All geology majors are required to take a minimum of 17* courses, including specific geology courses as well as math and science cognates (non-geology courses that support the geology major). However, you can tailor your major to reflect your specific interests.
Core Curriculum
Every major takes the following eight courses in Geology:
In addition, each student must choose one of the following three program tracks, depending on their interest areas and future plans:
Track I Geology
Track II Environmental Geology
Track III Geological Education +
* Course load is reduced by one if 109 Accelerated General Chemistry is taken instead of General Chemistry 107, 108. Geological Education Track students must take the 15 courses listed, plus those courses required to complete the Education program.
+ The student must also complete the Education program to the satisfaction of the Education Department.
Grades for all courses required for the major (including those from other departments) are used to calculate the grade point average in the major (major GPA). The major GPA is used to determine those considered for Departmental Distinction. Students are required to maintain at least a 2.0 GPA in the major in order to graduate.
The Geology Minor requires a minimum of seven courses, distributed as follows:
Five courses in Geology, at least three at 200 level or above
Plus one of the following:
Students interested in a broad spectrum of environmental sciences commonly combine the Geology major (Environmental Geology Track) with the Environmental Science and Policy Minor, which allows them to take a variety of environmentally themed science and non-science courses while still maintaining the scientific rigor of the geology major. Others that wish more in-depth environmental science training choose to double major in Geology and either Environmental Chemistry or Biology. Still others may select the Geology minor to combine with a Biology or a Environmental Chemistry major. Some choose an Independent Studies Program (ISP) to create their own Environmental Sciences major.
For students majoring in Geology, Hartwick’s Three-Year Bachelor’s Degree Program is a unique opportunity to earn a degree in three years. For more information visit www.hartwick.edu/threeyeardegree.
