Program Code: AS.PSUGEOLOGY
The Associate of Science with an emphasis in Geology prepares students to complete a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology. Courses establish the foundations in understanding of plate tectonics, geologic time, rock and mineral systems, rock and mineral identification, seismology, fossil formation, surface processes, map reading and geologic structures.
For information contact Sarah Hoover, 503-594-3354 or sarah@clackamas.edu
Program Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students should be able to:
- assess geological environments and explain human impact on the environment, hazards associated with them and how these hazards affect society;
- use geologic tools to gather, assess, interpret and explain data relative to a geologic setting, tools include: rocks and minerals, maps, fossils compasses and GPS;
- communicate complex ideas by demonstrating an ability to gather and analyze data, construct evidence-based arguments and critically evaluate information;
- demonstrate an understanding of the basic principles that guide the science of geology, these include: plate tectonics, Earth’s structure, seismology, rock and mineral formation, rock and mineral identification, fossil formation, geologic time and dating, surface processes, and Earth’s history.
Plan of Study Grid First Year |
Fall Term |
COMM-111Z | Public Speaking | 4 |
G-201 | General Geology | 4 |
| |
1 | |
WR-121Z | Composition I | 4 |
| Credits | 12 |
Winter Term |
CS-120 | Survey of Computing | 4 |
G-202 | General Geology | 4 |
| |
MTH-111Z | Precalculus I: Functions | 4 |
WR-122Z | Composition II | 4 |
| Credits | 16 |
Spring Term |
G-203 | General Geology | 4 |
| |
MTH-112Z | Precalculus Ii: Trigonometry | 4 |
| 3-4 |
| Credits | 11-12 |
Summer Term Option |
| |
| Credits | 0 |
Second Year |
Fall Term |
MTH-251 | Calculus I | 5 |
PH-201 | General Physics | 5 |
| 4 |
2 | 4 |
| |
| Preparatory Chemistry | |
| Credits | 18 |
Winter Term |
CH-221 | General Chemistry | 5 |
MTH-252 | Calculus II | 5 |
| 4 |
3 | 3-4 |
| Credits | 17-18 |
Spring Term |
CH-222 | General Chemistry | 5 |
COMM-140 | Introduction to Intercultural Communication | 4 |
STAT-243Z | Elementary Statistics I | 4 |
| 3-4 |
| Credits | 16-17 |
| Total Credits | 90-93 |
General Electives
Any 3-4 credit course 100 level or above
Recommended courses that would complement upper division courses at Portland State University include:
Course List Code | Title | Credits |
MTH-253 | Calculus III | 5 |
MTH-256 | Differential Equations | 4 |
World Languages: ASL, FR, GER, SPN
GIS Courses
Social Science Electives
Any Social Science General Education course as listed in the AAOT
Recommended:
Course List Code | Title | Credits |
ANT-101 | Physical Anthropology | 4 |
ANT-102 | Archaeology & Prehistory | 4 |
GEO-100 | Introduction to Physical Geography | 4 |
GEO-130 | Introduction to Environmental Geography | 4 |
GEO-208 | Geography of the United States & Canada | 4 |
HST-137 | History of Science, Medicine, & Technology in Western Civilization | 4 |
PS-297 | Introduction to Environmental Politics | 4 |
Career opportunities include:
- Working with federal, state, and local governments as well as private companies focusing on such things as:
- environmental geology
- volcanology
- paleontology
- water resources
- earthquakes
- flooding
- mineral resources
- geochemistry
- landslides
- hazard mitigation