Geosciences Major Requirements

The Geosciences major prepares students for meaningful and productive post-baccalaureate employment and/or admission to high-quality graduate programs. The program incorporates a broad and challenging curriculum, which emphasizes and investigates many of the important geologic subdisciplines. These include rock-forming mechanisms and controls, deformational and tectonic processes, the weathering and erosion of geologic materials, the transport and deposition of derived sediments, and the physical and biological history of the Earth. In addition, all geosciences graduates attend a senior-level geology field camp where they learn not only fundamental field and mapping skills, but also how to professionally apply and integrate what they have learned in their individual courses to complex, real-world geologic problems.

PLEASE NOTE: The course requirements for this major were changed as of June 1, 2009. All students enrolled in the major after this date, including all Fall 2009 incoming students, must satisfy the new requirements listed here. Students enrolled in the major prior to June1, 2009 may elect to satisfy the new or previous requirements. Please see your GEMS academic advsior for details.

SUBJECT AREA	COURSE NUMBER	COURSE NAME	CREDITS
Geosciences, Marine Sciences, and Environmental Sciences (46+ Credits)
	ENV-200	Statistical and Computer Applications in the Natural Sciences	4
	ENV-205	Introduction to Geographical Information Systems	3
	GEO-100	Earth Systems Science	3
	GEO-102	Earth Materials and Processes Lab	1
	GEO-201	Elements of Mineralogy	4
	GEO-305	Petrology and Petrography	4
	GEO-306	Sedimentology and Stratigraphy	4
	GEO-310	Structural Geology	4
	GEO-350	Soils and Surficial Processes	4
	GEO-407	Hydrology and Water Resources	4
	MAR-120	Oceanography	3
	MAR-121	Introductory Ocenaography Lab	1
	MAR-210	Marine Life Through Time	4
	N/A	Completion of an approved geology field camp experience1	3+
Chemistry (8 Credits)
	CHE-120	Principles of Chemistry	3
	CHE-121	Principles of Chemistry Lab	1
	CHE-122	Introduction to Chemical Systems	3
	CHE-123	Quantitative Methods Lab	1
Physics (4 Credits)
	PHY-100	Principles of Physics I	3
	PHY-100L	Principles of Physics I Lab	1
Elective (3 Credits)  Select one course from the following:
	ENV-375	Environmental Biogeochemistry	3
	GEO-168	Mesozoic Ruling Reptiles: Dinosaurs, Pterosaurs, and Plesiosaurs	3
	MAR-340	Marine Processes and Environments: Seminar	3

   

TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED: 61+ (In addition to CLAES core requirements). Geosciences majors also will take either MTH-105: Algebra and Trigonometry or MTH-210: Calculus I to satisfy the CLAES mathematics core requirement².

Completion of a OSHA HAZWOPER Training Course is recommended for those students planning on employment within the environmental industry. This 40-hour course fulfills the requirements for the OSHA Hazardous Materials Technician, Level A and the 29 CFR 1910.20 regulations. Students who complete the course are fully certified to handle hazardous materials and waste products. Because OSHA certification normally is required for job positions in the environmental industry, OSHA-certified students are more competitive for summer, part-time, and full-time employment opportunities.

A minor or double major in biology, chemistry, or marine sciences is recommended.

¹Rider University does not offer a geology field camp. Students fulfill this requirement by successfully completing (grade of C or better) an approved geology field camp offered by an accredited institution.

²Graduate schools usually require at least one semester of calculus.

HONORS PROGRAM IN GEOSCIENCES

Graduation with Honors in Geosciences is awarded in recognition of majors who have demonstrated outstanding academic ability. Enrollment in the program is by invitation of the GEMS faculty. Eligibility requirements include a minimum GPA of 3.5 in courses required for the major and the satisfactory completion of a senior thesis. In addition, an honors candidate must maintain an overall minimum GPA of 3.0.

 

Please see the Academic Catalogs for more information, including course descriptions.

Disclaimer: This information is taken from a recent published version of a Rider University academic catalog or manual, though not necessarily the most recent. Please be aware that, while the University makes reasonable efforts to keep website material current and correct, this information is subject to the University's academic policy committees, relevant accreditation organizations, and (in some instances) state and federal laws and regulations. For this and other reasons it may be subject to change at any time without notice and without being immediately reflected on the Web site.