Geology | Cascadia College

Geology

Degree:

Associate in Science Track 1 (Biological Sciences, Environmental/Resource Sciences, Chemistry, Geology, and Earth Science) Transfer Degrees (cascadia.edu)

Area of Interest:

Earth Sciences, Sustainability, and Environmental Studies

Program Length:

90 College-level Credits

Cost:

Review tuition, fees, and residency classifications

Review international rates

Modalities:

Coursework may be completed through a combination web enhanced (face-to-face), hybrid, and online modes, though not every course is offered in the same modality each quarter. Specific courses may be offered at certain times of the year. Consult the current Class Schedule.

Placement:

Many courses at Cascadia College have placement prerequisites for reading, writing, and math ability. The courses that you will place into determine how you progress through your pathway and how long your degree will take. There are a variety of ways to find your English and Math placement level. 

Find your placement options

Math Notes:

You will need to consult with an academic advisor after placement to be sure to enroll in a course that is consistent with your planned course of study. 

You will take math through MATH& 163 Calculus 3. You will have the option of taking either CHEM& 162 General Chemistry with Lab II or MATH 238 Differential Equations. This major map assumes CHEM 162. See an advisor to plan for MATH 238 instead. You will also take 3 Calculus-based Physics classes.

Contact:

If you have any questions about this pathway, contact: advising@cascadia.edu

Planning Your Courses: 

Advisors are here for you. Academic Advisors will help you develop the skills to make sound academic decisions. Through advising, Advisors will support you to make connections between academic interests, long-term goals, and career opportunities. Advisors help with educational planning, university transfer options, college application processes, and graduation requirements. You will have touchpoints with Advisors to ensure you are on track to success. Connect with the Advising, Career, and Transfer team!

The Annual Course Planning Guide show Cascadia’s tentative plan for classes and the quarters in which they are offered. It is intended for planning purposes only and should not be considered a guarantee of class offerings. Actual quarterly sections may be changed, added, or removed. Students should use the Searchable Quarterly Class Schedule to see up to date class offerings.

Courses:

0-30 credits

  • ENGL& 101 English Composition I
  • CHEM& 161 General Chemistry with Lab 1 
  • COLL 101 College Strategies 
  • GEOL& 101 Introduction to Physical Geology 
  • MATH& 151 Calculus I 
  • MATH& 152 Calculus II

30-60 credits

  • ENGL& 102 Composition II 
  • *CHEM& 162 General Chemistry with Lab II
    • *See an advisor regarding whether to take CHEM& 162 General Chemistry with Lab II or MATH 238 Differential Equations in phase 3 
  • ENVS 120 Wetland Conservation  
  • MATH& 163 Calculus 3 
  • PHYS& 221 Engineering Physics I 
  • 150 Equity, Diversity and Power Requirement (View Choice Classes)

60-90 credits

  • CHEM&163
  • Humanities Distribution Requirement (EDP) (View Choice Classes)
  • PHYS& 222 Engineering Physics II
  • PHYS& 223 Engineering Physics III
  • Social Science Distribution Requirement (EDP if Humanities was not an EDP) (View Choice Classes)
  • *Choose one Elective Distribution Requirement (View Choice Classes

*See an advisor regarding whether to take MATH 238 Differential Equations in phase 3

Choice Classes: Distribution and Elective Requirements - Explore and align your interests. 

The recommended choice classes listed below were thoughtfully chosen to help you gain the necessary skills in this pathway. You are welcome to choose other choice classes outside the recommended list, but consult with an academic advisor to be sure that the classes meet the specific requirements for this pathway.

150 Equity, Diversity, and Power (10 credits)

To meet the Equity, Diversity, and Power completion requirement, you must complete one 150-series EDP course, and at least one additional EDP-designated course for a total of ten (10) credits. EDP courses in the 150-series ground students in the needed cognitive tools and background to critically analyze their position in our increasingly interconnected, complex, and diverse world so they can pursue further study and seek out their careers more intentionally. EDP designated courses may also apply toward Humanities, Social Science, Natural Science, or General Elective distribution requirements as indicated.

