Are you interested in a program of study or career that can help to solve some of our planet’s most pressing issues? Do you want to have a better understanding of natural processes and resource management in our local area? Allan Hancock College’s geology program is a great steppingstone to many scientific disciplines that can address resource and environmental problems.
Geologists play an important role in our modern society in investigating problems such as natural resource management, climate change, and natural hazards like flooding, earthquakes, and landslides. Geology students learn innovative skills in mapping, data analysis, and communication.
The guided pathway in geology provides a solid interdisciplinary foundation that leads to a transfer degree to any UC or CSU university. A bachelor's degree in geology opens the door to careers in the fossil fuels industry, environmental firms, climate change research, regulatory agencies, academia, and alternative energy companies.
This program will help you to:
- understand modern and ancient environments to decipher processes at work on our planet
- identify and mitigate natural hazards such as earthquakes, coastal erosion, flooding, and landslides
- construct maps to represent and interpret geologic features and processes
- define the balance between society's demand for natural resources and the need to sustain healthy Earth systems
- understand global climate patterns
Suggested Course Sequence
The "Suggested Course Sequence" is an example of how to complete the requirements plus any additional general education that may be needed. If you would like to create a personalized Student Education Plan (SEP), schedule a meeting with a counselor.
Fall Semester (Year 1)
Course #
Course Title
Units
Prerequisite: Placement based upon Allan Hancock College's placement policy.
Designed to help students enhance their analytical reading and writing skills using a wide variety of texts. Emphasizes college-level expository essay construction, communication, and research methods leading to the preparation and writing of a research paper.
Physical Geology explores the processes that are shaping Earth today. It examines the formation of rocks and mineral resources, the volcanic and tectonic activity that accompany release of Earth's internal heat, and the sculpting of the planet's surface that occurs as air, water and ice move in response to gravity and energy from the Sun. Lab activities include identification of rocks and minerals, interpretation of topographic and geologic maps, and field studies of regional geologic features.
The first in a two-semester sequence comprising first-year calculus. Topics include functions, limits, continuity, the derivative, differentiation of algebraic, trigonometric and transcendental functions, applications of differentiation, the definite integral, and the use of technology to solve calculus problems.
Select one course from this list.
Total Units:
15.0
Spring Semester (Year 1)
Course #
Course Title
Units
Historical Geology explores how Earth and the life it supports have changed through time. Geologic principles are used to reconstruct the planet's origin and the events that have modified the physical environment, whereas fossils are used to trace the history of life and discover how natural selection and environmental change have shaped living communities. Lab exercises include the identification of rocks and fossils, map interpretation, and field study of regional geologic history.
Prerequisite: MATH 181
The second in a two-semester sequence comprising first-year calculus. Topics include methods and applications of integration, sequences and series, Taylor series, an introduction to differential equations, and the use of technology to solve calculus problems.
Select one course from this list.
Choose one of the following courses:
- ENGL 103, Critical Thinking and Composition
- PHIL 112, Logic
- PHIL 114, Critical Thinking
- COMM 106, Argumentation and Debate
Total Units:
14
Fall Semester (Year 2)
Course #
Course Title
Units
Prerequisite: CHEM 120
A study of the principles and theories of chemistry. Topics include the kinetic molecular theory of matter, atomic structure and the periodic table, chemical bonding, gases and stoichiometry. Experiments in standard qualitative and quantitative analysis emphasizing the collection and interpretation of data are covered in the lab. Lecture: 3 hours weekly. Lab: 6 hours weekly.
Choose one of the following courses:
- COMM 101, Public Speaking,
- COMM 102, Small Group Communication,
- COMM 106, Argumentation and Debate,
Select one course from area C1: Arts or from area C2: Humanities
Recommended one from this list:
- ES 121, African American History
- HIST 107, US History to 1877
- HIST 108, US History from 1877 to the Present
- HIST 118, U S History American Institutions Requirement
Or choose a course from this list.
Note: Recommended courses also fulfill CSU US History and American Institutions Graduation Requirement
If you did not satisfy this requirement with high school coursework or an external exam, complete one of the courses from this list. If you are unsure if you have met this requirement, see a counselor.
- ES 120: Chicano History
- ES 121: African American History
- HIST 120: Chicano History
- HIST 121: African American History
NOTE: Students who started at Allan Hancock College (or any CCC or CSU) prior to Summer 2021 and have maintained continuous enrollment are not required to complete Area F for CSU GE Certification. See a counselor for further information.
Total Units:
17
Spring Semester (Year 2)
Course #
Course Title
Units
Prerequisite: CHEM 150
A continuation of Chemistry 150, emphasizing the development of the principles and theories of chemical equilibria, chemical kinetics, thermodynamics and electro-chemistry, including an introduction to modern means of instrumental analysis. The laboratory consists of experiments in standard qualitative and quantitative analysis. Lecture: 3 hours weekly. Lab: 6 hours weekly.
Select one course from this list.
Recommended one from this list:
- POLS 101, Introduction to Political Science
- POLS 103, American Government
Or choose a course from this list.
Note: Recommended courses also fulfill CSU US History and American Institutions Graduation Requirement
Select one course from this list.
Total Units:
14 to 16
Program Requirements:
"Program Requirements" specify the courses required for this program. See suggested course sequence for additional information.
