement minimum

Minor in Geology

The minor in geology is designed specifically for those who have a primary interest in a field that can be complemented by a basic knowledge of geological concepts. The minor can be of particular benefit to students majoring in anthropology, environmental law, architecture, leisure studies, business, political science, geography, journalism, and other liberal arts or science fields. 

Please see the Courses Offered page for the planned course schedule.

Minor in Earth Science 

The Earth science minor prepares students to integrate concepts and knowledge of Earth's surface, its interior, and its interactions with life and water. Scientific knowledge about Earth's processes and earth-life-water interactions is critical for making informed decisions in science education, public policy, public health, conservation, resource management and environmental consulting. Students will gain essential knowledge of Earth systems science, including the interactions of Earth's atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere over both shorter (millennium) and longer (mega-annum) time periods. 

Please see the Courses Offered page for the planned course schedule.

Minor in Environmental Geology 

The environmental geology minor prepares students to integrate concepts and knowledge of environmental geology and to communicate these issues to a variety of audiences, including policymakers and the public. Scientific knowledge about environmental geology processes is used to inform different areas of formal study such as anthropology, architecture, geography, political science, environmental law, environmental studies, and recreation and park management. Students will gain broad knowledge of geology, and the environmental impacts of anthropogenic-induced change on the Earth in the immediate short-term and over longer periods. Competencies focus on human-water-rock interactions at Earth's surface (the critical zone).

Please see the Courses Offered page for the planned course schedule.

Minor in Paleontology 

The paleontology minor prepares students to integrate concepts in geology and biology to address issues in conservation paleobiology, historical and current causes of extinctions, and evolutionary patterns on geological scales. Scientific knowledge about paleontology is used to inform different areas of formal study such as biological sciences, conservation biology, anthropology, environmental studies, geography, and museum and natural history education. Students will gain broad knowledge of paleobiology and the interplay between the geosphere and the biosphere over geologic time applied to interpretation of modern and historic floras and faunas and communication about these issues to policymakers and the public. 

Please see the Courses Offered page for the planned course schedule.

Minor in Computers and Geosciences 

The Computers and Geosciences minor provides a foundation in computer science and computational data processing for students in any field of Geosciences, allowing students to work with substantial computing and data science oriented cyber systems. The minor enables students to competitively manage the computing and cyber aspects of their professions.

Students in Computers and Geosciences minor will use Python programming language to import, clean, analyze, visualize and learn data from their real-world applications.

Please see the Courses Offered page for the planned course schedule.