Geology Associate of Science
Program Description
This program is designed for students transferring to a four-year university to complete their BS degree in Geology or Earth Science. It allows students to complete the first two years of the BS degree at the community college. Geology is the study of the Earth, its rocks, and the ways that they change over time. Geology students explore the movement of the Earth's crust, the history of life on Earth, and past climates. It is important for mineral and fossil fuel exploration, managing water resources, and solving environmental problems. This program introduces students to Geology and it includes courses that are common to all four-year institutions in Colorado. Careers often require a BS or higher. Career paths for Geology degree holders include resource management, mining, oil and gas exploration, and climate research. The Associate of Science (AS) degree in Geology prepares students to complete the second half of a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Geology at a four-year university.
Learn more about this program.
My Academic Plan: Full-Time
Courses are displayed in a full-time sequence showing the fastest path to your degree. Follow the pathway below to complete your AS degree in 4 semesters (2 years).
There are multiple ways to pursue a degree in Geology (Geosciences). It is very important to work with your Academic Advisor to develop the best academic plan for where you are starting and where you are hoping to transfer.
For students who want to complete a degree in Geology and are Calculus ready, the AS in Geology is the most direct path to a Bachelor’s degree in this field. It is recommended that you meet with your advisor before selecting a pathway in Geology.
First Semester
| ENG 1021 | English Composition I: GT-CO1 | 3 |
| CHE 1111 | General College Chemistry I w/Lab: GT-SC1 | 5 |
| MAT 2410 | Calculus I: GT-MA1 | 5 |
| Approved Elective List | Any Approved Elective List Course. Prefer: College 101: Student Experience (AAA 1001) | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
Second Semester
| GT- AH | Any Arts & Humanities (GT-AH) | 3 |
| ENG 1022 | English Composition II: GT-CO2 | 3 |
| CHE 1112 | General College Chemistry II w/Lab: GT-SC1 | 5 |
| MAT 2420 | Calculus II: GT-MA1 | 5 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Third Semester
| GEY 1111 | Physical Geology w/Lab: GT-SC1 | 4 |
| PHY 2111 | Physics: Calculus-Based I w/Lab: GT-SC1 | 5 |
| GT- HI1 | Any History (GT-HI1) | 3 |
| GT- SS | Any Social & Behavioral Sciences (GT-SS) | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Fourth Semester
| GEY 1112 | Historical Geology w/Lab: GT-SC1 | 4 |
| PHY 2112 | Physics: Calculus-Based II w/Lab: GT-SC1 | 5 |
| GT- SS | Any Social & Behavioral Sciences (GT-SS) | 3 |
| GT- AH | Any Arts & Humanities (GT-AH) | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Semester Note: GEY 1112 is
ONLY offered in Spring semester.
My Academic Plan: Part-Time
Courses are displayed in a part-time sequence providing flexibility for the working professional. Follow the pathway below to complete your AS degree within 8 semesters (3 years). This pathway may be accelerated by applying transfer credit, credit for prior learning, and/or completing one or more additional courses each semester. For more information, please see your Academic Advisor.
Fall Semester 1
| MAT 2410 | Calculus I: GT-MA1 | 5 |
| ENG 1021 | English Composition I: GT-CO1 | 3 |
| Approved Elective List | Any Approved Elective List Course. Prefer: College 101: Student Experience (AAA 1001) | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
Spring Semester 2
| MAT 2420 | Calculus II: GT-MA1 | 5 |
| ENG 1022 | English Composition II: GT-CO2 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 8 |
Summer Semester 3
| GT- AH | Any Arts & Humanities (GT-AH) | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Fall Semester 4
| CHE 1111 | General College Chemistry I w/Lab: GT-SC1 | 5 |
| PHY 2111 | Physics: Calculus-Based I w/Lab: GT-SC1 | 5 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 10 |
Spring Semester 5
| CHE 1112 | General College Chemistry II w/Lab: GT-SC1 | 5 |
| PHY 2112 | Physics: Calculus-Based II w/Lab: GT-SC1 | 5 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 10 |
Summer Semester 6
| GT- AH | Any Arts & Humanities (GT-AH) | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Fall Semester 7
| GEY 1111 | Physical Geology w/Lab: GT-SC1 | 4 |
| GT- SS | Any Social & Behavioral Sciences (GT-SS) | 3 |
| GT- HI1 | Any History (GT-HI1) | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 10 |
Spring Semester 8
| GEY 1112 | Historical Geology w/Lab: GT-SC1 | 4 |
| GT- SS | Any Social & Behavioral Sciences (GT-SS) | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 7 |
Semester Note: GEY 1112 is
ONLY offered in Spring semester.
Total Credit Hours: 60
Prior Learning eligible course
• Learn more about Credit for Prior Learning
• View all eligible courses
Important Program Notes:
Per the Statewide Transfer Articulation Agreement (STAA), you may complete ENG 1021 (GT-CO1) and ENG 1022 (GT-CO2) OR ENG 1022 (GT-CO2) and a gtPathways-approved CO3 course (GT-CO3).
Per the Statewide Transfer Articulation Agreement (STAA), credits for additional required courses (GEY 1111, GEY 1112, MAT 2420, PHY 2111, and PHY 2112) may not be required for the major at a receiving 4-year institution. If not required, they will be applied to the Bachelor’s degree as elective credit toward graduation. Please check with the receiving institution to determine in which way these courses will be applied.
If you take more credits in Mathematics and Science than are listed, it will reduce the 1 credit of electives needed.
You must complete a minimum of 60 credits to complete this degree. If receiving financial aid, you should only take courses and credits as required for this degree. Check with your advisor to monitor your completion progress.