Minors

Student sitting on a bench in the boulder garden.

A minor allows an undergraduate student to specialize in a secondary discipline. A student may minor in any subject, provided the title of the minor differs from the title of the student’s major or major concentration.

A student interested in adding this minor should first express their interest to the minor advisor and then use the curriculum change portlet in MyMichiganTech to request the minor. See the Registrar’s Office website for more information.

Minors offered by our department are listed below.

Sandstone cliff showing rock layers.

Applied Geophysics

See the world through the lens of physics. You will study how physics and signal processing can be applied to investigating the Earth’s structure, searching for energy and mineral resources, and detecting contaminants in the natural environment—with the overarching goal of bettering the environment and quality of human life.


Student sitting on a hill overlooking a foggy lake.

Geological Engineering

Interested in working with infrastructure, site investigation/development, natural-hazard mitigation, or natural-resource development? Enhance your education with a minor in geological engineering, and build a practical skill set that covers the investigation, assessment, and design of systems influenced by geologic conditions. You will gain aptitude in applying science, technology, and engineering to solve problems commonly confronting such systems.


Two students with orange vests sitting outside with notebooks.

Earth Sciences

Learn about the many facets of the natural world: this minor affords students a broad education in geology and earth sciences. Electives range in content area—from natural hazards to geology field excursion to oceanography to geomorphology and glacial geology. Choose the courses that suit your interests and career goals.


People wearing hardhats and lights in a dark mine.

Mining

Have you ever wondered what industrial mining entails? This minor’s curriculum unearths the methods used in mining today. Gain a background in the basics of mining—including mining engineering and the core concerns of producing mineral resources.