The Environmental Geology Certificate is designed to develop a core component of skills in geology that are relevant to solving environmental problems. This certificate will complement students of any major who are interested in pursuing employment in environmental science or resource management job sectors. Courses within the certificate place an emphasis on understanding and solving problems associated with our regional geologic environment.
Program Requirements
Major Common Core
Physical geology is the study of how the earth works. From mountain building to soil erosion, this course provides an introduction to all the main areas of geologic study. Lecture discussions and laboratory exercises are designed for students seeking a major or minor in one of the natural sciences.
Prerequisites:
none
Goal Areas:
GE-03, GE-10
Examination of the elemental composition and crystal structure of various common minerals. Laboratory time is spent practicing techniques of identifying crystals and minerals. The importance and occurrence of many economic minerals is also covered thoroughly in this course.
Prerequisites:
GEOL 100 or GEOL 107 or GEOL 121
Focused studies of the origins and processes of transportation, deposition, burial, and diagenesis of sedimentary materials. Lab assignments focus on sedimentary material identification and analysis. Field trips required.
The application of geologic data and principles to problems created by human occupancy and use of the physical environment. Lecture and laboratory topics include soil classification and conservation, hazardous waste site evaluation and remediation, and living with geologic hazards.
Prerequisites:
GEOL 100 GEOL 104 or GEOL 107 or GEOL 121
This course introduces physical and chemical studies of hydrogeology. The main areas of discussion will include the physical and chemical attributes of aquifers, movement of ground-water and solute through soils and rocks, and reactions between earth materials and pollutants in ground-water systems. The class includes extensive use of MODFLOW and MT3D, the two most commonly usedgroundwater modeling programs currently available.
This is a lecture course introducing students to major federal environmental laws and regulations. Discussions include the cause(s) that prompted the enactment of various environmental legislation as well as intent and implementation of the legislation. Both Federal and State of MN environmental statutes will be discussed.
Prerequisites:
none
Major Restricted Electives
Choose one course not used to satisfy requirements above.
This is a lecture course that introduces students to sources and controls for pollutants in air, water, and soils including hazardous waste. Chemical and biological mechanisms that are important in nature and used to control/treat various types of pollutants are emphasized. Strongly recommended that this course be taken immediately after completing 1 year of Chemistry.
Prerequisites:
1 year CHEM
The purpose of this lecture/lab class is to introduce students to standard practices and procedures used in sampling and analysis of environmental matrices and to develop an environmental research project. Standard quality control/quality assurance procedures per EPA are emphasized.
Prerequisites:
none
Introduces students to National Environmental Policy Act and requirements for Environmental Impact Statements and Environmental Assessment Worksheets. Phase I Environmental Assessment of land and buildings, an international perspective on environmental assessments, and economic and social impact assessment are discusseed.
Prerequisites:
ENVR 440
The application of geologic data and principles to problems created by human occupancy and use of the physical environment. Lecture and laboratory topics include soil classification and conservation, hazardous waste site evaluation and remediation, and living with geologic hazards.
Prerequisites:
GEOL 100 GEOL 104 or GEOL 107 or GEOL 121
This course introduces physical and chemical studies of hydrogeology. The main areas of discussion will include the physical and chemical attributes of aquifers, movement of ground-water and solute through soils and rocks, and reactions between earth materials and pollutants in ground-water systems. The class includes extensive use of MODFLOW and MT3D, the two most commonly usedgroundwater modeling programs currently available.
Prerequisites:
GEOL 100 or GEOL 107or GEOL 121
4-Year Plan
The 4-Year Plan is a model for completing your degree in a timely manner. Your individual 4-Year plan may change based on a number of variables including transfer courses and the semester/year you start your major. Carefully work with your academic advisors to devise your own unique plan. * Please meet with your advisor on appropriate course selection to meet your educational and degree goals.
First Year
Fall - 4 Credits
Physical geology is the study of how the earth works. From mountain building to soil erosion, this course provides an introduction to all the main areas of geologic study. Lecture discussions and laboratory exercises are designed for students seeking a major or minor in one of the natural sciences.
Prerequisites:
none
Goal Areas:
GE-03, GE-10
Second Year
Fall - 8 Credits
Examination of the elemental composition and crystal structure of various common minerals. Laboratory time is spent practicing techniques of identifying crystals and minerals. The importance and occurrence of many economic minerals is also covered thoroughly in this course.
Prerequisites:
GEOL 100 or GEOL 107 or GEOL 121
Focused studies of the origins and processes of transportation, deposition, burial, and diagenesis of sedimentary materials. Lab assignments focus on sedimentary material identification and analysis. Field trips required.
Prerequisites:
Select one course: GEOL 100, GEOL 107, GEOL 121
Spring - 4 Credits
The application of geologic data and principles to problems created by human occupancy and use of the physical environment. Lecture and laboratory topics include soil classification and conservation, hazardous waste site evaluation and remediation, and living with geologic hazards.
Prerequisites:
GEOL 100 GEOL 104 or GEOL 107 or GEOL 121
Third Year
Fall - 3 Credits
This is a lecture course introducing students to major federal environmental laws and regulations. Discussions include the cause(s) that prompted the enactment of various environmental legislation as well as intent and implementation of the legislation. Both Federal and State of MN environmental statutes will be discussed.
Prerequisites:
none
Spring - 6 Credits
This is a lecture course that introduces students to sources and controls for pollutants in air, water, and soils including hazardous waste. Chemical and biological mechanisms that are important in nature and used to control/treat various types of pollutants are emphasized. Strongly recommended that this course be taken immediately after completing 1 year of Chemistry.
Prerequisites:
1 year CHEM
This course introduces physical and chemical studies of hydrogeology. The main areas of discussion will include the physical and chemical attributes of aquifers, movement of ground-water and solute through soils and rocks, and reactions between earth materials and pollutants in ground-water systems. The class includes extensive use of MODFLOW and MT3D, the two most commonly usedgroundwater modeling programs currently available.
Prerequisites:
GEOL 100 or GEOL 107or GEOL 121
Policies
Admission to Certificate. No formal Admission to the certificate is required for Geology. Students may enroll in 300- and 400-level courses after they have successfully completed any pre-requisite courses.
P/N Grading Policy. All courses for a Geology award must be taken for a letter grade.
Successful completion of a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) can be substituted for GEOL 499 as the Capstone Experience subject to Department approval.
Degree Certificate
Major Credits 23
Total Credits 23
Locations Mankato
Career Cluster Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics