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2012-2014 Catalog
Geology and Earth Science
Randy Gabrys-Alexson, Professor
William Bajjali, Associate Professor
Andrew Breckenridge, Assistant Professor
Kristin Riker-Coleman, Assistant Professor
The Earth Science program includes minors in Earth Science and Water Resources Management. Related minors in Geography and Applied GIS are described in the Geography section of this catalog. Students who are interested in the field of geology are encouraged to consult with one of the faculty members in this program.
The Earth Science Minor is designed to complement other fields of study. The minor provides a general overview and context of the basic principles and concepts of geology and is a good option for people pursuing careers in the natural sciences.
Viable employment opportunities exist for graduates in the areas of hydrogeology and environmental remediation. Well-qualified scientists with a background in geology, hydrology, chemistry and geographic information systems (GIS) are required to meet this need.
21 total credits
Required courses (8 credits required--select two courses):
| GEOL 110 | The Dynamic Earth -- 4 credits |
| GEOL 112 | Historical Geology -- 4 credits |
| GEOL 130 | Environmental Geology -- 4 credits |
Elective courses (13 credits required):
| PHYS 100 GEOG 241 |
Astronomy -- 4 credits Fundamentals of GIS I -- 4 credits |
| GEOL 315 | Climatology -- 3 credits |
| GEOL 350 | Oceanography -- 3 credits |
| GEOG 350 | Geography of Wisconsin -- 3 credits |
| GEOG 360 | Geomorphology -- 4 credits |
| GEOL 400 | Watershed Hydrology -- 4 credits |
| GEOL 481 | Special Topics - 1-4 credits |
| GEOL 491 | Undergraduate Research ** -- 1-4 credits |
| GEOL 496 | Internship ** -- 1-4 credits |
**A combined maximum of four credits may be earned in GEOL 491 and 496.
22 total credits
This minor has been designed in cooperation with the Water Quality and Watershed Science programs at Vermilion Community College in Ely, Minnesota. Students may complete many of the courses for this minor at Vermillion prior to transferring to UW-Superior. UW-Superior students may take one year of study at Vermilion and complete the minor at UW-Superior.
Two approved courses numbered above 300 at UW-Superior:
| GEOL 400 | Watershed Hydrology -- 4 credits |
Plus choices from below
Rquired courses from Vermilion Community College (11 credits required):
| WQAL/WSHD 1656 | Environmental Compliance -- 3 credits (transfers to UW-Superior as as GEOL 189) |
| WQAL WHSD/NRT 1258 | Soils and Hydrology -- 3 credits (transfers to UW-Superior as GEOL 189) |
| WQAL/WHSD 2265 | Water and Wastewater Analysis -- 5 credits (transfers in to UW-Superior as GEOL 289) |
Required Elective courses (7 credits required): from Vermilion Community College
| WQAL/WSHD 1255 | Field Visits -- 1-3 credits (transfers to UW-Superior as GEOL 189) |
| WQAL/SHSD 2268 | Water Management -- 3 credits (transfers to UW-Superior as GEOL 289) |
| WQAL 2269 | Water and Wastewater Analysis II -- 3 credits (transfers to UW-Superior as CHEM 300) |
| OR | |
| CHEM 300 | Water Chemistry -- 3 credits (UW-Superior) |
| ESCI 1559 | Meteorology -- 3 credits (Vermilion Community College) (transfers to UW-Superior as GEOL 189) |
| GEOL 360 | Geomorphology -- 4 credits (UW-Superior) |
| LSTU 303 | Environmental Law and Regulation -- 3 credits (UW-Superior) |