Dec 26, 2024  
2024-2025 Edgewood College Catalog 
    
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2024-2025 Edgewood College Catalog

Earth Science Minor

Minor Policies

A student must maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 in all courses taken to fulfill the minor. Any course in which a student receives a grade below “CD” will not be accepted toward the minor. A minimum of 10 credits must be completed at Edgewood College.

Minor Requirements

A minimum of 20 credits is required for the minor and completion of GEOS 499 (associated with two experiences listed below).  

At least 15 credits must come from classes with a GEOS prefix. 

Up to 5 credits may come from courses with a prefix other than GEOS such as those listed below or those approved by Edgewood faculty.

Additional Requirements

Field Experience

Geology is an experienced-based science. Coursework builds a foundation, however, there is no substitute for learning geology in the field. Viewing the Earth through a geological lens is a fundamental skill to develop.  All students must complete a field experience for completion of the minor. Edgewood College recognizes that no two students are alike and therefore field experience can take many forms including, but not limited to: Edgewood excursions course, study abroad, internship, course-related field trips, independent research, or other individualized experiences. Engaging field experiences can be had in abundance and regardless of physical or financial challenges, students are encouraged to work with faculty to complete this experience. Satisfaction of this experience will be determined through consultation with, and approval by Edgewood faculty.

Capstone Experience

Students must also apply knowledge acquired through coursework to a geological problem in a capstone experience. This typically takes the form of a research project occurring in the field or lab and may or may not be completed in conjunction with field experience. Capstone experiences must be approved by Edgewood faculty and should culminate with a presentation to a public audience. The venue for this presentation can be associated with other coursework, scientific conference, or by special arrangement.

The capstone requirement may be fulfilled in one of many ways:

  • COR III course project with a geological focus
  • Senior seminar or capstone project (from other major) with a geological focus
  • Independent research project with Edgewood faculty or approved offsite faculty
  • Independent project originating in course work such as GEOS 210, 292 or study abroad
  • Off-campus internship or field camp that are pre-approved by Edgewood faculty

Requirements for declared Environmental Science majors

Students declared as Environmental Science majors who wish to also complete the Earth Science minor are recommended to instead complete the Environmental Science: Geoscience-Chemistry Concentration. Students majoring in Environmental Science: Biology Concentration may only count 10 credits to both their major and Earth Science minor simultaneously.