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2012-2013 SDSM&T Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Geology, B.S.
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 Return to: Undergraduate Studies
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Contact Information
Dr. Laurie Anderson
Department of Geology and Geological Engineering
Mineral Industries 303
(605) 394-2461
E-mail: Laurie.Anderson@sdsmt.edu
Faculty
Professors Anderson, Duke, Paterson, Price and Uzunlar; Associate Professor Masterlark; Assistant Professors Belanger, Pagnac and Terry; Professors Emeritus Fox, Lisenbee, Martin and Redden; Haslem Post-doctoral Fellow Boyd.
Supporting Faculty
Professors Davis and Stetler; Assistant Professors Katzenstein and Sawyer; Professor Emeritus Rahn; Adjunct Professors Benton and McCormick.
Geology and Paleontology
The program in geology and paleontology fully utilizes the magnificent geologic setting of the Black Hills and Badlands, and the extensive fossil and mineral specimens in the Museum of Geology. We train students for careers in the geosciences including environmental applications, mineral and petroleum exploration, governmental agencies, museums, academic fields, teaching, and entrepreneurship. Both undergraduate and graduate programs are available.
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Choosing a career focus
Many different career opportunities are open to students in the geosciences. Students complete a core of geology courses to solidly prepare them for careers in the geosciences. Additional electives are chosen to focus on a particular career path and best prepare the student for employment or graduate school. Students may focus in one of four career paths or select electives from two or more foci, depending on their career interests. Students are strongly encouraged to consult with their advisor in selecting a focus and electives. Resource Geology
This focus prepares students for careers with the traditional employers of geologists–the mining and petroleum industries. Graduates may work to find oil or mineral resources, assist with extracting them, or develop new types of resources such as coal bed methane or oil shales. Recommended electives for resource geology include: Paleontology
This focus area trains students for careers studying ancient organisms and their environments. Graduates will often go to graduate school to develop research careers, but opportunities are also available to work in museums, parks, or with consulting firms that survey and preserve fossil resources prior to construction projects. Paleontology students work closely with Museum of Geology personnel and associated faculty. Recommended electives for paleontology include: Environmental Geology
This focus prepares students for work developing and preserving natural resources including ground water and soils. Students may work for environmental firms, or could do environmental work for petroleum and mineral companies. Many government agencies also hire graduates with these skills. Recommended electives for environmental geology include: Geospatial Technology
This focus supplies additional training for students interested in careers that involve remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems. Most geoscience careers require basic knowledge of GIS, but additional training opens new career options for students who enjoy mapping and computers. Graduates may work in traditional petroleum, mining, or environmental companies, for government agencies, or within the geospatial industry that provides and manages maps and imagery to the world. Recommended electives for geospatial technology include: Geology/Paleontology Curriculum/Checklist
It is the student‘s responsibility to check with his or her advisor for any program modifications that may occur after the publication of this catalog. When planning coursework, students are advised that the courses GEOL 212/212L , GEOL 341/341L , GEOE 322/322L and GEOL 410 form a critical sequence that must be taken in the order listed. One of: 3-4 Credits
See note 3 First Semester
- GEOL 464 Senior Research I Credits: (0-1) 1
- Geology Electives Credits: 6 4
- Free Elective(s) Credits: 3 3
- Humanities/Social Science electives Credits: 3
120 credits required for graduation
Curriculum Notes
** Course offered in alternate years.
1 Transfer students may substitute 2 credits of free electives for IS 110 .
2 Students must complete 27 credits of the general education core in their first 64 credit hours, including 6 credits of science, 3 cr math, 6 cr English/Technical Communication, 6 cr humanities, and 6 cr social science. ENGL 289 yields an addition 3 general education credits, for a total of 30.
3 Students should consult an advisor when choosing math courses.
4 Sophomore and Geology electives must be selected from the approved lists. At least 9 credits must be taken from 400-level courses. Substitutions must be approved by the department head.
5 Students may substitute GEOL 471/571 for GEOL 403/503 ; the extra credit is a geology elective.
6 Under exceptional circumstances, a student may petition the department head to substitute geology electives for senior research. Advanced Degrees
This B.S. in Geology can provide a pathway to professional careers in teaching, law, or medicine. For careers in science education, students should consult teaching programs at other colleges for auxiliary education courses that would be needed for teacher certification. With some adaptation, this degree can provide a foundation for professional graduate degrees such as in medicine or law.
Graduate programs, both master‘s and doctoral, are available and involve additional specialization in geology or paleontology and incorporate original research leading to the completion and defence of a thesis or dissertation. Completion of graduate degrees leads to higher-level professional employment including college-level instruction.
Analytical and computational facilities in the department and related departments include electron microprobe, heating-cooling fluid inclusion stage, AA-ICP, XRD, SEM, TEM, the Geographic Information Systems/ Remote Sensing Laboratory. The Museum of Geology holds over 500,000 fossil and mineral specimens that are available for educational and research use. Professional Development
The senior year culminates in an individual research project in which the student practices the professional accomplishments of project planning, organization, time management, and oral/written communication. Students are strongly encouraged to participate in professional societies active on campus, including the Tech Geological Association, the Society of Economic Geologists and the Paleontology Club. Paleontology students will have opportunities to volunteer or work on archival and research projects at the Museum of Geology. Internships in industry and government are commonly available and highly recommended. Minor in Geology
Other science and engineering majors may pursue a minor in geology by completing eghteen (18) credit hours of geology courses. Complete information on requirements are given at . Minor in Geospatial Technology
Geospatial technology is a rapidly expanding field that covers the management and analysis of a spatial data from many sources, such as satellites, airborne remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS), global positioning systems (GPS), surveying, and more. Complete information on requirements are given at . Minor in Environmental Engineering
Environmental engineering involves design of systems and solving pressing global problems, including developing ecosystem protection and restoration efforts, designing site remediation and mining reclamation programs; developing air quality monitoring and pollution prevention programs; designing sustainable drinking water treatment and distribution, wastewater treatment, and solid and hazardous waste disposal systems; among others. Complete information on the minor requirements are given at . |
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