Geo minors

Minors in Geology

About this Degree

The geology minor is intended for students who wish to add background in selected areas of geoscience. The minor is ideal for students pursuing careers in other fields that benefit from additional understanding of earth resources, natural hazards, and the environment, such as biosciences, business, journalism, law, public policy, and education. The Geology Department offers five minors each with a focused on Environmental, Solid Earth Dynamics, GeoEnergy & Mineral Resources, Conservation Paleobiology as well as a Traditional Geology minor. 

 

The Environmental Geology minor provides students with a comprehensive understanding of how geological processes effect and are affected by human activities. It covers topics such as natural resource management, environmental hazards, and sustainable practices. This minor equips students to address real-world environmental challenges through the lens of geological science.

 

Total Credit Hours: 15 (UGA Bulletin)

Required Courses (6-8 hours):
Elective Courses: Choose 3 (9 hours) OR Choose 2 (6 hours) + Research Option:
  • GEOL 4030: Agrogeology (3 hrs.)
  • GEOL 4110: Principles of Geochemistry (3 hrs.)
  • GEOL 4130: Aqueous Environmental Geochemistry (3 hrs.)
  • GEOL 4220: Hydrogeology (3 hrs.)
  • GEOL 4530: Principles and Environmental Applications of GIS (3 hrs.)
  • GEOL 4550: Clay Mineralogy and Geochemistry (3 hrs.)
  • GEOL 4620: Exploration Geophysics (3 hrs.)
  • CRSS(GEOL)4540: Pedology (3 hrs.)
  • CRSS (WASR) 4660: Hydrogeochemical Characterization (3 hrs.)
  • ENVE 4435: Natural Resources Engineering (3 hrs.)
  • ENVE 4530: Energy and Environmental Policy Analysis (3 hrs.) 
  • ENVM 3060: Principles of Resource Economics (3 hrs.)
  • ENVM 4800: Water Resources Economics and Management (3 hrs.)
Research Option:
  • One elective course can be replaced with a 3-hour research or senior thesis course.

 

SED Minor

The Solid Earth Dynamics minor will explore the tectonic systems of Earth and other terrestrial planets in our solar system, with the goal of providing students with a better understanding of the physical and chemical processes involved in the deformation of rock and other geologic materials. This minor equips students to analyze and address geological challenges and phenomena which are crucial in environmental and engineering applications.

 

Total Credit Hours: 15 (UGA Bulletin)

Required Courses (6-8 hours):
Elective Courses: Choose 3 (9 hours) OR Choose 2 (6 hours) + Research Option:
  • GEOL 4330: Geology of North America (3 hrs.)
  • GEOL 4350: Planetary Dynamics (3 hrs.)
  • GEOL 4360: Introduction to Rock Mechanics (3 hrs.) 
  • GEOL 4600: Solid Earth Geophysics (3 hrs.)
  • GEOL 4620: Exploration Geophysics (3 hrs.)
  • GEOL 4940: Volcanology and Volcano Petrology  (3 hrs.)
Research Option:
  • One elective course can be replaced with a 3-hour research or senior thesis course.

 

GeoEnergy Minor

The GeoEnergy and Mineral Resources minor focuses on the exploration, extraction, and sustainable management of energy resources and minerals. It addresses key areas such as fossil fuels, renewable energy, and mineral deposits while emphasizing environmental sustainability. This minor prepares students to tackle resource-related challenges with a focus on minimizing ecological impact and supporting society in energy transition.

 

Total Credit Hours: 15 (UGA Bulletin)

Required Courses (6-8 hours):
Elective Courses: Choose 3 (9 hours) OR Choose 2 (6 hours) + Research Option:
  • GEOL 4110: Principles of Geochemistry (3 hrs.)
  • GEOL 4310: Economic Geology (3 hrs.)
  • GEOL 4320: Petroleum Geology (3 hrs.)
  • GEOL 4330: Geology of North America (3 hrs.)
  • GEOL 4550: Clay Mineralogy and Geochemistry (3 hrs.)
  • GEOL 4620: Exploration Geophysics (3 hrs.)
  • GEOL 4640: Geochemical and Geophysical Surveys (3 hrs.)
  • CRSS (GEOL) 4540: Pedology (3 hrs.)
  • ENVM (AAEC) 4150: Energy Economics (3 hrs.)
Research Option:
  • One elective course can be replaced with a 3-hour research or senior thesis course.

 

Conserv Minor

The Conservation Paleobiology minor integrates fossil record data with contemporary conservation practices to address current biodiversity and environmental challenges.  The focus is on applying insights gained from past species and ecosystems to guide habitat restoration and species protection efforts.  This minor prepares students to apply paleontological knowledge to modern conservation issues and to enhance ecosystem sustainability and their benefits to society.

 

Total Credit Hours: 15 (UGA Bulletin)

Required Courses (6-8 hours):
Elective Courses: Choose 2 (6 hours):
  • FANR (WILD) 4820: Human Dimensions of Natural Resources  (3 hrs.)
  • GEOG 4040: Global Environmental Change Past and Present  (3 hrs.) 
  • GEOL 4040: Conservation Paleobiology  (3 hrs.)
  • GEOL 4520: Paleoecology (3 hrs.)
Elective Courses: Choose 1 (3 hours):
  • ECOL 4010: Ecosystem Ecology  (3 hrs.)
  • ECOL (FANR) 4220: Foundations of Restoration Ecology (3 hrs.)
  • ECOL 4080: Principles of Integrative Conservation and Sustainability (3 hrs.)
  • ECOL 4160: Ecology of North America (3 hrs.)
  • ECOL (FISH) (WASR) 4310: Freshwater Ecosystems (3 hrs.)
  • FISH (WILD) 4520: Conservation Decision-Making (3 hrs.)
  • GENE (ECOL) 4020W: Biotic Responses to Climate Change in the Ocean (3 hrs.)
  • GEOG (ATSC) 3180: Global Climate Change, Causes and Consequences (3 hrs.)
  • GEOL 3350: Dinosaurs: Lifestyles of the Big and Famous in the Mesozoic (3 hrs.)
  • GEOL 4030: Agrogeology (3 hrs.)
  • GEOL 4220: Hydrogeology (3 hrs.)
  • WILD 4100: Principles of Wildlife Habitat and Management (3 hrs.)
  • WILD 4500: Nongame and Endangered Species Management (3 hrs.)

Geology Minor (Traditional)

 

The Geology minor is intended for students who wish to add background in selected areas of geoscience. The minor is ideal for students pursuing careers in other fields that benefit from additional understanding of earth resources, natural hazards, and the environment, such as biosciences, business, journalism, law, public policy, and education.

 

 

 

Required - Physical Geology (4 hours/select one):
Required - Historical Geology (4 hours/select one):
Electives (9 Hours) - Nine Hours of Upper Division GEOL Courses:
  • A minor must contain at least 9 hours of upper division course work.
  • Courses taken to satisfy Core Areas I through V may not be counted as course work in the minor.
  • Courses taken in Core Area VI may be counted as course work in the minor.

 

 

Geology UNDERGRADUATE ADVISOR CONTACTS

Last Names Beginning with A-I:

Dr Hawman

Dr. Rob Hawman
Professor and Undergraduate Advisor
Room B6, Geography-Geology Building
Email: hawman@uga.edu
Phone: 706-542-2398

 
Last Names Beginning with J-Z:

Dr Crowe

Dr. Doug Crowe
Professor and Undergraduate Advisor
Room 301D Geography-Geology Building
Email: dcrowe@uga.edu
Phone: 706-542-2382

 

What you will learn

Your gift helps to fund research, travel, and field experience for students and faculty.