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Description of the Geology Program 2007-2008

Course lists from previous catalogs are available at the Registration Services Catalog page.

The Geology program provides a Comprehensive Major with an area of emphasis selected according to the interests and career goals of the student. These emphases are: geology, geoarchaeology, petroleum geology, and secondary licensure in earth-space science. The program requirements for the various emphases range from 58 to 74 credits.

The Secondary Licensure in Earth-Space Science Emphasis qualifies students for the State of Colorado License in Science Education. Other Geology emphases may also be used for secondary licensure but may require additional classes.

Geology Major: Comprehensive Program

Geology Emphasis

The Standard Geology Emphasis requires a minimum of 64 credits:

One of the following:

Required supporting courses:

One of the following:

Either both:

or both:

Geoarchaeology Emphasis

The Geoarchaeology Emphasis requires a minimum of 60 credits:

One of the following:

Required supporting courses:

Three of the following:

Either:

or both of the following:

Petroleum Geology Emphasis

A minimum of 67 credits is required:

Required supporting courses:

Secondary Licensure in Earth-Space Science Emphasis

The Secondary Licensure in Earth-Space Science Emphasis requires a minimum of 67 credits. In addition, the student must fulfill the requirements of the Secondary Licensure Program (see description under Education).

Geology requirements:

Required supporting courses:

One of the following:

Geology Minor

A minimum of 18 credits including:

Ten credits from the following:

Capstone Course Requirement

The following courses fulfill the Capstone Course Requirement in the Geology Major: GEOL 495 Research Seminar in Geology, plus one of the following: GEOL 411 Research in Volcanology and Petrology, GEOL 420 Research in Quaternary Geology, or GEOL 465 Research in Basin Analysis (Geology Emphasis); GEOL 420 Research in Quaternary Geology, or GEOL 465 Research in Basin Analysis (Geoarchaeology Emphasis); GEOL 465 Research in Basin Analysis (Petroleum Geology Emphasis); EDUC 489 Secondary Student Teaching (Secondary Licensure in Earth-Space Science Emphasis).




Program Information:

Contact Information:

  • Administrative Assistant:
    Pam French
    970.943.2015
    pfrench@western.edu
  • Department Chair:
    Dale Orth
    970.943.3437
    dorth@western.edu
  • Address:
    Geology Program
    Hurst Hall 128
    Western State College of Colorado
    Gunnison, CO 81231
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