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Macalester College Geology Department


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Geology Major Requirements

The requirements for a major in geology are: 37 credits in geology, and three supporting science courses. The 37 credits in geology must include 150, 155, 250, 255, 260, 265 and 450 (for a total of 25 credits), and 12 credits of electives. Of the required electives, 8 credits must be derived from courses in the geology curriculum numbered between 300 and 305. The three supporting science courses must include Chemistry 111 and one of the following; Math 135, 137, or 153. One additional science course can be selected from Chemistry 112, Math 253, Physics 113 or 226, or Biology 265, 270, or 285 (consult your advisor for additional options). Additional information about sub-disciplines (environmental geology, glaciology, mineralogy, petrology, structure, geophysics, paleobiology, sedimentology, stratigraphy) and suggested electives is available from the faculty in geology.

Students planning a career in the earth sciences should complete the departmental major. Students who wish to incorporate an interdisciplinary specialization into their major should consult department faculty for advice on appropriate courses. Subfields of specialization could include geophysics, environmental geology, sedimentology, glaciology, geochemistry, hydrogeology, remote sensing, and paleobiology, among others.

A description of the Geology Major and Minor requirements can also be found in the College Catalog.





Required Geology Courses (25 credits)

Course No. Course Title Credits Prerequisites
150
Dynamic Earth and Global Change
4
---
155
History and Evolution of the Earth
4
---
250
Mineralogy
4
150
255
Structural Geology
4
150+155
260
Geomorphology
4
150
265
Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
4
155
450
Senior Seminar
1
senior standing




Elective Geology Courses (12 credits total; 8 credits from 300-305 level)

Course No. Course Title Credits

Prerequisites

100
Oceanography

4
---
101
Dinosaurs
4
---
105
Exploring the Solar System
4
---
120
Environmental Geology
4
---
194
Topics (various titles)
1 to 4
---
200
Field Excursion Seminar
2
---
201
Geological Excursion
2
---
294
Topics (various titles)
1 to 4
---
300
Paleobiology
4
155
301
Geophysics
4
---
302
Petrology
4
250
303
Surface and Groundwater Geology
4
150 or 155
394
Topics (various titles)
1 to 4
---
604
Tutorial (various titles)
1 to 4
---
614
Independent Project
1 to 4
---
624
Internship
1 to 4
---
634
Preceptorship
1 to 4
---
644
Honors Independent
1 to 4
---
Also many Geology Field Courses from other institutions (consult with department Chair)




Required Supporting Courses (8 credits)

Dept Course No. Course Title Credits

Prerequisites

CHEM
111
General Chemistry I: Structure & Equilibrium

4
---
MATH
135/137
Applied Calculus or Single Variable Calculus
4/4
---
or
153
Data Analysis and Statistics
4
---




Elective Supporting Courses (4 credits)

Dept Course No. Course Title Credits Prerequisites

CHEM
112
General Chemistry II: Energetics & Reactivity

4
111
MATH
137
Single Variable Calculus
4
135
155
Intro to Statistical Modeling
4
135
237
Multivariable Calculus
4
137
253
Applied Multivariate Statistics
4
153 or 155
PHYS
113
Modern Astronomy
4
---
226
Principles of Physics I
4
---
BIOL
265
Cell Biology
4
---
270
Biodiversity & Phylogeny
4
---
285
Ecology
4
---
Also other upper level courses in Biology, Chemistry, Math/CS and Physics (consult with dept. Chair), check with dept. course descriptions to confirm prerequisites.
Blue courses are strongly recommended for students intending to pursue graduate degrees in geology.


Macalester College · 1600 Grand Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105  USA · 651-696-6000
Comments and questions to mac.geology@gmail.com