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Geology for Transfer (AS-T)

The Associate in Science in Geology for Transfer (AS-T) degree is designed to facilitate transfer to a California State University in keeping with SB 1440. This degree reflects the Transfer Model Curriculum (TMC) supported by the Statewide Academic Senate. A total of 27 units are required to fulfill the major portion of this degree. Students must also complete the California State University (CSU) General Education Breadth requirements or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) (see the “General Education Requirements and Transfer Information” section of the catalog). Students planning to transfer to SDSU should consult with a counselor.

The following requirements must be met to be awarded the Associate in Science in Geology for Transfer (AS-T) degree:

  1. Completion of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units that are eligible for transfer to the California State University, including both of the following:
    1. The Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or the California State University General Education-Breadth Requirement.
    2. A minimum of 18 semester units or 27 quarter units in a major or area of emphasis, as determined by the community college district.
  2. Obtainment of a minimum grade point average of 2.0. Students are also required to earn a “C” grade or higher or “Pass” in all courses required for the major.

Geology is the scientific study of the planet earth. Geologists study the origin and evolution of the earth and various life forms, the composition of the earth, its structure, and the many processes that modify the earth’s crust. Geology is an interdisciplinary science with many applied aspects including: the study of natural resources such as water, petroleum, and minerals; the mitigation of earth’s hazards such as earthquakes, landslides, and volcanoes; and land use planning. Students who are curious about our planet and its environment, and want to meet the challenges presented by the interaction of humans with the earth should consider geology as a major.

The Earth Sciences Department strives to impart the following Program-level Student Learning Outcomes (PSLOs) through the successful completion of the specific degree requirements in this program. Students will:

  1. Recognize and explain the role of fundamentals geologic principles, such as plate tectonic theory and deep time, in the interpretation of observed geologic phenomena.
  2. Research, evaluate, and cite scientific information in order to formulate coherent summaries of earth processes.
  3. Define the scientific method and apply it to observed geologic phenomena.
  4. Interpret geologic processes using underlying chemical properties and physical laws. Measure, manipulate, and interpret scientific data.

Associate Degree Major Requirements

GEOL-110Planet Earth3
GEOL-111Planet Earth Laboratory1
GEOL-121Earth History4
CHEM-141General Chemistry I5
CHEM-142General Chemistry II5
MATH-180Analytic Geometry and Calculus I5
MATH-280Analytic Geometry and Calculus II4
Units for the major27
Plus General Education Requirements (CSU GE or IGETC)37-39
Total Units60

Complete transferable units as needed to reach 60.

Students completing IGETC may be awarded the degree, but they must complete a course from Area 1C: Oral Communication to meet CSU admission requirements.