Choose one:

  • CMST 150 Multicultural Communication
  • GS 150 Globalization, Culture and Identity
  • HIST 150 Cultural Diversity and Challenges in United States History
  • HUMAN 150 Introduction to Cultural Studies
  • SOC 150 Social Inequality

Choose one additional course designated in EDP in any distribution area by choosing from the choice classes below or checking the current class schedule for additional EDP designated courses.

Social Sciences:

Completion of a minimum of 15 credits from at least 2 different disciplines with a maximum of 10 credits from 1 discipline.

Recommended:

  • SOC& 101 Introduction to Sociology 
  • ANTH& 206 Cultural Anthropology 
  • PSYC 251 Psychology of the Workplace

Natural Sciences:

Completion of a minimum of 15 credits from at least 2 different disciplines with a maximum of 10 credits from 1 discipline, including at least 5 credits of a LAB course. At least 10 credits required in physical, earth and/or biological sciences. Only 5 credits of Mathematics may be used.

Lab Science Recommended:

  • ASTR& 101 Introduction to Astronomy   
  • ENVS 220 Wetland Ecology 
  • ENVS& 101 Introduction to Environmental Science  
  • OCEA& 101 Introduction to Oceanography with Lab

Non-Lab Science Recommended:

  • ASTR& 100 Survey of Astronomy 
  • NSCI 101 Evolution of Earth Systems

Program Elective Credits:

Elective credits may be selected from any of the distribution requirements.

Transfer Opportunities: 

Cascadia's Associate in Science - Transfer Track 1 is a transfer degree that prepares you to enter a four-year college or university with a major in biological science, environmental, earth, or resource science, chemistry, or geology. You will gain a solid foundation for future studies by completing a range of courses in the sciences and liberal arts, similar to the courses students typically take at a 4-year college or university.

Local Transfer Opportunities:

Cascadia College's Bachelor of Applied Science in Sustainable Practices provides a pathway to careers in the green industry. Graduates will learn the skills necessary to plan and implement sustainability approaches to how we live and work by managing complex projects for government agencies, private companies, non-profit organizations, environmental water, energy, and agriculture industries, construction management firms, and educational institutions. 

University of Washington, Seattle 

The University of Washington-Seattle has two degree options: a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science. The Bachelor of Arts is designed for undergraduates who wish to study earth sciences as a background for other careers, such as teaching, science journalism, environmental law, or policy. The Bachelor of Science degree is designed for students interested in coursework in geology and geophysics and a career path in graduate studies or the private sector where field and technology experiences and problem-solving skills will be an important asset. Students are encouraged to contact the Department of Earth and Space Sciences early at essadv@uw.edu to discuss the best pathway. This major map assumes students are pursuing Bachelor of Science.

View Cascadia’s Transfer Agreements for details of our partnerships with other colleges and universities. 

University admissions requirements may vary – consult with the Career and Transfer Center for transfer assistance to plan your career and future educational goals.

Career Possibilities

Geologists work in a variety of settings. These include: natural resource companies, environmental consulting companies, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and universities. Many geologists do field work at least part of the time. Others spend their time in laboratories, classrooms, or offices. All geologists prepare reports, do calculations, and use computers.

Although a bachelor's degree is required for entry-level employment, many geologists earn master's or doctorate degrees. The advanced degrees provide a higher level of training, often in a geology specialty area such as geomorphology, paleontology, mineralogy, hydrology, or volcanology. Advanced degrees will often qualify geologists for supervisory positions, research assignments, or teaching positions at the university level. These are some of the most sought-after jobs in the field of geology. 

You can learn more about career possibilities related to your interests in this pathway through O*Net Online.  O*Net Online shares information about related careers, salary, skills related to the industry and more.

Connect with Cascadia’s Career and Transfer Center for assistance as you go through the process of planning career and future educational goals.

Some job opportunities may also exist in business corporations, non-profits, and Tribal Enterprises.

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