Required core courses (26 units):
Course Number | Course Title | Units |
---|---|---|
CHEM 150 | General Chemistry 1 | 5.000 - 0.000 |
CHEM 151 | General Chemistry 2 | 5.000 - 0.000 |
GEOL 100 | Physical Geology | 4.000 - 0.000 |
GEOL 111 | Historical Geology | 4.000 - 0.000 |
MATH 181 | Calculus 1 | 4.000 - 0.000 |
MATH 182 | Calculus 2 | 4.000 - 0.000 |
General Education (37-39 units):
CSU Transferrable Electives (2-4 units)
Suggested Course Sequence
The "Suggested Course Sequence" is an example of how to complete the requirements plus any additional general education that may be needed. If you would like to create a personalized Student Education Plan (SEP), schedule a meeting with a counselor.
Fall Semester (Year 1)
Course #
Course Title
Units
Prerequisite: Placement based upon Allan Hancock College's placement policy.
Designed to help students enhance their analytical reading and writing skills using a wide variety of texts. Emphasizes college-level expository essay construction, communication, and research methods leading to the preparation and writing of a research paper.
Physical Geology explores the processes that are shaping Earth today. It examines the formation of rocks and mineral resources, the volcanic and tectonic activity that accompany release of Earth's internal heat, and the sculpting of the planet's surface that occurs as air, water and ice move in response to gravity and energy from the Sun. Lab activities include identification of rocks and minerals, interpretation of topographic and geologic maps, and field studies of regional geologic features.
The first in a two-semester sequence comprising first-year calculus. Topics include functions, limits, continuity, the derivative, differentiation of algebraic, trigonometric and transcendental functions, applications of differentiation, the definite integral, and the use of technology to solve calculus problems.
Select one course from this list.
Total Units:
15
Spring Semester (Year 1)
Course #
Course Title
Units
Historical Geology explores how Earth and the life it supports have changed through time. Geologic principles are used to reconstruct the planet's origin and the events that have modified the physical environment, whereas fossils are used to trace the history of life and discover how natural selection and environmental change have shaped living communities. Lab exercises include the identification of rocks and fossils, map interpretation, and field study of regional geologic history.
Prerequisite: MATH 181
The second in a two-semester sequence comprising first-year calculus. Topics include methods and applications of integration, sequences and series, Taylor series, an introduction to differential equations, and the use of technology to solve calculus problems.
Select one course from this list.
Choose one of the following courses:
- ENGL 103, Critical Thinking and Composition
- PHIL 114, Critical Thinking
Total Units:
14
Fall Semester (Year 2)
Course #
Course Title
Units
Prerequisite: CHEM 120
A study of the principles and theories of chemistry. Topics include the kinetic molecular theory of matter, atomic structure and the periodic table, chemical bonding, gases and stoichiometry. Experiments in standard qualitative and quantitative analysis emphasizing the collection and interpretation of data are covered in the lab. Lecture: 3 hours weekly. Lab: 6 hours weekly.
Choose one of the following courses:
- COMM 101, Public Speaking
- COMM 102, Small Group Communication
- COMM 106, Argumentation and Debate
Select one course from area Area 3A: Arts or from area Area 3B: Humanities
If you are planning to transfer to a CSU campus, it is recommended that you take one U.S. History course (HIST 107, 108 or 118) AND one American Institutions (POLS 101 or 103) course. If not, select one course from this list.
Total Units:
14 to 17
Spring Semester (Year 2)
Course #
Course Title
Units
Prerequisite: CHEM 150
A continuation of Chemistry 150, emphasizing the development of the principles and theories of chemical equilibria, chemical kinetics, thermodynamics and electro-chemistry, including an introduction to modern means of instrumental analysis. The laboratory consists of experiments in standard qualitative and quantitative analysis. Lecture: 3 hours weekly. Lab: 6 hours weekly.
Select one course from this list.
If you are planning to transfer to a CSU campus, it is recommended that you take one U.S. History course (HIST 107, 108 or 118) AND one American Institutions (POLS 101 or 103) course. If not, select one course from this list.
If you did not satisfy this requirement with high school coursework or an external exam, complete one of the courses from this list. If you are unsure if you have met this requirement, see a counselor.
- ES 120: Chicano History
- ES 121: African American History
- HIST 120: Chicano History
- HIST 121: African American History
Total Units:
14 to 16
Program Requirements:
"Program Requirements" specify the courses required for this program. See suggested course sequence for additional information.
Required core courses (26 units):
Course Number | Course Title | Units |
---|---|---|
CHEM 150 | General Chemistry 1 | 5.000 - 0.000 |
CHEM 151 | General Chemistry 2 | 5.000 - 0.000 |
GEOL 100 | Physical Geology | 4.000 - 0.000 |
GEOL 111 | Historical Geology | 4.000 - 0.000 |
MATH 181 | Calculus 1 | 4.000 - 0.000 |
MATH 182 | Calculus 2 | 4.000 - 0.000 |
General Education (37-39 units):
CSU Transferrable Electives (2-4 units)
You may also be interested in....
Contact Information
Department Chair
Wendy Hadley
805-922-6966 ext. 3841
wendy.hadley@hancockcollege.edu
Administrative Assistant
Christina McMillan
805-922-6966 ext. 3202
cmcmillan@hancockcollege.edu
Dean, Academic Affairs
Sean Abel
805-922-6966 ext. 3537
sean.abel@hancockcollege.edu
LOCATION
Santa Maria Campus
Bldg. M
Map of Building M Locations
805-922-6966 ext. 3202