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  • NAU
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  • Astronomy and Planetary Science
  • Astrogeology Minor

Contact the Dept. of Astronomy & Planetary Science

Email:
astro​@nau.edu
Call:
928-523-2661
Get application information


Astrogeology, Minor

Students minoring in Astrogeology will be prepared to understand the spatial and temporal scales of geologic processes throughout the solar system and beyond. These skills will prepare students for fields in industry, laboratories, research facilities, government organizations, K-12 education, and academia. As a minor, this degree is designed to provide broad perspectives and a foundational appreciation for the scale of space and challenges that may arise in the investigation of planetary geology. Skills including creativity, problem solving, teamwork, and concept integration are emphasized in this degree and would help to broadly and holistically prepare students for their future endeavors. Specifically, technological and critical thinking skills in these scientific fields are particularly important areas of high and emerging growth both nationally and in Arizona. Space exploration and the science that accompanies it are continuing to rapidly grow and expand, and this minor will ensure that students are well prepared to contribute to this cross-disciplinary and nontraditional field.

Thanks to the U.S. Geological Survey’s Astrogeology Science Center, Lowell Observatory, NAU, and the plethora of analog geologic environments in northern Arizona, Flagstaff remains the epicenter of astrogeology research. Take advantage of Flagstaff’s rich astrogeologic history by combining the related fields of astronomy and geology.  This minor provides students interested in planetary geology and surface processes with the foundational knowledge rooted in traditional geologic principles. Similarly, students will also gain invaluable astronomical perspectives, building the perspectives of scale and geologic/astronomic time that are necessary to appreciate astronomical context. This minor requires completion of at least 23 credit hours in AST and GLG courses.

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Requirements Accordion Open

University Requirements

  • A minor is earned in conjunction with a bachelor's degree.

    To receive a minor (18 to 24 units) at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject matter areas with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0. At least 12 units of the minor must be unique to that minor and not applied to any other minor.

Overview Accordion Closed

Overview

In addition to University Requirements:

  • Complete individual plan requirements.

Please note that students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

No more than 50% of the units used to satisfy minor requirements may be used to satisfy major requirements.

Minimum Units for Completion23
Highest Mathematics RequiredMAT 137

Purpose Statement

The purpose of this minor in Astrogeology is to provide students with interests in planetary geology and surface processes with the foundational knowledge rooted in traditional geologic principles.  Similarly, students will also gain invaluable astronomical perspectives, building the perspectives of scale and geologic/astronomic time that are necessary to appreciate astronomical context.  Specific courses in planetary surface processes, the tools and techniques used to study such processes, and the underlying geologic principles that drive these processes will constitute the bulk of the required coursework.  Students minoring in Astrogeology will be ready to appreciate the recent and upcoming missions to planetary bodies throughout our solar system.  They will also be able to critically assess the geologic properties of planetary surfaces to better understand how these planetary bodies evolve over time.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students minoring in Astrogeology will be able to:

  • Understand the underlying planetary processes that drive geologic processes at or near planetary surfaces;
  • Describe the temporal evolution of planetary surfaces as they relate to the multitude of geologic and environmental processes at work;
  • Understand the tools and techniques used to study geologic processes on planetary surfaces; and
  • Critically evaluate the requirements necessary to perform “traditional” geologic field work on other planetary bodies.

Details Accordion Closed

Details

Minor Requirements
  • Take the following 23 units:

    • AST 190, AST 190L, AST 280, AST 455 (10 units)
    • GLG 309 (4 units) 
    • Select from (9 units): 
      • AST 390
      • GLG 240, GLG 259, GLG 259L, GLG 315, GLG 324, GLG 360, GLG 435, GLG 451, GLG 460
      • GLG 485, GLG 497, GLG 499

  • Minor Requirements for Astronomy, BS Majors
    Take the following 23 units:

    • GLG 309 (4 units)
    • Select from (10 units) 
      • AST 190, AST 190L, AST 280, AST 390, AST 455
    • Select from (9 units): 
      • GLG 240, GLG 259, GLG 259L, GLG 315, GLG 324, GLG 360, GLG 435, GLG 451, GLG 460
      • GLG 485, GLG 497, GLG 499

  • Minor Requirements for Geology, BS Majors
    Take the following 23 units:

    • AST 190, AST 190L, AST 280, AST 390, AST 455 (13 units)
    • GLG 309 (4 units) 
    • Select from (6 units): 
      • GLG 240, GLG 259, GLG 259L, GLG 315, GLG 324, GLG 360, GLG 435, GLG 451, GLG 460
      • GLG 485, GLG 497, GLG 499

    For all minor requirements, be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also take. For prerequisite information click on the course or see your advisor.

     

Availability Accordion Closed

Campus Availability

  • Flagstaff

Department of Astronomy and Planetary Science
Location
Room 209 Building 19
Physical Sciences
527 S. Beaver St.
Flagstaff, Arizona 86011-6010
Mailing Address
NAU Box 6010
Flagstaff, Arizona 86011-6010
Email
astro@nau.edu
Phone
928-523-2661
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