Contact the Dept. of Astronomy & Planetary Science
Astrogeology, Minor
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Career Accordion Open
Career opportunities that might be pursued:
- Careers including remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) technicians
- Research assistants in governmental, academic, or industrial lab settings
- Depending on the selected electives, geologic and environmental surveying and prospecting
With further education, one of these paths is possible:
- Graduate programs in related fields
- Research lab directors and academic instructors, lecturers, teachers, and faculty
- Researchers for institutions including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the NASA/Caltech Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Requirements Accordion Closed
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.
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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 Completion | 23 |
| Highest Mathematics Required | MAT 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.
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Details
Minor Requirements
Take the following 23 units:
Minor Requirements for Astronomy, BS Majors
Take the following 23 units:
Minor Requirements for Geology, BS Majors
Take the following 23 units:
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.