Texas A&M University Undergraduate Catalog

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College of Geosciences

Minors in Geology, Geophysics, Earth Sciences and Geoinformatics

The Department of Geology and Geophysics offers minors in three separate programs: Geology, Geophysics and Earth Sciences. Minors provide opportunities for broadening a student's background and tailoring the curriculum to specific career goals. For example, a minor in Geology or Geophysics may be especially beneficial to students majoring in fields that deal directly or indirectly with geological processes. These include agriculture, anthropology, archaeology, architecture, business, law, biology, chemistry, recreation and parks and soil science, to name a few.

The Departments of Geology and Geophysics, and Geography offer a minor in Geoinformatics. Geoinformatics is concerned with the collection, analysis and display of spatial information using geographic information systems, remote sensing, global positioning satellites and field mapping. The minor combines courses in computer science, mapping, geodesy, geographical information systems and remote sensing. Geoinformatics is used to solve problems associated with land administration, environment and natural resource management, planning and population studies in addition to traditional surveying and mapping applications. This minor represents a focused course of study, which can be combined with traditional areas of study in geology and geophysics, geography, and other areas of science and policy studies.

General Requirements for a Minor

1. Minimum of 15 credits in the discipline with at least 6 credits at the 300-400 level.
2. Minimum of 6 credits must be taken in residence at either Texas A&M in College Station or Texas A&M in Galveston.
3. Students must meet with the department's advisor for minor programs for approval of courses selected (any substitutions must be approved by the department head).
4. Minimum GPA of 2.0 must be achieved for all courses in the minor.

Additional Requirements for Specific Program

Minor in Geology

1. Either GEOL 101, 103, 104 or 320.
2. Remaining courses to be taken in Geology (except above and GEOL 308) or may include selected courses in Geography, Geophysics and Oceanography, with advisor approval.

Minor in Geophysics

1. 9 credits of Geophysics courses.
2. May include selected courses in Atmospheric Sciences, Geology and Oceanography, with advisor approval.

Minor in Earth Sciences

1. Either GEOL 101 or 104.
2. Remaining courses to be taken from at least three of the following five groups.
1. ATMO 151, 201, 206 or any upper-level courses.
2. GEOG 203, 213, 324, 330, 331, 361, 370, 390, 398, 400, 405, 434.
3. GEOL 106, 203, 301, 302, 304, 305, 306, 307, 309, 310, 312, 330, 404, 420, 451, 454; GEOP 213 or any upper-level courses.
4. GEOS 105, 405, 410.
5. OCNG 205, 251, 252, 401, 420.

Minor in Geoinformatics

1. 16 credit hours required.
2.
2. 9 hours required.
1. GEOG 390 Principles of Geographic Information Systems
2. GEOG 475 Advanced GIS
3. GEOL 352 GPS in the Geosciences
3. Two of the following four courses.
1. CPSC 111 Introduction to Computer Science Concepts and Programming
2. CPSC 211 Data Structures and Their Implementations
3. GEOG 361 Remote Sensing
4. GEOL 309 Introduction to Geological Field Methods