Several frequently asked questions and answers related to the A.S. Geology degree are found below. These are common questions often asked by prospective students interested in the Geology degree and Leadville in general.
Are there any minimum requirements for entry into the A.S. Geology degree?
All incoming students are required to take the Accuplacer exam to determine their current level of reading and math comprehension. ACT scores can also be used in place of the Accuplacer exam but these need to be submitted as early as possible.
Since Calculus I and II are the math requirements for the A.S. Geology degree, you will need to have completed either Pre-Calculus or Trigonometry in order to enroll into Calculus I.
Also, you will need to be able to read at the college level and be eligible to enroll into ENG-121.
Will the A.S. Geology degree from CMC transfer to any four-year institution?
Transfer pathways with several four-year institutions have or are being developed to provide clear guidance. However, in general courses completed for this degree are likely to be accepted by numerous other four-year geology programs as well.
The CMC Geology Program has a number options for those wishing to move on to a four-year degree in geoscience:
Colorado State University
CSU Geology Program
Fort Lewis College
FLC Geology Program
Northern Arizona University
NAU Geology Program
University of Kansas
KU Geology Program
University of Colorado – Boulder
CU-Boulder Geology Program
I am student at another CMC campus besides Leadville. Can I complete A.S. Geology degree without having to relocate or travel to Leadville?
With the exception of GEY-228 Field Geology you can complete the A.S. Geology degree at other campuses.
However, you will likely not have access to very unique facilities and field instrumentation specific to the Leadville campus. Plus, the Field Institute (see below) is housed on the Leadville campus as well which provides invaluable hands-on field experiences.
Can I gain employment upon completing the A.S. Geology degree?
Yes but in general a bachelor’s is preferred for a majority of Geoscience jobs.
Geoscience Employment Outlook Resources
Geoscience is very wide and diverse as reflected by the numerous types of employment with the field. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics provides a good start for fairly comprehensive information about employment outlook and typical duties involved with Geoscientists:
General Geologist (Including Petroleum Geology)
Environmental Scientist
Hydrologist
Seismologist
Mining and Geological Engineers
In general a majority of Geoscience positions in government and the industry require a Bachelor’s degree at a minimum. Employment in an academic setting typically require a Ph.D. with the exception of two-year schools (i.e., Community College).
What does one expect in a career in Geoscience?
The field of Geology is widely varied, however, most careers involve a significant amount of time spent in the field and office. In certain sectors (i.e., government and academia) there may be time spent in the lab as well.
Employment in the private sector may involve weeks of domestic and international travel. Government employment, depending on your grade, may involve travel throughout the United States.
I love being outdoors. Will a career in Geoscience allow me to work outside?
For the most part yes. Time spent out in the field will generally depend on the specific area of Geology you study and the sector of employment. A career in Geoscience can definitely include a significant amount of time outside!
I’m interested in a Field Tech position through the Natural Resource Management (NRM) Field Institute. Am I able to gain one of the Field Technician positions?
Yes. However, due to possible limited number of available positions (grant funding dependent) through the NRM Field Institute they can be competitive. Work with our adviser and communicate with staff from the
NRM Field Institute if you are interested.