Overview

In Calvin's geology program, you will be exposed to a wide range of geological topics, including paleontology, oceanography, prehistory and mineralogy. You'll also have these opportunities:

• explore mines, quarries, sand dunes, canyons, volcanoes and other geographical features as part of courses and study abroad programs
• conduct research with a professor during the summer
• discover what it means to be a Christian scientest

Careers in Geology

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

See job placement rates for Calvin grads.

Student involvement

Spend a summer gaining research experience in your field; join the ESC (Environmental Stewardship Coalition); Travel to West Virginia onspring break to petition against mountaintop removal.

Course Requirements 2012-13

Geology major

(37-40 semester hours)

• One from:
  • GEOL-151 Introduction to Geology
  • GEOL-120 Earth Systems
• GEOL-152 Historical Geology
• GEOL-212 Structural Geology
• GEOL-215 Mineralogy and Optical Mineralogy
• GEOL-252 Geomorphology
• GEOL-316 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
• GEOL-317 Sedimentation and Stratigraphy
• GEOL-387 Geology as Vocation
• Two electives from:
  • GEOL-230 Discovery of Prehistory of Earth, Life and Humanity
  • GEOL-251 Oceanography
  • GEOL-304 Geochemistry
  • GEOL-312 Environmental Geology
  • GEOL-313 Paleontology
  • GEOL-322 Coastal Geomorphology
  • GEOL-386 Seminar in Geology
  • GEOL-390 Independent Study
  • GEOL-395 Research in Geology
  • GEOL-396 Research in Geology
  • GEOG-261 Geographic Information Systems and Cartography
  • GEOG-361 Advanced Geographic Information Systems
  • An approved interim course
• Physical science senior capstone course, typically IDIS-310 History of Physical Science

Cognates (8 semester hours)

• CHEM-103 General Chemistry I
• One from:
  • MATH-143 Introduction to Probability and Statistics
  • MATH-171 Calculus I

Students who desire a BS degree must complete a minimum of 58 semester hours of science and mathematics. Students who wish to pursue a career or graduate study in geology and who desire a BS degree must complete the minimum requirements of the geology major and should also take the following courses:

• GEOL-313 Paleontology
• One from:
  • CHEM-104 General Chemistry II
  • ENGR-106 Engineering Chemistry and Materials Science
• PHYS-133 Introductory Physics: Mechanics and Gravity
• PHYS-134 Matter, Space, and Energy
• One from:
  • MATH-171 Calculus I
  • MATH-132 Calculus for Management, Life, and Social Sciences
• ENGL-261 Academic & Professional Writing
• Geology field methods course

Geology minor

(23-24 semester hours)

• GEOL-151 Introduction to Geology
• GEOL-120 Earth Systems
• GEOL-152 Historical Geology
• GEOL-215 Mineralogy and Optical Mineralogy
• Three electives from:
  • GEOL-212 Structural Geology
  • GEOL-230 Discovery of Prehistory of Earth, Life and Humanity
  • GEOL-251 Oceanography
  • GEOL-252 Geomorphology
  • GEOL-304 Geochemistry
  • GEOL-312 Environmental Geology
  • GEOL-313 Paleontology
  • GEOL-316 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
  • GEOL-317 Sedimentation and Stratigraphy
  • GEOL-322 Coastal Geomorphology
  • GEOL-386 Seminar in Geology
  • GEOL-390 Independent Study
  • GEOL-395 Research in Geology
  • GEOL-396 Research in Geology
  • GEOG-261

Cognate (4 semester hours)

• CHEM-103 General Chemistry I

Scholarships

Dollar amounts reflect awards given for the 2012-13 academic year.

Debra Deur Scholarship

• award amount: $3,800
• sophomore, junior or senior
• GPA of 3.0+
• financial need required
• apply through the Calvin Portal

Bruce B. Dice Geology Scholarship

• award amount: $8,500
• junior or senior year; passionate about geology; good communication skills; srong commitment to the Christian faith and Calvin College; willingness to take a course in Christian philosophy; expects to contribute to further science and faith discussions from a Christian standpoint following graduation
• GPA 3.0+
• financial need not required
• apply through the Calvin Portal

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

View all scholarship opportunities

Faculty