Science Degrees Online

GEO 1010 Survey of Geology FS (2:2:0)

The earth, its materials, its surface processes, internal processes and a brief account of its history. Designed for non-majors. Field trip may be required.
Prerequisites: MATH 1011 competency.
Corequisites: GEOL 101L
Fee: $15.00

GEO 1015 Survey of Geology Lab FS (1:0:2)

Students will learn how to identify minerals, rocks and fossils; read and interpret topographic and geologic maps.
Co-requisite: GEOL 1010

GEO 1060 Environmental Geology F (3:3:0)

A study of the geological processes that affect or are affected by human activity such as earthquakes, volcanic hazards, flooding, waste, mineral and energy resources. Designed for non-majors. Field trip may be required.
Prerequisites: MATH 1011 competency
Fee: $5.00

GEO 1080 Oceanography S (3:3:0)

An introduction to the study of the earth’s oceans including an understanding of sea floor topography and composition, plate tectonics, seawater dynamics and chemistry, atmosphere and ocean currents, waves, coastal land forms, and marine life. Designed for non-majors.
Prerequisites: MATH 1011 competency

GEO 1085 Oceanography Lab SSu (1:0:2)

Practical applications in oceanography such as map reading, ocean chemistry, wave dynamics, coastal processes and marine biology.
Prerequisites: GEOL 1040 or concurrent enrollment
Lab Fee: $15.00

GEO 1050 Geology of National Parks Su (2:0:x)

Introduction to the principles of geology as observed and studied in the national parks. Three to four weekend field trips or one one-week trip will be required at a cost of approximately $70 - 250 to the student.
Field trip required.
Prerequisites: ENGL 1010
Fee: $70.00 - $250.00

GEO 1110 Physical Geology F (3:3:0)

Introduction to the science of geology for majors. Introduction to the materials and composition of the earth and the physical processes, both internal and external, that shape the earth. Designed for majors and others interested. Field trip may be required.
Prerequisites: MATH 1011 competency.
Corequisite: GEOL 111L

GEO 1115 Physical Geology Lab F (1:0:2)

Students will learn how to identify mineral and rocks; read and interpret topographic and geologic maps.

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Any high school graduate (or anyone who will be a high school graduate prior to attendance) or anyone who has passed the General Educational Development test (GED) who has not yet enrolled at a college, university, or other post secondary educational institution and intends to enroll at Slippery Rock University to pursue a degree granting program shall apply for admission as a new freshman. Students who enroll in dual-enrollment college credit programs prior to high school graduation are still considered new freshmen students.
Admission Guidelines for New Freshmen

New freshmen are admitted to Slippery Rock University on a rolling basis for all terms. Admission criteria used to evaluate an applicant usually include the student’s previous academic record and standardized test scores. Admission guidelines are based upon the academic profiles of previously successful students. First-time, full-time students (new freshmen) who succeed most often at Slippery Rock possess a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in high school as well as SAT or ACT scores that are above average at the time of admission. Other students who apply may be asked to supply additional information and may be considered for admission on an individual basis using a Waitlist process. Additional admission criteria for applicants on the Waitlist may include: high school course rigor, grade trends, grades in core college preparatory courses, class rank, service and leadership, special talent, essay quality and letters of recommendation. Waitlisted applicants are offered admission on a rolling, space available basis and applicants closest to the academic and standardized test admission guidelines are offered admission most frequently.

Slippery Rock University recommends that entering freshmen complete a college preparatory curriculum in high school consisting of four years of English; four years of social studies; three years of science with two years laboratory science; three years of mathematics with a fourth year recommended, including algebra one, algebra two and geometry; and two years of the same foreign language

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ERS 363 - Biomechanics of Special Populations Credits: 3
ERS 476 - Physiological Aspects of Aging and Human Performance Credits: 3
GERO 265 - Aging and the Older Person Credits: 3
GERO 425 - Women and Aging Credits: 3
GERO 450 - Gerontology Internship Credits: 3 to 12
GERO 465 - Seminar in Gerontology Credits: 3
GERO 490 - Independent Study Credits: 1 to 3
HLTH 314 - Nutrition and Health Credits: 3
HLTH 414 - Death and Dying Credits: 3
NURS 498 - Selected Topics Credits: 3
PREE 420 - Recreation and the Aging Process Credits: 3
PROF 342 - Sociology of Aging Credits: 3
PSYC 365 - Psychology of Aging Credits: 3

Gerontology is an interdisciplinary specialization that focuses on aging and the aging process. This specialization is designed to enhance the understanding of aging and enrich interactions among generations. It is a valuable adjunct for those preparing to work directly with, or indirectly for, older persons. Job opportunities for students who have academic preparation in gerontology are available in community agencies servicing the older adult, long term care facilities and hospitals, senior citizen living facilities, and community recreation and senior centers. The program is open to students in any major. Students may decide to complete the requirements for a certificate in gerontology or a gerontology minor.

The Student Gerontological Society provides students with opportunities to participate in the annual campus-wide Health Fest in October, community outreach activities, and program marketing as well as attend national and regional conferences. Sigma Phi Omega, the national honorary society in gerontology, recognizes students’ exemplary scholastic accomplishments in the field of aging. Undergraduate students with a QPA of 3.300 or above (on a 4.000 scale) are eligible to apply.

