Associate in Science, Emphasis in Geology
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Attention: Rio Salado College does not offer the following courses for completion:
- GLG102 - This course is available at MCC, PC. PVCC.
- PHY115 or PHY121
- PHY115 - This course is available at GCC.
- PHY121 - This course is available at CGCC, EMCC, GWCC, MCC, PVCC, PC, SCC, SMCC.
- 3. PHY116 or PHY131
- PHY116 - This course is available at GCC.
- PHY131 - This course is available at CGCC, EMCC, GWCC, MCC, PVCC, PC, SCC, SMCC.
Courses may be offered in-person, online, or in hybrid formats. Please contact a Rio academic advisor for the most current information. All courses completed at any Maricopa Community College are transferable to Rio based on District policy. Estimated additional costs would be consistent with your current tuition rate.
The Associate in Science (AS), Emphasis in Geology provides the first two years of a four-year curriculum for students who wish to specialize in geological sciences and/or are preparing for application to graduate programs in related fields. With a bachelor`s degree, students may pursue a career as a research lab or field technician in environmental geology, mining, petroleum exploration, geological engineering, forestry, conservation, and hydrology. With a graduate degree, students may pursue a number of careers, including but not limited to secondary school (grades 7-12) teachers and university professors, geologic consultants, seismologists, volcanologists, paleontologists, and geologists in a variety of areas.
Details
Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.
Students at any Maricopa Community College may need to complete courses at more than one of our colleges.
This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:
- Identify and interpret different rock and mineral groups, and associate the rocks with specific rock-forming processes.
- Explain the role of plate tectonics in geology.
- Relate geologic time to Earth processes.
- Critically evaluate fundamental earth science literature and spatial data.
- Observe, interpret, and communicate data as it relates to Earth processes.
- Use evidence to outline the broad history of the planet and explain how the past can be used to anticipate future changes.
- Determine causes and impacts of natural hazards.
- Interpret the origin, distribution, and uses of geological resources.
- Synthesize field information and spatial relationships to create geologic maps and cross-sections.
- Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek career opportunities in the field.
Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.
Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
$100,260 Show expanded career information for Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
Conservation Scientists
$65,110 Show expanded career information for Conservation Scientists
Environmental Engineers
$100,470 Show expanded career information for Environmental Engineers
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
$66,390 Show expanded career information for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
Foresters
$59,840 Show expanded career information for Foresters
Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians
$43,800 Show expanded career information for Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
$92,920 Show expanded career information for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
Hydrologists
$102,520 Show expanded career information for Hydrologists
Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers
$85,020 Show expanded career information for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers
Park Naturalists
$65,110 Show expanded career information for Park Naturalists
Course Sequence by Term
The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:
- Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Pathway Planner tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
- The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
- Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
- Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
Full-time Sequence
Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.
Awareness Areas |
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|
Term 1
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
(GLG101 and GLG103) or GLG101IN | (Introduction to Geology I - Physical Lecture and Introduction to Geology I - Physical Lab) or Introduction to Geology I - Physical | Critical course Gateway course | SQ in combo w/ GLG103 or SQ | 4 | |
ENG101 or ENG107 | First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | Critical course | FYC or FYC | 3 | |
MAT220 or MAT221 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry I or Calculus with Analytic Geometry I | Critical course | MA or MA | 4–5 | |
SB | Social & Behavioral Sciences | SB | 3 | ||
FYE101 or FYE103 | Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success | 1–3 | |||
Second Language | Second Language Requirement, 101 Level | See your program advisor to determine if your transfer option requires language proficiency |
Term 2
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
(GLG102 and GLG104) or GLG102IN | (Introduction to Geology II - Historical Lecture and Introduction to Geology II - Historical Lab) or Introduction to Geology II - Historical | Critical course Gateway course | H; SG in combo w/ GLG104 and SG in combo w/ GLG102 or H, SG | 4 | |
CRE101 | College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking | OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment | L | 0–3 | |
ENG102 or ENG108 | First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | FYC or FYC | 3 | ||
MAT230 or MAT231 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry II or Calculus with Analytic Geometry II | MA or MA | 4–5 | ||
COM100 or COM110 or COM225 or COM230 | Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication | Recommend selecting a course that satisfies COM and SB or COM and L requirements simultaneously | SB or SB or L or SB | 3 | |
Second Language | Second Language Requirement, 102 Level | See your program advisor to determine if your transfer option requires language proficiency |
Term 3
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
PHY115 or PHY121 | University Physics I or University Physics I: Mechanics | SQ or SQ | 4–5 | ||
HU | Humanities, Fine Arts & Design | HU | 3 |
Term 4
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
SB | Social & Behavioral Sciences | SB | 3 | ||
HU | Humanities, Fine Arts & Design | HU | 3 | ||
L | Literacy & Critical Inquiry | Recommend selecting a course that satisfies [L] and [SB] or [L] and [HU] or [L] and (COM) or [L] and CRE101 requirements simultaneously. | L | 0–3 |
Part-time Sequence
Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.
Awareness Areas |
---|
|
Term 1
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
(GLG101 and GLG103) or GLG101IN | (Introduction to Geology I - Physical Lecture and Introduction to Geology I - Physical Lab) or Introduction to Geology I - Physical | Critical course Gateway course | SQ in combo w/ GLG103 or SQ | 4 | |
MAT220 or MAT221 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry I or Calculus with Analytic Geometry I | Critical course | MA or MA | 4–5 | |
FYE101 or FYE103 | Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success | 1–3 |
Term 2
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
(GLG102 and GLG104) or GLG102IN | (Introduction to Geology II - Historical Lecture and Introduction to Geology II - Historical Lab) or Introduction to Geology II - Historical | Critical course Gateway course | H; SG in combo w/ GLG104 and SG in combo w/ GLG102 or H, SG | 4 | |
MAT230 or MAT231 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry II or Calculus with Analytic Geometry II | MA or MA | 4–5 |
Term 3
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ENG101 or ENG107 | First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | Critical course | FYC or FYC | 3 |
Term 4
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
CRE101 | College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking | OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment | L | 0–3 | |
ENG102 or ENG108 | First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | FYC or FYC | 3 | ||
PHY115 or PHY121 | University Physics I or University Physics I: Mechanics | SQ or SQ | 4–5 |
Term 5
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
SB | Social & Behavioral Sciences | SB | 3 | ||
COM100 or COM110 or COM225 or COM230 | Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication | Recommend selecting a course that satisfies COM and SB or COM and L requirements simultaneously | SB or SB or L or SB | 3 |
Term 6
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
HU | Humanities, Fine Arts & Design | HU | 3 |
Term 7
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Second Language | Second Language Requirement, 101 Level | See your program advisor to determine if your transfer option requires language proficiency | |||
SB | Social & Behavioral Sciences | SB | 3 |
Term 8
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Second Language | Second Language Requirement, 102 Level | See your program advisor to determine if your transfer option requires language proficiency | |||
HU | Humanities, Fine Arts & Design | HU | 3 | ||
L | Literacy & Critical Inquiry | Recommend selecting a course that satisfies [L] and [SB] or [L] and [HU] or [L] and (COM) or [L] and CRE101 requirements simultaneously. | L | 0–3 |
Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.
Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.
- C = Cultural Diversity in the US
- CS = Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application
- FYC = First Year Composition
- G = Global Awareness
- H = Historical Awareness
- HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design
- L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
- MA = Mathematics
- SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
- SG = Natural Sciences General
- SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative
Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.
Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.
View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm10?id=190005).
At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.