Description
Students who earn degrees in geology are highly marketable and are employed in an extensive number of career fields with competitive wages. Environmental consulting and remediation, engineering and construction, alternative energy development, oil and gas exploration, mineral resources mining and extraction, natural disaster prediction and mitigation, education, hydrology, and natural resources management and conservation are examples of career paths.

MCC's Geology A.S. degree program follows the State University of New York's seamless transfer path and general education framework that outlines the essential knowledge for students during their first two years of study. The curriculum is designed so that graduates will be well-positioned to finish a bachelor's degree in geology, or closely related field, with an additional two years of study. This degree program provides an extensive understanding of geology and geologic concepts while also providing hands-on, field opportunities.

Program Learning Outcomes
1.Identify Earth-forming rocks and minerals.
2.Analyze data from topographic and geologic maps.
3.Apply geologic techniques in the collection of data.
4.Use appropriate technology to solve geologic problems.
5.Interpret geologic data from collected samples, direct observation, published resources, or digital media.
6.Use observations in a field setting to answer geologic questions.
7.Discuss relationship between geology, the environment, and society in the Earth’s System.

Employment Potential
For related jobs: Career Coach
Occupational Resource: https://www.onetonline.org

Requirements for Program Entrance
Intermediate Algebra (MTH 104 at MCC) OR MCC Level 8 Mathematics placement
High School Earth Science, Precalculus, Environmental Science, Chemistry, Physics, Biology are recommended.

Distribution Requirements	Credit Hours
FIRST SEMESTER
ENG 101 College Composition OR ENG 200 Advanced Composition	3
MTH 175 Precalculus (grade of C or higher required) OR MTH 210 Calculus I (grade of C or higher required)	4
CHE 151 General College Chemistry I (grade of C- or higher required)	4
GEO 101 Physical Geology	4
First Semester Total:	15
SECOND SEMESTER
MTH 210 Calculus I OR MTH 211 Calculus II	4
CHE 152 General College Chemistry II	4
GEO 102 Historical Geology	4
SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION - DIVERSITY: EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND SOCIAL JUSTICE (SUNY-DVRS) ELECTIVE	3
Second Semester Total:	15
THIRD SEMESTER:
GEO 200 Geology of the National Parks OR GEO 210 Environmental Geology OR GEO 295 Field Studies in Geology OR GEG 204 Introduction to Climatology AND GEG 203 - Climatology Lab	4
MTH 211 Calculus II OR MTH 160 Statistics I	3-4
SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION - WORLD HISTORY and GLOBAL AWARENESS (SUNY-WHGA) ELECTIVE OR SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION - WORLD LANGUAGES (SUNY-WLNG) ELECTIVE	3-4
SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION - HUMANITIES (SUNY-HUMN) OR SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION - SOCIAL SCIENCES (SUNY-SOCS) ELECTIVE that also satisfies SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION - CIVIC DISCOURSE (SUNY-CVDS)	3
OPEN ELECTIVE	3-4
Third Semester Total:	16-19
FOURTH SEMESTER:
GEO 200 Geology of the National Parks OR GEO 210 Environmental Geology OR GEO 295 Field Studies in Geology OR GEG 204 Introduction to Climatology AND GEG 203 - Climatology Lab	4
GEG 130 Digital Earth	4
SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION - U. S. HISTORY and CIVIC ENGAGEMENT (SUNY-USCV) OR SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION - THE ARTS (SUNY-ARTS) ELECTIVE	3
SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION - CRITICAL THINKING and REASONING (SUNY-CTRN) if still needed OR OPEN ELECTIVE	3
OPEN ELECTIVE	3
Fourth Semester Total:	17
TOTAL CREDITS:	63-66

revised:03/11/2026

2026 - 2027