AS, Geoscience
Program Description
The Associate of Science, Geoscience is designed to provide a solid foundation for students interested in geology, natural resources, physical geography, renewable energy (in particular geothermal energy), environmental sciences and planning, and teaching of science. After completing the emphasis program, students will be well prepared to either enter the workforce as a technician or transfer to four-year professional baccalaureate degree programs. The program will maximize student transfer opportunities.
Recommended Course Schedule
1st semester | Units | |
---|---|---|
CHEM 121 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
ENG 101 or ENG 113 | Composition I or Composition I for International and Multilingual Students | 3 |
GEOL 101 | Geology: Exploring Planet Earth | 4 |
MATH 127 | Pre-Calculus II | 3 |
Diversity/Fine Arts 6 | 3 | |
Semester Total | 17 | |
2nd semester | ||
ENG 102 or ENG 114 | Composition II or Composition II For International and Multilingual Students | 3 |
CHEM 122 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
GEOL 206 | Geology of Geothermal Energy Resources | 3 |
MATH 181 | Calculus I | 4 |
Semester Total | 14 | |
3rd semester | ||
ECON 102 or ECON 103 | Principles of Microeconomics or Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
GEOL 102 | Earth and Life Through Time | 4 |
GEOL 260 | Introduction to Field Methods | 2 |
Humanities 6 | 3 | |
PHYS 151 | General Physics I or Physics for Scientists and Engineers I | 4 |
Semester Total | 16 | |
4th semester | ||
Elective 6 | 3 | |
MATH 182 | Calculus II | 4 |
Social Science 6 | 3 | |
U.S. and Nevada Constitutions 6 | 3 | |
Semester Total | 13 | |
Total Units | 60 |
- 6
See program recommendations or requirements.
AA/AS degrees are designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year college or university.
To earn an AA/AS degree, students must:
- Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 (see requirements for graduation.)
- Complete a minimum of 15 units within the college.
- Satisfy General Education requirements for the AA/AS.
- Have no financial or library obligation to the college.
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
General Education Requirements | ||
English | 3-6 | |
Fine Arts | 3 | |
Recommended: | ||
Theatre: a Cultural Context | ||
Humanities | 3 | |
Mathematics | ||
Required: | ||
MATH 127 | Pre-Calculus II (or higher) 2 | 3 |
Science | [6] | |
Required: | ||
CHEM 121 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
CHEM 122 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
Social Science | 3 | |
Recommended: | ||
Introduction to Cultural Geography | ||
Additional College Requirements | ||
Diversity 3 | [3] | |
Recommended: | ||
Theatre: a Cultural Context | ||
Science | [6] | |
U.S. and Nevada Constitutions | [3] | |
Degree Requirements | ||
ECON 102 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
or ECON 103 | Principles of Macroeconomics | |
GEOL 101 | Geology: Exploring Planet Earth | 4 |
GEOL 102 | Earth and Life Through Time | 4 |
GEOL 206 | Geology of Geothermal Energy Resources | 3 |
GEOL 260 | Introduction to Field Methods | 2 |
MATH 181 | Calculus I | 4 |
MATH 182 | Calculus II | 4 |
PHYS 151 | General Physics I | 4 |
or PHYS 180/180L | Physics for Scientists and Engineers I | |
2 additional Science units satisfied through GE. | [2] | |
Elective Requirements | ||
Select 6 units from the following: | 6 | |
General Biology for Non-Majors 4 | ||
Physical Geography of Earth's Environment | ||
Introduction to Geotechnology | ||
Earthquakes, Volcanoes and Natural Disasters | ||
Prin of Natural Resources & Environmental Sciences | ||
Physics for Scientists and Engineers II and Physics for Scientists/Engineers Lab II (preferred) 5 | ||
or PHYS 152 | General Physics II | |
Total Units | 60 |
- 1
If you place into ENG 102 or ENG 114 the additional 3 required units will become elective units.
- 2
MATH 181 and MATH 182 are required of Geology majors at UNR prior to graduation.
- 3
Course may also count toward degree requirements. Please consult with Academic Advisement.
- 4
BIOL 100 is required for a UNR Geology Baccalaureate Degree.
- 5
PHYS 152 is required for UNR Geology baccalaureate degree.
Students completing the degree will:
- Relate how the various earth systems, consisting of the geosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere, interact with each other so as to affect surface landforms, climate and weather, oceanic circulation patterns, and well being of life forms including the human condition.
- Utilize the theory of plate tectonics to explain the distribution of volcanoes, earthquakes, energy and mineral resources, and formation of different types of rocks and minerals.
- Demonstrate an ability to identify and classify rocks and minerals and relate their origin to both internal and external forces and processes. Much like words in a book tell a story, students will “read” rocks to interpret their history as written by nature.
- Recognize that changes in life over time involve feedbacks between life forms and the physical environment—that changes in our physical environment, driven by both internal and external forces, govern the explosions and extinctions of life forms with time and will continue to do so.
- Apply the scientific method and geologic knowledge gained in a capstone course to interpret the geologic history of select areas of the Reno region through field studies, involving rock and structure identification and plotting their distribution to make basic but informative geologic maps also useful in assessments of geological hazards.
AA/AS degrees are designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year college or university. General information about general transfer agreements can be found on the Academic Advisement website. TMCC has agreements with the following institutions towards a bachelor's degree in the same of similar discipline.