Pre-Geology, A.A. (General Transfer)

General Education Courses

Select a minimum of 30 credit hours of course work from the General Education course list. Course work must be selected as directed in the areas below.

Program Courses

• GL 104 - Historical Geology Credit Hours: 4
• CHM 140 - General Chemistry II Credit Hours: 4
• CHM 141 - General Chemistry II Laboratory Credit Hours: 1

• Select a minimum of one (1) course in Physics.

• PH 125 - College Physics I Credit Hours: 5
• PH 126 - College Physics II Credit Hours: 5
• PH 245 - Calculus Physics I Credit Hours: 5
• PH 246 - Calculus Physics II Credit Hours: 5

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  If transferring to Grand Valley State University, you should select [PH 125  and PH 126 ] or [PH 245  and PH 246 ].

  If transferring to Eastern Michigan University, you should select [PH 125  and PH 126 ] or [PH 245  and PH 246 ].

  If transferring to Western Michigan University, you should select [PH 125  and PH 126 ] or [PH 245  and PH 246 ].

  If transferring to Central Michigan University, you should select PH 245 .

Program Elective Courses

Select a minimum of two (2) courses from the list below. Courses should be selected based on your identified program or major at the 4-year transfer institution that you plan to attend. For assistance, please see a GRCC advisor or faculty member, in addition to viewing the “Transfer Notes” section below.

Note: Some courses on the list below have required prerequisites.  Please click on a course to view any prerequisites, and the course description.

• BI 101 - General Biology Credit Hours: 4
• BI 118 - Environmental Science Credit Hours: 3
• CIS 117 - Java Programming I Credit Hours: 3
• CIS 123 - Computer Science I Credit Hours: 4
• CIS 125 - Visual Basic Programming Credit Hours: 3
• CIS 156 - Microsoft Excel Credit Hours: 3
• CIS 223 - Computer Science II Credit Hours: 4
• CIS 225 - Visual Basic Programming II Credit Hours: 3
• MA 133 - Calculus with Analytic Geometry I Credit Hours: 5
• MA 134 - Calculus with Analytic Geometry II Credit Hours: 5
• Open Course - Elective Credit Hours: varies by course
• Open Course - Elective Credit Hours: varies by course

If Transferring to Grand Valley State University, select from the following [MA 133  and MA 134 ], or [MA 215  and Open Course ], or [(CIS 125  or CIS 117 ) and (CIS 223  or CIS 156  or CIS 225 )].

If Transferring to Eastern Michigan University, select Open Course .

If Transferring to Western Michigan University, select MA 134  and [BI 101  or BI 118 ].

If Transferring to Central Michigan University, select Open Course .

• MA 215 - Statistics Credit Hours: 4

Open Elective Courses

In addition to the above coursework, you will need to take other GRCC courses to complete your degree.

The GRCC course listed below may be helpful for students pursuing a Geology major at a 4-year institution and is a recommended open elective. However, the course listed below may not satisfy specific program and major requirements at your 4-year institution. For maximum transferability, all courses should be selected based on your identified program or major at the 4-year transfer institution that you plan to attend.

GL 106 - Environmental Geoscience  

The number of elective credit hours that you will need to complete this Pre-Major will depend on the number of credit hours that remain in order for you to reach the 60 credits needed to graduate. For assistance in developing an academic plan, please see a GRCC advisor or faculty member.

Total Credit Hours

60

Transfer Notes

Be aware that many 4-year institutions limit the number of credits that you can transfer from GRCC, and have final determination regarding the transferability and applicability of GRCC courses. Contact the 4-year institution to which you intend to transfer for assistance with course selections and verification of the transferability and applicability of courses/credits. It is recommended that you meet with an advisor to review the requirements for this program and have any questions about transfer answered prior to completing this degree program at GRCC.

In What Order Should I Take Classes?

Please select courses from the Priority I list.  Select courses based on the number of credits you are taking in the semester, for example, if you are a part time student you do not have to take all of the courses listed.  If you are unable to schedule Priority I courses, move to and select from the list of Priority II, Priority III, and Priority IV courses.

