School of Arts and Sciences
Geosciences

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Course listings for Geography and Geology

Professor
James D. Collier

Associate Professors
Gary L. Gianniny
Ray Kenny

Assistant Professors
David A. Gonzales
Kimberly A. Hannula
W. Scott White

The department offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology with three different options: Geology, Environmental Geology, and Earth Science for Secondary Teachers. The Geology option is designed to meet the needs of students wishing to continue their education in graduate school or to work as professional geologists. The Environmental Geology option is designed for students planning to work in the areas of natural resource management and environmental impact assessment and remediation. The Earth Science for Secondary Teachers option is designed for students whose specific goal is to teach earth science at the secondary school level.

The department also has course offerings in Geography and a minor in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). A student-constructed major in geography is available, in which students can concentrate on three tracks: physical geography, human geography, or geography technologies (including GIS). Geography classes are recommended for those students who wish to enhance their understanding of such topics as geopolitics, world cultures, globalization, weather and climate, natural landscapes and mountain environments, in addition to technical topics such as computer mapping and GIS.

The study of geosciences at Fort Lewis College is strengthened by the College's proximity to the remarkable natural geological laboratory in the Southern Rocky Mountains and adjacent areas of the Southwest. The Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Shiprock, and the San Juan volcanic field and mining district are representative of classical geological localities nearby. The numerous outcrops and mine and oil field workings are sources of excellent real-world experiences for students. Also, the sequence of rocks in the Animas River Valley represents literally hundreds of millions of years of earth history. Laboratory and field equipment and geological holdings in the College library are available for research and reading.

Advanced graduate work in geology is required for positions in state and federal surveys, petroleum and mining companies, and college teaching. Employment with engineering firms, governmental agencies, mining companies, and environmental consulting organizations, among others, is available for persons with bachelors degrees in geology and environmental geology.