GE 377 SENIOR SEMINAR IN GEOSCIENCES 1
A one-credit seminar designed to incorporate critical skills acquired throughout the student’s undergraduate geosciences experience. In this course students will be part of a team that synthesizes and interprets primary date taken from the literature. During the first part of the seminar, student teams will participate in discussions of current geosciences literature selected within each faculty members’ discipline, whereas for the rest of the course students are responsible for choosing literature according to their own interests, and leading discussions based on those texts. The Department

GE 399. PROFESSIONAL INTERNSHIP IN GEOLOGY 3 or 6
Professional experience at an advanced subject level for juniors and seniors with substantial academic and cocurricular experience in the major field. With faculty sponsorship and department approval, students may extend their educational experiences by working on specialized research projects with outside professional earth scientists. Must be taken S/U. The Department

E 101. EARTH SYSTEMS SCIENCE 4
An introduction to Earth’s dynamic systems and geologic processes. The planet is studied from its deep interior to its oceanic, surficial, and atmospheric components to develop a scientific understanding of Earth as a holistic environmental system, of which the biosphere, including humanity, is one component. Within this context, course topics such as rocks and minerals, mountain building, earthquakes, volcanoes, oceans, glaciers, and deserts are examined from the perspective of the interactions between geologic processes and humans. Three hours of lecture and two hours of lab a week. Prerequisite: QR1. (Fulfills QR2 requirement; qualifies as a natural science laboratory course for breadth requirement.) K. Nichols

GE 102. THE HISTORY OF EARTH, LIFE, AND GLOBAL CHANGE 4
Introduction to the deep time history of biospheric responses to changes in Earth’s climatologic and geologic systems. The course draws upon geologic principles and theories to explore the planet’s origin and the processes that perpetually modify the global environment. Topics also include the origin of life, the causes and consequences of major environmental crises in Earth’s history, and the role of humanity as an agent of global change. Three hours of lecture, two hours of lab per week. (Fulfills natural sciences requirement.) R. Lindemann

GE 104. DINOSAURS: EVOLUTION TO EXTINCTION 4
Investigation into recent scientific theories about dinosaurs in an attempt to answer: who were they? how did they live? where did they live? how did they become extinct? what significance was their death to our own evolution? Topics include: dinosaur death, burial, and preservation; evolution, ecology, and extinction; and dinosaur myths in the media.

GE 112. OCEANOGRAPHY INTRODUCTION TO THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT 4
Introduction to the interaction of physical, chemical and biological processes operative in the great water bodies that cover nearly three-quarters of the earth’s surface. Three hours of lecture, two hours of lab per week. (Fulfills natural sciences requirement; fulfills QR2 requirement.)

GE 207. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGY 4
Investigation of Earth’s environments as viewed through the study of surficial and crustal geologic processes. Emphasis is on natural and anthropogenic phenomena including earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, landslides, climate change, soil erosion, pollution, waste management, and energy resources. Laboratories and field trips highlight geologic perspectives on the environment. Three hours lecture, three hours lab per week. K. Nichols

GE 208. ORIGIN AND DISTRIBUTION OF NATURAL RESOURCES 4
A survey of the origin, distribution, and exploitation of energy (e.g., petroleum, methane, coal, uranium) and mineral (e.g., metal, gem, agricultural fertilizer) resources throughout the world. The dependence of industrialized nations upon Earth’s energy and mineral resources is at the root of many national economies as well as many of the major environmental and geopolitical conflicts of our time. Future economic and population growth are certain to multiply demands for Earth resources, a fact that urges that there be an educated citizenry capable of making databased decisions regarding their availability and utilization. Related topics include shrinking resource reserves, environmental degradation, and the relative merits of various resource strategies. Prerequisite: GE101 or 102 or 207. Offered in 2010-11and alternate years. R. Lindemann

GE 211. CLIMATOLOGY 4
Introduction to the basic components of Earth’s climate system: the atmosphere, ocean, cryosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere. The course nvestigates the basic physical processes that determine climate and the links among the components of the climate system, including the hydrologic and carbon cycles and their roles in climate, climate stability, and global change. Topics also include climate patterns and forecasting climate, as well as their applications and human impacts. Three hours of lecture, two hours of lab per week. (Fulfills natural sciences requirement

Geoscience is the study of planet Earth, its materials, the processes that act upon them, and the history of the planet and its life forms since its origin. The mission of Skidmore’s geosciences program is to apply the understanding of Earth processes to contemporary issues such as Earth resources, land-use planning, and global change. The program’s curriculum includes ocean and atmospheric sciences, Earth surface processes, and the history of global change. A liberal arts degree in geosciences prepares a student for a number of professional activities related to resource management, climatology, oceanography, hydrology, Earth hazards, land-use planning, and environmental consulting. Our department contributes to the broader mission of the college by providing courses that enhance student awareness of, and appreciation for, Earth’s dynamic systems and the scientific methodologies by which they are understood.

THE GEOSCIENCES MINOR: The geosciences minor includes six GE courses. At least two of these six courses must be at the 200-level and at least two at the 300-level.