Geography - 21 s.h.

Note: This minor is not open to students majoring in Geographic Information Science.

1. Any three courses selected from: GEOG 100, 110, 121; GIS 108; METR 120: 10–12 s.h.
2. Upper division electives to be approved by the advisor: 8–9 s.h. Earth, Atmospheric, and Geographic Information Sciences 183

Geographic Information Systems - 20 s.h.

Note: This minor is not open to students majoring in Geographic Information Science.

1. GIS 202, 309, and 405: 10 s.h.
2. Choose one of the following courses: GIS 402, 407, 408: 3 s.h.
3. Choose two of the following courses: GIS 108, 201, 302, 402, 403, 404, 407, 408, 410: 6–7 s.h.

Geology - 18 s.h.

1. GEOL 110: 4 s.h.
2. Choose 1 of the following courses: GEOL 112, 113, 115: 3–4 s.h.
3. Departmental Electives chosen from among: 10 s.h.
   GEOL 200, 301, 310, 320, 330, 340, 375, 380, 420, 421

Influences from geology can be found in all aspects of human society. This includes crop growth, safe drinking water, natural disaster recovery, infrastructure and goods, international trade, and consumer goods. Many courses in geology do not require a student to have taken math, physics, or chemistry beyond those required by their major. A geology minor pairs well with any major, but can be particularly important for Biology and Forensic Chemistry majors. Additionally it is beneficial to students in Agriculture, Construction Management and Emergency Management. Knowledge of the processes of the Earth is critical to many areas in these subjects.

Agriculture

Proper understanding of soil types, erosion, and rock strength are critical in agriculture and engineering. Different soil types have different elements necessary for plant growth. Knowledge of how these soils form, behave, and how they are affected by erosion can be especially useful in Agriculture.

Biology

Geology provides the knowledge about the environment and habitat that is required to fully understand any form of life. Geologic knowledge is also used for controlling pollution, preserving water resources, and remediation of hazardous waste sites. A proper understanding of Earth history and Earth processes is critical for the study of evolution

Construction Management

Understanding how rock can support structures and knowledge of the underlying geologic processes, such as faults, can greatly affect Engineering and Construction locations. From being able to affordably provide the material to build roads to providing salt and sand to keep them safe in winter weather, geology plays a major role in transportation and construction. Being able to identify rocks and minerals in the field for these positions can greatly impact one’s career. A region’s geology also has a tremendous impact on building codes, and understanding the forces of the earth at play can make the difference between the creation of a safe structure or one that endangers lives in a disaster.

Emergency Management

Understanding natural geologic disasters can have an impact on evacuations and emergency planning. Knowledgeable reactions in the event of earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic events, sink-holes, landslides, and floods are important to law enforcement, emergency management, city planners, and government officials. A background in geology can help locate available safe drinking water for communities as well as allow cartographers and planners to prepare maps for evacuation plans, property values, and insurance rates

Forensic Chemistry

Crimes rarely take place in a chemistry lab. Many crime scenes are outside and knowledge about the environment in which the crime took place can be important to solving the case. The number of cases being solved based on soil evidence is greatly increasing as the importance and knowledge of geology to criminal investigations is increasing. Being a geology minor will give you the advantage in solving crimes because of your knowledge in the key areas such as soils, mineralogy, and polarized microscopy.

Weather and Climate - 17 s.h.

1. METR 120, 220, 327, 337: 13 s.h.
2. Choose one of the following:
   GEOG 301, 430; METR 300, 322, 329, 333, 432: 3–4 s.h.