Degree Programs-Geosciences-Fort Lewis College

At Fort Lewis College you'll enjoy relatively small classes and personal attention from individual faculty members. Professors in the geology department are committed to enthusiastic, high quality teaching. Our professors have expertise in a wide variety of geological subdisciplines, and they will give you the opportunity to assist them with their research or will guide you in your own research leading to a senior thesis.

One of the best reasons for studying geology at FLC is that you'll benefit from resources and faculty expertise typically only found at a large university, combined with an attitude of caring more characteristic of small institutions.

Many times students take one or two geology courses simply because they want to learn more about their surroundings, natural resources, or ecological problems. The geology curriculum is offered within the broader educational goals of a liberal arts education. With this foundation, graduates are well prepared to enter the field of geology or to continue their education in a graduate program at another institution.

Because of the diversity and excellence of the geology in southwestern Colorado, the department emphasizes field work, and field trips are an integral part of most courses. All geology majors go on a six-week summer Geology Field Camp which involves exploration and mapping exercises in Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, and sometimes California. The FLC geoscience department has also been known to trek to the lava fields of Hawaii every other year, hike around the Southern Alps of New Zealand every few years, and can probably be convinced to create new trips to amazing places in the future.

For further course information see the Fort Lewis College Course Catalog.

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Fort Lewis College offers several degree options wtihin the Department of Geosciences:

GEOLOGY OPTION

This major is designed to meet the needs of students wishing to continue their education in graduate school or to work as professional geologists.

Geology Option Suggested Course Sequence

ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGY OPTION

This major is designed for students planning to work in the areas of natural resource management and remediation.

Environmental Geology Course Sequence

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS) CERTIFICATE

This 21-25 credit hour certificate program adds a marketable complementary skill to a geoscience major, science major, or many other non-science disciplines.

GEOLOGY MINOR

To minor in Geology, the student must complete the following courses (24 hrs) and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0: Geol 107 Earth Systems Science (4) or Geol 113 Physical Geology (4), Geol 114 Historical Geology (4),Geol 207 Mineralogy (3),Geol 210 Petrology (3),Upper division geology electives (10).

EARTH SCIENCE FOR SECONDARY EDUCATION

A major designed for students wishing to teach science in middle and high school settings.