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.

SUBJECT AREA	COURSE NUMBER	COURSE NAME	CREDITS
Geosciences, Marine Sciences, and Environmental Sciences       (43-44+ Credits)
	GEO-100	Earth Systems Science	3
	GEO-102	Earth Materials and Processes Lab	1
	ENV-200	Statistical and Computer Applications in the Natural Sciences1	4
	GEO-201	Elements of Mineralogy	4
	MAR-210	Marine Life Through Time	4
	GEO-305	Petrology and Petrography	4
	GEO-306	Sedimentology	4
	GEO-307	Stratigraphy	4
	GEO-310	Structural Geology	4
	GEO-350	Soils and Surficial Processes	4
	GEO-407	Hydrology and Water Resources	4
	N/A	Completion of an approved geology field camp experience2	3-4+
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
Mathematics (4 Credits)3  One course from the following:
	MTH-105	Algebra and Trigonometry	4
	MTH-210	Calculus I	4
	MTH-211	Calculus II	4
	MTH-212	Calculus III	4
Physics (8 Credits)  Take either PHY-100, 100L, 101, and 101L; or PHY-200 and PHY-201:
	PHY-100 or 200	Principles of Physics I or General Physics I	3 or 4
	PHY-100L	Principles of Physics I Lab	1
	PHY-101 or 201	Principles of Physics II or General Physics II	3 or 4
	PHY-101L	Principles of Physics II Lab	1
Electives (3 Credits)  One course from the following:
	ENV-205	Introduction to Geographical Information Systems	3
	ENV-375	Environmental Biogeochemistry	3
	GEO-168	Mesozoic Ruling Reptiles: Dinosaurs, Pterosaurs, and Plesiosaurs	3
	GEO-480	Senior Thesis4	3
	MAR-340	Marine Processes and Environments: Seminar	3

   

TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED: 66-67+ (In addition to CLAES core requirements)

Completion of the OSHA HAZWOPER Training Course, LIB-300, is recommended for those students planning on employment within the environmental industry. This 40-hour, three-credit course, sponsored by the Rider University College of Continuing Studies, is approved by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and 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 in biology, chemistry, oceanography, physics, or marine sciences is recommended.

¹A Department of Mathematics course at the 200 level or above may substitute for Statistical and Computer Applications in the Natural Sciences.

²Rider 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.

³Graduate schools usually require at least one semester of calculus.

⁴Required for honors in geosciences (see below).

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.