Students majoring in geology may be certified to teach science at the secondary level. To obtain requirements for teacher certification, please contact the Department of Teacher Education. A minor in geology is available for students majoring in other disciplines. Requirements for a minor in geology are listed at the end of this section.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE WITH A MAJOR IN GEOLOGY:
Courses: Credits:
Geology Option:
General Education 35-46
** Courses marked with double asterisks may also be counted toward TS 1 requirements.
Specific Departmental Requirements:
**Geol 107Nx Earth Systems Science
OR
**Geol 113Tx Physical Geology		 4
Geol 114 Historical Geology 4
Geol 202 Geologic Methods 2
Geol 207 Mineralogy 3
Geol 208 Optical Mineralogy 4
Geol 210 Petrology 3
Geol 323 Geomorphology 4
Geol 333 Introductory Paleontology 3
Geol 337 Structural Geology 4
Geol 361 Stratigraphy and Sedimentation 4
Geol 363 Sedimentary Petrology
OR
Geol 364 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology		 4
Geol 380W Technical Writing in Geology 3
Geol 405 Geologic Data Analysis 4
Geol 441 Field Geology 6
Geol 496 Senior Seminar I - Research 1
Geol 497 Senior Seminar II - Thesis 2
Subtotal Specific Departmental Requirements 55
Auxiliary Requirements:
Chem 150 Fundamentals of Chemistry I 4
**Chem 151Tx Fundamentals of Chemistry II 4
OR  
Gel 420 Introduction to Geochemistry 4
**Math 221Q Calculus I 4
One of the following:
**Math 222Q, **Math 201Q, **BA 253Q, or **Psyc 241Q 4
Phys 201 College Physics
OR
**Phys 217Tx Physics for Science and Engineering I		 5
Phys 202 College Physics
OR
Phys 218 Physics for Science and Engineering II		 5
Subtotal Auxiliary Requirements 26
Free Electives (variable)
TOTAL REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION 120
Note to transfer and former students: If you have taken any of your major requirements and received a different number of credits than listed above, you may need to complete additional major credit requirements.
Environmental Geology Option:
General Education 35-46
** Courses marked with double asterisks may also be counted toward TS 1 requirements.
Specific Departmental Requirements:
**Geol 107Nx Earth Systems Science
OR
**Geol 113Tx Physical Geology 		4
Geol 114 Historical Geology 4
Geol 202 Geologic Methods 2
Geol 207 Mineralogy 3
Geol 210 Petrology 3
**Geog 250T Intro Computer Mapping/GIS 4
Geol 323 Geomorpholgy 4
Geol 337 Structural Geology 4
Geol 361 Stratigraphy and Sedimentation 4
Geol 380W Technical Writing in Geology 3
Geol 405 Geologic Data Analysis and Modeling by Computer 4
Geol 420 Introduction to Geochemistry 3
Geol 430 Engineering Geology 4
OR  
Geol 325 Introduction to Remote Sensing 3
Geol 435 Groundwater Geology 4
Geol 441 Field Geology 6
Geol 496 Senior Seminar I - Research 1
Geol 497 Senior Seminar II - Thesis 2
Subtotal Specific Departmental Requirements 58-59
Auxiliary Requirements:
Chem 150 Fundamentals of Chemistry I 4
**Chem 151Tx Fundamentals of Chemistry II 4
**Math 221Q Calculus I 4
One of the following:  
**Math 201Q, **Math 222Q, **BA 253Q, **Psyc 241Q, or Geol 405 4
Phys 201 College Physics
OR
**Phys 217Tx Physics for Science and Engineering I		 5
Subtotal Auxiliary Requirements 21
Free Electives (variable)
TOTAL REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION 120
Note to transfer and former students: If you have taken any of your major requirements and received a different number of credits than listed above, you may need to complete additional major credit requirements.
Earth Science for Secondary Teachers Option:
General Education 35-46
** Courses marked with double asterisks may also be counted toward TS 1 requirements.
Specific Departmental Requirements:
**Geol 107Nx Earth Systems Science 4
Geol 114 Historical Geology 4
**Geol 180N Oceanography 3
Geol 202 Geologic Methods 2
Geol 207 Mineralogy 3
Geol 210 Petrology 3
Geol 323 Geomorphology 4
Geol 333 Introductory Paleontology 3
Geol 332 Plate Tectonics 3
Geol 380W Technical Writing in Geology 3
Geol 401 Natural Resources and the Environment 3
Geog 335 Global Climates 3
Geol 496 Senior Seminar I - Research 1
Geol 497 Senior Seminar II - Thesis 2
Subtotal Specific Departmental Requirements 41
Auxiliary Requirements:
**Bio 112N Introduction to Biology 4
Chem 150 Fundamentals of Chemistry 4
**Math 110Q Calculus I 4
Phys 201 College Physics 5
**PhSc 206Tx Astronomy 4
Teacher Education Courses:
Ed 200 Intro to Ed in America 4
**Ed 210S Culture of Childhood and Youth 4
Ed 421 Individualized Instruction in a Pluralistic Society 6
Ed 424 Language and Math Literacy 4
Ed 495 Laboratory Experience and Seminar in the Secondary School 15
Subtotal Auxiliary Requirements 54
Free Electives (variable)
TOTAL REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION 120
Please see Teacher Education section for Teacher Licensing requirements.  
Note to transfer and former students: If you have taken any of your major requirements and received a different number of credits than listed above, you may need to complete additional major credit requirements.
PREPARATION FOR GRADUATE SCHOOL
The following additional courses are recommended for geology majors who plan to go to graduate school.
Geol 332 Plate Tectonics  
Geol 405 Geologic Data Analysis and Modeling by Computer  
French, German, or Spanish  
Engr 205 Surveying I  
Engr 103 Computer Aided Drafting  
REQUIREMENTS FOR A MINOR IN GEOLOGY:
Specific Departmental Requirements:
**Geol 113Tx Physical Geology 4 OR **Gel 107Nx Earth Systems Science 4
Geol 114 Historical Geology 4
Geol 207 Mineralogy 3
Geol 210 Petrology 3
Upper division Geology electives 10
Total Geology Minor 24