Geology (Minor)

Minor: Geology
Program Code: M420

About This Minor. . .

The Geology Minor is designed for students who wish to take additional basic geology courses in support of their degree aspirations in other areas. A total of 21 geology credit hours are required. Most classes have a strong field component so that students can enjoy the diverse geological setting of the Grand Junction area.  Laboratory work takes place in a state-of-the-art science complex.

Each section below contains details about the requirements for this program. Select a header to expand the information/requirements for that particular section of the program's requirements. 

To print or save an overview of this program's information, including the program description, learning outcomes, requirements, suggested course sequencing (if applicable), and advising and graduation information, scroll to the bottom of the left-hand navigation menu and select "Print Options." This will give you the options to either "Send Page to Printer" or "Download PDF of This Page." The "Download PDF of This Page" option prepares a much more concise presentation of all program information. The PDF is also printable and may be preferable due to its brevity. 

Institutional Minor Requirements

The following institutional requirements apply to all CMU minors. Specific programs may have different requirements that must be met in addition to institutional requirements.

  • A minor consists of 15-24 semester hours. There may be prerequisites required for the minor which will increase the total number of credit hours for a student who has not already taken those prerequisites.
  • Courses taken to satisfy Essential Learning, major requirements, or electives can be counted toward the minor if applicable.
  • At least 33 percent of the credit hours required for the minor must be in courses numbered 300 or above.
  • At least 25 percent of the classes must be taken at CMU.
  • 2.00 cumulative GPA or higher for the courses used for the minor.
  • A minor is not a degree by itself and must be earned at the same time as a baccalaureate degree.
  • A minor must be outside the major field of study.
  • A student may earn up to five minors with any baccalaureate degree at CMU.
  • The Catalog Year determines which program sheet and degree requirements a student must fulfill in order to graduate. Visit with your advisor or academic department to determine which catalog year and program requirements sheet you should follow.
  • See “Requirements for Undergraduate Degrees and Certificates” in the catalog for a complete list of graduation requirements.

Program Specific Minor Requirements

(21 semester hours)

Select one of the following: 14
GEOL 111
& 111L
Principles of Physical Geology-GTSC1
and Principles of Physical Geology Laboratory-GTSC1
GEOL 113
& 113L
Field-Based Introduction to Physical Geology-GTSC1
and Field-Based Introduction to Physical Geology Laboratory-GTSC1
GEOL 112
& 112L		Principles of Historical Geology-GTSC1
and Principles of Historical Geology Laboratory-GTSC1		4
GEOL 202Introduction to Field Studies3
Select one of the following: 23
GEOL 204
Computer Applications in Geology
GEOL 250
Environmental Geology
Select 7 semester hours (minimum) of the following:7
GEOL 301
& 301L
Structural Geology
and Structural Geology Laboratory
GEOL 325
Introduction to Engineering Geology
GIST 321
& 321L
Introduction to Remote Sensing
and Introduction to Remote Sensing Laboratory
GEOL 331
& 331L
Crystallography and Mineralogy
and Crystallography and Mineralogy Laboratory
GEOL 340
& 340L
Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
and Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology Laboratory
GEOL 351
Applied Geochemistry
GEOL 359
Survey of Energy-Related Natural Resources
GEOL 361
Survey of Mineral-Related Natural Resources
GEOL 402
& 402L
Applications of Geomorphology
and Applications of Geomorphology Laboratory
GEOL 404
& 404L
Geophysics
and Geophysics Laboratory
GEOL 411
& 411L
Paleontology
and Paleontology Laboratory
GEOL 444
& 444L
Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
and Sedimentology and Stratigraphy Laboratory
Total Semester Credit Hours21
1

Either GEOL 111/GEOL 111L or GEOL 113/GEOL 113L may be taken for credit, but not both.

2

Either GEOL 204 or GEOL 250 may be taken for credit, but not both.

Advising Process and DegreeWorks

Documentation on the pages related to this program is intended for informational purposes to help determine what courses and associated requirements are needed to earn a minor. Meeting with an academic advisor is essential in planning courses and developing a suggested course sequencing. It is ultimately the student’s responsibility to understand and fulfill the requirements for her/his intended minor.

DegreeWorks is an online degree audit tool available in MAVzone. It is the official record used by the Registrar’s Office to evaluate progress towards a minor. Students are responsible for reviewing their DegreeWorks audit on a regular basis and should discuss questions or concerns with their advisor or academic department head for the minor. Discrepancies in requirements should be reported to the Registrar’s Office.

Graduation Process

A minor cannot be awarded by itself.  It must be combined with a baccalaureate degree outside the major field of study. Students should follow the graduation process outlined for the baccalaureate degree and list their majors and minors on the “Intent to Graduate” form.

If a student’s petition for graduation is denied, it will be her/his responsibility to consult the Registrar’s Office regarding next steps.