NOTE: This priority schedule assumes the student is prepared to take the courses listed. If prerequisites are required, additional semesters may be required to complete this degree.

Meet with an Academic Program Advisor and consult My Degree Path for specific degree requirements.

Essential Abilities/Technical Standards

1.   Essential judgment skills: include the ability to identify, assess, and comprehend situations for the purpose of problem solving and coming to appropriate conclusions and/or course of actions.  Specifically, students must be able to:

• Apply mathematical concepts to solve problems
• Discern relevant and irrelevant information when solving problems
• Express knowledge of the appropriate level of content in written and/or verbal formats
• Draw conclusions based on knowledge and experimental results
• Recognize unsafe situations in a laboratory environment

2.    Essential physical/neurological functions: include the ability to use the senses of sight, hearing, touch, and smell. Students must meet  expectations necessary to safely perform tasks required to study chemistry, which include the need for manual dexterity and the ability to use sight and hearing. Specifically, students must be able to:

• Manipulate equipment and glassware to prepare for and conduct laboratory procedures
• Write in a laboratory notebook during the course of a laboratory experiment
• Observe and note changes (in color, sound, etc.) as experimental conditions progress or change
• Operate a computer for the purposes of inputting or graphing data and writing laboratory reports
• Operate analytical instrumentation for the purpose of collecting and analyzing data in the course of scientific study and experimentation
• Read and /or hear laboratory directions that involve either experimental procedures or safety concerns
• Inform the course instructor of any allergies (chemical, latex etc.) that may lead to an allergic reaction
• Tolerate oders that are a normal part of a chemistry or biology lab experience

3.   Essential communication skills: include the ability to communicate effectively with fellow students, faculty, and all members of the Physical Sciences department. Specifically, students must be able to:

• Understand written and verbal direction when completing tasks and assignments associated with the lecture portion of science courses
• Understand written and verbal directions when completing laboratory tasks and assignments
• Understand written and verbal directions when following all Departmental safety rules and procedures
• Communicate any issues that involve health or safety in a laboratory environment
• Use information technology skills consistent with effective communication.

4.   Essential emotional coping skills: include the ability to demonstrate the mental health necessary to safely engage in the practice of scientific discovery.  Specifically, students must be able to:

• Engage in multitasking without becoming overly stressed
• Practice safe laboratory procedures and be mindful of the safety of others
• Realize that exposure to chemicals can have consequences if the correct safety procedures are not followed
• Collaborate with lab partners to complete a task in the classroom or laboratory
• Cooperate with others and work in groups or alone as indicated by a particular course

5.   Essential intellectual/conceptual skills: include the ability to measure, calculate, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate to engage competently in the safe practice of Chemistry. Specifically, students must be able to:

• Select appropriate methods to solve mathematical problems
• Use a calculator to complete calculations
• Use a computer to generate graphs and reports
• Use equipment and instrumentation to make measurements
• Analyze complex graphical data and/ or concepts
• Express an understanding of the concepts learned in chemistry in written form or verbally

6.   Other essential behavioral attributes: include the ability to engage in activities consistent with safe practice without demonstrated behaviors of addiction to, abuse of, or dependence on alcohol or other drugs that may impair behavior or judgment. The student must demonstrate responsibility and accountability for actions as a student in the Physical Sciences Department and as a developing professional in the field of chemistry consistent with accepted standards of practice.

Grand Rapids Community College strives to be more than ADA compliant. We strive to be accessible and welcoming to all students of all abilities. After reviewing the Essential Abilities/Technical Standards for this program; your responsibilities as a student entail determining if you can complete all associated coursework either:

• With Accommodation. I am otherwise qualified to meet the same academic standards as any other student entering the program. However, based on a medically documented condition or diagnosis, I would qualify for reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990). I will meet with Disability Support Services on campus to arrange those accommodations in an interactive process with the department of Physical Sciences.

• Without Accommodation. I am able to complete the program without need for reasonable accommodation or modification. In the event my medical documentation reveals otherwise or a condition manifests that would necessitate an accommodation; it is my responsibility to inform a responsible authority figure within the department of (field of study) and work with Disability Support Services to see if a reasonable accommodation or modification can be made.