The pathway below represents an efficient and effective course taking sequence for this program. Individual circumstances might require some changes to this pathway. It is always recommended that you meet with an academic counselor to develop a personalized educational plan.
The courses have been intentionally placed and should be prioritized in
the order
in which they appear. If you are unable to take all the courses in
a semester, you
should prioritize enrolling in the courses in the order below.
Some courses have
been noted as “Appropriate for Intersession” 
. Should you need (or want) to take
classes
in the summer and/or winter intersessions,
the program recommends these courses as appropriate for the condensed
schedule of
the intersessions.
Some pathways combine a “Certificate of Achievement” and an “Associate
Degree”. If
you are pursuing only the Certificate of Achievement, you are only
required to take
the courses marked “Program Requirement” 
.
All pathways include at least one “Gateway Course” 
which introduces you to the program and/or field of study and helps you
decide if you want to continue with this Academic and Career Path.
Most Associate degrees (though not Associate Degrees for Transfer)
require satisfying the SMC Global Citizenship requirement. If the Program
Requirements do not include a “Global Citizenship course” 
, be sure to select a General Education course that also satisfies Global Citizenship.
Geologists study the origin, history, composition, and structure of the earth, both for scientific knowledge and for practical purposes such as locating oil, minerals, and other raw materials; and for compiling architectural safety reports, maps, and diagrams. They use knowledge of chemistry, physics, math, and biology, to analyze the data and specimens. Some possible career choices are found in the environmental consulting industry, pollution remediation, public policy and environmental law. Career titles include meteorologist, oceanographer, seismologist, soil scientist, structural geologist and teacher.
This program is intended to prepare students for UC transfer into the study of Geology.
Upon completion of the program, students will:
- Lower division major preparation for transfer into Geology
- Upon completion of Geology courses students will be able to: Demonstrate an understanding of the physical structure and morphology of the Earth and operation of Earth systems through a plate tectonic paradigm. Identify and classify Earth materials and demonstrate an understanding of their formational histories.
Icon Key
-
Gateway Course
-
Program Requirement
-
General Education -
Appropriate for
Intersession
-
Available Online -
Global Citizenship
NOTE: This is a general transfer map that outlines courses required by most institutions. It is highly recommended that you meet with an academic counselor for educational planning, as major requirements vary by institution.
NOTE: This transfer and/or degree program utilizes Cal-GETC as the required General Education pattern. If you started college before Fall 2025, you MAY be able to use either CSU GE or IGETC. You should meet with a counselor to discuss which general education pattern is appropriate for you.
Semester 1
15 Units
This course presents an introduction to geologic processes that have shaped the Earth. Lecture topics include formation of the Earth, plate tectonics, rocks, minerals, earthquakes, geologic structures, geologic time, coastal processes, and groundwater. Laboratory exercises expand this information by dealing with rock and mineral identification, topographic and geologic map interpretation, and the interpretation aerial photographs. Upon completion of this course, the student will have a good understanding of the processes that form major features on Earth.
- 5A: Physical Science
- 5C: Physical or Biological Science LABORATORY
- B1 - Physical Science
- B3 - Laboratory Sciences
- Area I: Natural Science
An intensive preparation for calculus. This course is intended for computer science, engineering, mathematics and natural science majors. Topics include algebraic, exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions and their inverses and identities, conic sections, sequences, series, the binomial theorem and mathematical induction.
- Prerequisite: MATH 20 and
- Prerequisite: MATH 32
- Skills Advisory: Eligibility for ENGL 1
- 2A: Mathematic
- B4 - Mathematics/Quantitative Thinking
- Area IV-B: Language and Rationality (Group B) Option 1
In this course, students receive instruction in academic reading and writing, including writing processes, effective use of language, analytical thinking, and the foundations of academic research.
- Prerequisite: ENGL 21B or
- Prerequisite: ENGL 22
- Prerequisite: ESL 19B or
- Prerequisite: Group A on the Placement Test
- 1A: English Composition
- A2 - Written Communication
- Area IV-A: Language and Rationality (Group A)
This course provides an exploration of intellectual, psychological, social and physical factors that impact lifelong learning, well-being and success. Topics include motivation and self-efficacy; critical thinking, academic integrity and active study strategies; health issues and lifestyle choices; relating to others as a global citizen; written and oral communication; time management; career exploration; and educational planning.
- E - Lifelong Understanding and Self-Development
Semester 2
16 Units
Chemistry 10 is a survey of introductory chemistry topics with a laboratory component. It is intended as preparation for Chemistry major or those planning to go into a STEM major or as a way to fulfill the science general education requirement. It introduces the main concepts and principles of chemistry and serves as a prerequisite for the General Chemistry sequence (CHEM 11 and CHEM 12). Emphasis is placed on understanding basic chemical principles and their quantitative application in various settings. Experimental techniques, including the safe and competent handling of chemicals and laboratory equipment will also be part of the course.
