Geosciences, Minor Minor
Many students are already familiar with Geosciences through what is commonly called "earth science" in high school. Geosciences covers our Planet Earth - its soil, minerals, climate change, magnetic fields, earthquakes, water, plants, fossils, volcanoes and more.
Geoscience minors at UWM can organize their electives around a particular area of interest if they wish:
- Hard Rock - the study of structural geology, mineralogy, petrology, volcanology and tectonics
- Hydrogeology - the study of water resources
- Paleontology - the study of evolutionary patterns in history
- Sedimentary Geology - the study of rocks, fossils, and landforms in the context of the biological and chemical make-up
Geosciences touches on all aspects of the other natural sciences including chemistry, biology, mathematics and physics, so the ideal student for Geosciences loves all types of science and is curious about how they interrelate. Most Geosciences students also love the outdoors and traveling off of the beaten path.
For the minor, outdoor field work is not required but is recommended as preparation for jobs with environmental and water resource management; energy and mineral industries; and government agencies.
UWM students often participate in research abroad in places as diverse as Iceland, Turkey, South America, Ireland, and New Zealand. Others gain hands-on experience in the dirt of Montana, the hills of South Dakota or the swamps of Florida.
Program Type
Minor
Program Format
On Campus
Majors that pair well with a Geosciences minor
- Biology / Microbiology
- Chemistry / Biochemistry
- Physics with Astronomy emphasis
- Atmospheric Science
- Freshwater Sciences
- Conservation and Environmental Science
- Anthropology
Requirements
The minor consists of a minimum of 18 credits in Geosciences courses, including six credits in GEO SCI 100 and GEO SCI 102. The remaining 12 credits must be at the 200 level or above, with at least 9 of them at the 300 level or higher taken in residence at UWM. Waiver or substitution in any of these categories may be approved, in some circumstances, by the assistant to the chair for undergraduate affairs in consultation with the student’s advisor.
The College of Letters and Science requires that students attain at least a 2.0 GPA on all credits in the minor attempted at UWM. In addition, students must attain a 2.0 GPA on all minor credits attempted, including any transfer work.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GEO SCI 100 | Introduction to the Earth | 3 |
| GEO SCI 102 | Evolution of the Earth | 3 |
| Select 12 credits at the 200 level or above, with at least 9 of them at the 300 level or higher taken in residence at UWM | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 18 | |
Minors will work directly with their faculty advisor to receive guidance on course selection and requirements. Declare your minor using the Declare a Minor button on the program’s website, following the instructions to select a faculty advisor if indicated that you should do so.
Students who already have an L&S college advisor because their major is also in L&S can discuss the minor with their college advisor as well. Students whose major is outside of the College of Letters & Science will not have an L&S a college advisor and can work solely with the faculty advisor in the minor to address any questions related to the minor.