Related Majors Comparison for Geology

Explore how the geology bachelor's degree compares with three related degrees within Michigan Technological University, offering insight into curriculum similarities, shared foundational courses, flexible electives, and distinct core requirements.

Compare Four Related Degrees

In the College of Engineering, the first year student experience is similar across undergraduate majors. Your second and third years have distinctive course requirements and electives. Your second and third years have distinctive course requirements and electives.

Here we can compare four related majors through select second and third year courses.

Geology

Forestry

FW 3200 - Biometrics and Data Analysis

Sampling design, implementation and analysis for inventory and monitoring of attributes of stands, forests and landscapes. Includes computing skills for data entry, storage and analysis and application of statistical techniques to answer questions about ecological data.

Credits: 4.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-3)
Semesters Offered: Spring, Summer
Pre-Requisite(s): FW 2051 and (MA 2710 or MA 2720 or MA 3710)

Applied Ecology and Environmental Science

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Chemistry

CH 2410 - Organic Chemistry I

A study of the chemistry of carbon compounds. Review of hybrid orbitals, covalent bonding, and resonance. Introduction to nomenclature, stereochemistry, mass spectrometry and infrared spectroscopy, functional group chemistry based on reaction mechanisms, and multi-step synthesis.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Summer
Pre-Requisite(s): CH 1122 or (CH 1160 and CH 1161)

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CH 3500 - Physical Chemistry for Environmental and Life Sciences

Equilibrium thermodynamics, chemical kinetics, transport properties, gas laws, and phase equilibria with an emphasis on solution behavior and applications to molecules important in the environmental and life sciences.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
Restrictions: May not be enrolled in one of the following Major(s): Chemistry, Chemical Engineering
Pre-Requisite(s): CH 1160 and CH 1161

CH 3510 - Physical Chemistry I - Thermodynamics, Equilibrium and Kinetics

Ideal and non-ideal gas laws, the kinetic theory of gases, equations of state, liquid-vapor equilibrium, the laws of thermodynamics, solid-liquid-vapor equilibria, the chemical potential, chemical equilibrium, electrochemistry, the phase rule, phase diagrams, and chemical kinetics.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Pre-Requisite(s): CH 1122 or (CH 1160 and CH 1161) and MA 2160 and (PH 2200(C) or PH 2260(C))

Review Typical Four-year Outlines for Course Sequences

Advisors create sample plans and flow charts to help you understand course requirements, electives, pre-requisites, and credit loads.

Typical Four-year Outlines

These depend on the year you enroll, or your audit year. Students can take courses in the summer, if needed.

Common First Year

Engineering majors have a common first year program.

Finding the right major means navigating a landscape of options. In the College of Engineering, the first year student experience is similar across majors. This allows you to complete many course requirements and still be on track if you should decide to change majors. In engineering, the first year may look like this:

Year 1 Fall

CH 1150 - University Chemistry I

Introduces the foundations of chemistry, including electronic structure of atoms and molecules, intermolecular forces, states of matter, chemical reactions, organic chemistry, chemical equilibria, kinetics, and acid-base chemistry. Includes laboratory component that emphasizes lecture components.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Co-Requisite(s): CH 1151
Pre-Requisite(s): MA 1031(C) or MA 1032(C) or MA 1120(C) or MA 1160(C) or MA 1161(C) or MA 1135(C) or MA 1121(C) or ALEKS Math Placement >= 61 or CEEB Calculus AB >= 2 or CEEB Calculus BC >= 2 or CEEB Calculus AB Subscore >= 2 or ACT Mathematics >= 22 or SAT MATH SECTION SCORE-M16 >= 540

CH 1151 - University Chemistry Lab I

Laboratory to accompany CH1150.

Credits: 1.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-0-3)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Co-Requisite(s): CH 1150
Pre-Requisite(s): MA 1031(C) or MA 1032(C) or MA 1120(C) or MA 1160(C) or MA 1161(C) or MA 1135(C) or MA 1121(C) or ALEKS Math Placement >= 61 or CEEB Calculus AB >= 2 or CEEB Calculus BC >= 2 or CEEB Calculus AB Subscore >= 2 or ACT Mathematics >= 22 or SAT MATH SECTION SCORE-M16 >= 540

GE 1100 - Geological Engineering and Sciences Orientation

Introduction to geosciences as a profession, including discussions of career opportunities and geoscience programs. Earth materials and the earth's processes are also introduced. Includes frequent field trips. Intended for freshman or sophomore students in geological engineering, geology, applied geophysics, hydrology, geotechnics, earth science teaching, or any other geoscience program.

Credits: 1.0; Graded Pass/Fail Only
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-0-3)
Semesters Offered: Fall
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Major(s): Geological Engineering, General Sciences and Arts, General Engineering, Mining Engineering, Applied Geophysics, Geology; May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Junior, Senior

GE 2000 - Understanding the Earth

Introduction to materials and processes that shape the earth we live on. Lecture and laboratories acquaint students with minerals, rocks, earth resources, weathering, geologic time, landslides, groundwater, streams, shorelines, deserts, glaciers, geologic structures, earthquakes, plate tectonics, and the dynamics of the earth's crust, mantle, and core.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (2-0-3)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring

MA 1160 - Calculus with Technology I

An introduction to single-variable calculus, which includes a computer laboratory. Topics include trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions, differentiation and its uses, and basic integration. Integrates symbolic tools, graphical concepts, data and numerical calculations.