- Prerequisite: MATH 31 or
- Prerequisite: MATH 49
- 5A: Physical Science
- 5C: Physical or Biological Science LABORATORY
- B1 - Physical Science
- B3 - Laboratory Sciences
- Area I: Natural Science
This first course in calculus is intended primarily for science, technology, engineering and mathematics majors. Topics include limits, continuity, and derivatives and integrals of algebraic and trigonometric functions, with mathematical and physical applications.
- Prerequisite: MATH 2 or
- Prerequisite: MATH 3 and
- Prerequisite: MATH 4
- 2A: Mathematic
- B4 - Mathematics/Quantitative Thinking
- Area IV-B: Language and Rationality (Group B) Option 1
In this course, students receive instruction in critical thinking for purposes of constructing, evaluating, and composing arguments in a variety of rhetorical forms, using primarily non-fiction texts, refining writing skills and research strategies developed in ENGL C1000 Academic Reading and Writing (or C-ID ENGL 100) or similar first-year college writing course.
- Prerequisite: ENGL 1
- 1B: Critical Thinking-English Composition
- 3B: Humanities
- A3 - Critical Thinking
- C2 - Humanities
- Area III: Humanities
GEOG 14 recommended
See the full list: Cal-GETC Area 4 Course
Semester 3
16 Units
This course is the first semester of a two-semester, standard first year college chemistry course (Chemistry 11 and Chemistry 12). It introduces the fields of physical, analytical, inorganic, and organic chemistry. Topics to be discussed include atomic structure, chemical bonding, common types of reactions, stoichiometry, thermochemistry, and the properties of gases, liquids, and solids.
- Prerequisite: CHEM 10 and
- Prerequisite: MATH 20 and
- 5A: Physical Science
- 5C: Physical or Biological Science LABORATORY
- B1 - Physical Science
- B3 - Laboratory Sciences
- Area I: Natural Science
This second course in calculus is intended primarily for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics majors. Topics include derivatives and integrals of transcendental functions with mathematical and physical applications, indeterminate forms and improper integrals, infinite sequences and series, and curves, including conic sections, described by parametric equations and polar coordinates.
- Prerequisite: MATH 7
- 2A: Mathematic
- B4 - Mathematics/Quantitative Thinking
- Area IV-B: Language and Rationality (Group B) Option 1
Cal-GETC Area 1C Course 3 units
ENVRN 20 recommended
See the full list: Cal-GETC Area 3B Course
Semester 4
13-14 Units
This course is a continuation of Chem 11. Topics covered include kinetics, equilibrium, acid-base chemistry, precipitation reactions, coordination chemistry, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, and nuclear chemistry.
- Prerequisite: CHEM 11 and
- Prerequisite: MATH 2 or
- Prerequisite: MATH 3 and
- Prerequisite: MATH 4
- 5A: Physical Science
- 5C: Physical or Biological Science LABORATORY
- B1 - Physical Science
- B3 - Laboratory Sciences
- Area I: Natural Science
Cal-GETC Area 6 Course 3 units
This course serves as a preparation for calculus-based physics. It serves as an introduction to classical mechanics, including concepts and principles pertinent to the mechanics of solids. It also prepares students for handling data and analysis at the level required in Physics 8 and 21.
- Advisory: MATH 2 or
- Advisory: MATH 3 and
- Advisory: MATH 4
GEOL 5 recommended
Semester 5
16 Units
Topics include vectors and analytic geometry in two and three dimensions, vector functions with applications, partial derivatives, extrema, Lagrange Multipliers, multiple integrals with applications, vector fields. Green's Theorem, the Divergence Theorem, and Stokes' Theorem.
- Prerequisite: MATH 8
- 2A: Mathematic
- B4 - Mathematics/Quantitative Thinking
- Area IV-B: Language and Rationality (Group B) Option 1
This course is a calculus-based study of the mechanics of rigid bodies, emphasizing Newton’s laws and its applications. This course includes an introduction to fluids. It is designed for engineering, physical science, and computer science majors.
- Prerequisite: MATH 7
- 5A: Physical Science
- 5C: Physical or Biological Science LABORATORY
- B1 - Physical Science
- B3 - Laboratory Sciences
- Area I: Natural Science
Cal-GETC Area 3A Course 3 units
POLS C1000 ( or POL SC 1) recommended for CSU graduation requirement
See the full list: Cal-GETC Area 4 Course
Semester 6
8 Units
This course is a calculus-based study of fluids, waves, thermodynamics, and light intended for engineering and physical science students.
- Prerequisite: PHYSCS 21 and
- Prerequisite: MATH 8
- 5A: Physical Science
- 5C: Physical or Biological Science LABORATORY
- B1 - Physical Science
- B3 - Laboratory Sciences
- Area I: Natural Science
BIOL 9 recommended
See the full list: Cal-GETC Area 5B Course