Overview

Environmental geology is an intensive, 55-credit hour major that combines work in geology, GIS-mapping and environmental studies. In this program you will:

• learn mapping and analysis in Calvin's geo-spatial laboratory
• participate in department-sponsored visits to mines, quarries, sand dunes and other locations of geographical interest
• study geology within the context of a strong liberal arts core curriculum

Careers in Environmental Geology

As a graduate of this program, you might find work as a:

• Geochemist
• Structural Geologist
• Geomorphologist
• Federal Surveyor
• Employee for NASA
• More

See job placement rates for Calvin grads.

Student involvement

Work in the Geology Department as a lab or weather station assistant; Study geology in Hawaii, Montana or Oregon; Work alongside a professor conducting summer research.

Course Requirements 2011-12

Environmental Geology

(51-52 semester hours)

• One from:
  • GEOL-151 Introduction to Geology
  • GEOL-120 Earth Systems
• GEOL-152 Historical Geology
• GEOL-215 Mineralogy and Optical Mineralogy
• GEOL-252 Geomorphology
• GEOL-304 Geochemistry
• GEOL-312 Environmental Geology
• GEOL-317 Sedimentation and Stratigraphy
• GEOL-387 Geology as Vocation
• GEOG-261 Geographic Information Systems and Cartography
• ENST-210 Human Modifications of Global Environmt
• ENST-302 Environment and Society
• One from:
  • ENST-385 Internship in Environmental Studies
  • Field course
• ENST-395 Seminar in Environmental Studies
• Two electives from:
  • CHEM-253 Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry
  • ENGR-306 Principles of Environmental Engineering
  • GEOL-212 Structural Geology
  • GEOL-230 Discovery of Prehistory of Earth, Life and Humanity
  • GEOL-251 Oceanography
  • GEOL-316 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
  • GEOL-322 Coastal Geomorphology
  • One from:
    • PHYS-133 Introductory Physics: Mechanics/Gravity
    • GEOG-361 Advanced Geographic Information Systems

Cognates

(16 semester hours)

• CHEM-103 General Chemistry I
• One from:
  • CHEM-104 General Chemistry II
  • ENGR-106 Engineering Chemistry & Materials Sci
• One from:
  • MATH-171 Calculus I
  • MATH-143 Probability and Statistics
• One from:
  • MATH-172 Calculus II
  • MATH-132 Calculus for Management, Life, & Social Science

Scholarships

Dollar amounts reflect awards given for the 2010-11 academic year.

Clarence and Irene Menninga Geology Scholarship

• award amount: $1,800
• junior or senior
• GPA 2.5+
• financial need required
• apply through the Calvin Portal

Jerrian (M.D.) and Anna (Terpstra) Van Dellen Geology Scholarship

• award amount: $2,300
• junior or senior
• GPA of 3.0+
• financial aid required; must demonstrate academic potential, leadership ability and Christian character
• apply through the Calvin Portal

Faculty