Credits: 4.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-1)
Semesters Offered: Fall
Pre-Requisite(s): ALEKS Math Placement >= 86 or CEEB Calculus AB >= 3 or CEEB Calculus BC >= 3 or CEEB Calculus AB Subscore >= 3 or ACT Mathematics >= 29 or SAT MATH SECTION SCORE-M16 >= 680

PH 1100 - Physics by Inquiry I

Experiments covering kinematics, force, conservation of momentum, conservation of energy, and waves are explored through guided construction. The course emphasizes understanding physical concepts through inquiry and the scientific method

Credits: 1.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-0-2)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Pre-Requisite(s): MA 1160(C) or MA 1161(C) or MA 1121(C)

UN 1015 - College Writing, Reading, and Research

This course develops students' critical reading, writing, and research skills with a focus on strategies for information literacy, genre analysis, and source-based writing. Class projects ask students to write in multiple genres with attention to audience, purpose, and context.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Freshman, Sophomore

Year 1 Spring

MA 2160 - Calculus with Technology II

Continued study of calculus, which includes a computer laboratory. Topics include integration and its uses, function approximation, vectors, and elementary modeling with differential equations.

Credits: 4.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-1)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Pre-Requisite(s): MA 1160 or MA 1161 or MA 1135 or MA 1121 or CEEB Calculus AB >= 3 or CEEB Calculus BC >= 3 or CEEB Calculus AB Subscore >= 3

PH 2100 - University Physics I-Mechanics

A calculus-based introduction to classical mechanics. Topics include kinematics, Newton's laws, impulse and momentum, work and energy, and the universal law of gravitation. C or better/AP credit in Calc 1 or co-requisite registration in PH2110 required.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (2-1-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Pre-Requisite(s): PH 1100(C) and (MA 1160 or MA 1161 or MA 1121 or MA 1135 or MA 2160(C) or MA 3160(C))

CH 1160 - University Chemistry II

A continuation of CH 1150. Introduces more complex concepts in chemistry, including kinetics, chemical equilibria, acid-base equilibria, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, and chemical analysis. Additional topics may include chemistry of the metals and non-metals, biochemical systems, and nuclear chemistry. Includes laboratory component that emphasizes lecture concepts.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Co-Requisite(s): CH 1161
Pre-Requisite(s): CH 1112 or (CH 1150 and CH 1151)

CH 1161 - University Chemistry Laboratory II

Laboratory to accompany CH1160.

Credits: 1.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-0-3)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Co-Requisite(s): CH 1160
Pre-Requisite(s): CH 1112 or (CH 1150 and CH 1151)

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In this sample plan, there are only two major-related courses required during the first two semesters, GE 1100 and GE 2000.

Design and Research Capstone

You will have the design and research experience as a senior.

Engineering students and those in the sciences will participate in a research or design project for their capstone or senior year. Engineering students can choose Senior Design or Enterprise for their capstone initiative. A student may find a research project at any time in their undergraduate career. Geology majors have summer field courses and geology electives.

Geology Summer Field Courses

GE 4090 - Field Geophysics

Introduction to field geophysical techniques including basic land surveying. Emphasizes the recording, reduction, presentation, and interpretation of gravity, magnetic, electrical, seismic, and electromagnetic data as well as the proper use, care, and calibration of equipment used to collect the data. Requires report writing. Students must provide their own transportation.

Credits: 5.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-0-15)
Semesters Offered: Summer
Restrictions: Permission of department required
Pre-Requisite(s): GE 3040 and GE 3010

GE 4091 - Field Geology with Engineering Applications

Introduction to methods and problems of field geology, interpretation of field relationships, and engineering site investigation. Field areas are located in northern Michigan. Requires geological and/or engineering report and memo writing.

Credits: 5.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-0-15)
Semesters Offered: Summer
Restrictions: Permission of department required
Pre-Requisite(s): GE 2000 and GE 2310 and GE 3050 and GE 3010

Geology Electives

GE 4250 - Fundamentals of Remote Sensing

This course focuses on the basic physics behind above- surface remote sensing and remote sensing systems. Topics covered include: properties of the atmosphere, absorption and scattering of electromagnetic radiation, instrument design, data acquisition and processing, validation, and basic applications.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (2-1-0)
Semesters Offered: Spring
Restrictions: May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Freshman, Sophomore
Pre-Requisite(s): PH 2200 and MA 2160

GE 4530 - Planetary Geology & Geophysics

Geological, geophysical, and geochemical processes in the Solar System are examined. Topics include the formation and evolution of the Solar System, planetary surface processes and water distribution, impact structures, composition, structure, and dynamics of planetary interiors, geophysical exploration of planets.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall
Restrictions: May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Freshman, Sophomore
Pre-Requisite(s): GE 2000 and PH 2200 and MA 2160

GE 4560 - Earthquake Seismology

Course covers fundamentals of the physics of earthquakes and seismic energy propagation, and seismic methods to determine Earth structure. Emphasis is placed on natural source techniques, with extension to exploration applications. Weekly labs apply techniques.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (2-0-2)
Semesters Offered: Fall
Restrictions: May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Freshman, Sophomore
Pre-Requisite(s): GE 3050 and PH 2100

GE 4610 - Formation Evaluation and Petroleum Engineering

Principles and practice of formation evaluation, primarily through analysis of well logs and the principles and practice of petroleum engineering. Emphasizes reservoir engineering and simulation. Students conduct projects using actual field data.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (2-1-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring