Associate in Science Degree for Transfer, Geology
Huntington Beach, USA
Associate of Science
DURATION
4 semesters
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2027
TUITION FEES
USD 5,953 / per semester *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* $11,906 per year
Key Summary
About: The Associate in Science in Geology Transfer degree at Golden West College (Huntington Beach, CA) trains students in earth science and geoscience fundamentals. You’ll study plate tectonics, climate change, geologic time and the fossil record, plus the formation of mineral and fossil fuel resources. The program uses the scientific method to examine volcanoes, mountain-building, coastal geology and California’s diverse geology, and it covers geologic hazards such as earthquakes, floods and landslides and human impacts on the globe.
Career Outcomes: Graduates pursue geologist, environmental consultant, geological technician, coastal geologist, GIS analyst roles in energy, consulting, government and research and academia.
The Associate in Science in Geology transfer degree focuses on an understanding of the internal processes responsible for the formation of the Earth from a scientific perspective. Students choosing the geology degree program will study a range of natural science concepts, including plate tectonics, climate change, and the evolution of the dynamic planet Earth. This degree employs the scientific method to understand the formation of the Earth, including how volcanoes and mountain-building events change the geography and ecosystems of the Earth. Students will explore geologic time as it relates to the origins and evolution of life through the fossil record. An understanding of the formation of economically important mineral and fossil fuel resources is an important aspect of the degree program. A portion of this course will focus on the diverse California geology and coastal development. Completion of this major will provide students with a well-rounded understanding of human impacts on the globe and the ways geologic hazards such as earthquakes, floods, and landslides impact human development.
Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Define the application of the scientific method to geology and how it allows scientists to develop theories of the natural forces that shape the evolving Earth.
- Describe the processes of plate tectonics as they relate to mountain-building events, volcanoes, earthquakes, and the evolution of landscapes.
- Define the processes of mineral and rock formation and the importance of economic resources.
- Evaluate geologic landscapes and structures, such as faults, folds, and the physical forces required to develop a geologic landscape.
- Relate geologic time and the fossil record to past climates and the tectonic and ecological environments responsible for the formation of the Earth.
- Examine past climates, both those warmer and cooler than current conditions, and how ice ages impacted climate and shaped landscapes.
- Perform rudimentary calculations relating to physical structure and chemical compositions.