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Associate in Science for Transfer Degree
Geology

The Associate in Science in Geology for Transfer (AS-T) Degree is intended to meet the lower division requirements for Geology majors (or similar majors) at a CSU campus that offers a Geology baccalaureate degree. It will prepare students who are intending to transfer to any CSU with an introductory background in geology and the history of our earth, as well as the mathematical tools and qualitative and quantitative thinking skills necessary to understand our beautiful planet.

Please contact the Student Success Team for this program if you have any questions.

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Sample Education Plan

This sample education plan for the 2024-2025 catalog year represents one possible pathway through the program. Each university (UC, CSU, private, and others) has their own transfer requirements; please see a counselor to create an education plan that is customized to meet your needs. Additional course descriptions may be found in the College Catalog.
Select sample path/map:
CourseUnitsTypically Offered
1st Semester
Select one: MATH 190 / MATH 190H (IGETC B4)M4.0
MATH 190 - Calculus I (4.0 units)

Prerequisite:MATH 180 or MATH 185 or appropriate placement (based on high school GPA and/or other measures)
Transfers to: UC (*credit limit), CSU
(*Students will receive credit for only one of the following courses: MATH 170, MATH 190 or MATH 190H)

This course is designed for students planning to pursue programs in engineering, mathematics, computer science, and physical sciences. It is the first course in differential and integral calculus of a single variable, and covers functions, limits and continuity, the techniques and applications of differentiation and integration, and the fundamental theorem of calculus.

MATH 190H - Calculus I Honors (4.0 units)

Prerequisite:ENGL C1000 and MATH 185 or MATH 180 or appropriate placement (based on high school GPA and/or other measures)
Transfers to: UC (*credit limit), CSU
(*Students will receive credit for only one of the following courses: MATH 170, MATH 190 or MATH 190H)

This course is designed for students planning to pursue programs in engineering, mathematics, computer science, and physical sciences. It is the first course in differential and integral calculus of a single variable, and covers functions, limits and continuity, the techniques and applications of differentiation and integration, and the fundamental theorem of calculus. This course is intended for students who meet Honors Program requirements.

GEOL 150 - Physical Geology (IGETC 5A)M3.0
GEOL 150 - Physical Geology (3.0 units)

(Formerly GEOL 001)

Advisory:It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level, read college-level texts, and have knowledge of elementary algebra concepts.
Transfers to: UC, CSU

This introductory course covers the principles of geology, with emphasis on Earth processes, and fulfills the physical science general education requirement. The course focuses on the internal structure and origin of the Earth and the processes that change and shape. Earthquakes, volcanoes, oil, beaches, tsunamis, rocks, rivers, glaciers, plate tectonics, minerals, and continent and mountain building are among the topics that are explored.

GEOL 151 - Physical Geology Laboratory (IGETC 5C)M1.0
GEOL 151 - Physical Geology Laboratory (1.0 units)

(Formerly GEOL 001L)

Prerequisite/Corequisite: GEOL 150
Advisory:It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level, read college-level texts, and have knowledge of elementary algebra concepts.
Transfers to: UC, CSU

This lab engages students with a hands-on review of the principles presented in Geology 150 and their application to everyday life. Laboratory exercises will include but are not limited to the identification of minerals; igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks; topographic and geologic map exercises demonstrating the work of water, wind, ice, and gravity; and the effects of tectonic activity.

Cal-GETC 3a - ArtsGE3.0†

Notes:
All honors courses have a prerequisite.
† some classes may have higher units.

Select one:
ARCH 103
ARTS: ART 104, 105, 105H, 106, 106H, 107, 108, 109, 110, 112, 113, 115, 117
DANC 179, 179H, 199, 199H
GDSN 110
MUS 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 135, 136
MUST 151, 152
THTR 101, 105, 105H

Total Semester Units:11.0† 
2nd Semester
MATH 191 - Calculus IIM4.0
MATH 191 - Calculus II (4.0 units)

Prerequisite: MATH 190 or MATH 190H
Transfers to: UC, CSU

This semester-long course continues the study of calculus begun in MATH 190. The course includes techniques of integration, improper integrals, anti-derivatives, applications of the definite integral, differential equations, Taylor polynomials, series, polar equations, and parametric equations. This course is the second course of the calculus sequence required of all engineering, physics, and mathematics majors.

CHEM 120 - Introduction to ChemistryM5.0
CHEM 120 - Introduction to Chemistry (5.0 units)

(Formerly CHEM 090)

Prerequisite:Enrollment requires appropriate placement (based on high school GPA and/or other measures), or completion of an intermediate algebra course.
Advisory:It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
Transfers to: UC (*Credit limit), CSU
(*Students will receive credit for only one of the following courses: CHEM 110, CHEM 120; no credit if taken after CHEM 130)

This one-semester course is designed for students intending to major in science or engineering. The course primarily prepares students for CHEM130; additionally, it fulfills the General Education requirement in the physical sciences. This course introduces the fundamental principles of general chemistry, with emphasis on chemical nomenclature and quantitative problems in chemistry. The lecture presents classical and modern chemistry, including atomic theory, periodic properties, chemical bonding, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, acids and bases, gas laws, and solutions. The laboratory introduces the techniques of experimental chemistry with examples from all areas of chemistry.

The course data is currently unavailable.0
Cal-GETC 3b - HumanitiesGE3.0†

Notes:
All honors courses have a prerequisite.
† some classes may have higher units.

Select one:
ANTH 104
ASL 124, 201
CHIN 102
CHST 101, 146, 148, 148H
ENGL126
FR 102, 201, 202
HIST 101, 102, 122, 131, 143, 143H, 144, 144H, 156, 157, 158, 159, 159H, 167, 170
HUM 110, 111, 125, 125H, 130, 140, 145
JAPN 102
LIT 102, 102H, 112A, 112AH, 112B, 112BH, 114, 114H, 117, 117H, 130, 130H, 140, 140H, 141, 141H, 142, 142H, 144A, 144AH, 144B, 144BH, 145, 145H, 146A,146AH, 146B, 146BH, 147, 147H, 148, 148H, 149, 149H
PHIL 101, 101H, 102, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 128H, 135, 140
POLS 128, 128H;
SPAN 102, 201, 201H, 202

Total Semester Units:12.0† 
Summer 1
ENGL C1000 - Academic Reading and Writing (formerly ENGL 101) (IGETC 1A)GE3.5
ENGL C1000 - Academic Reading and Writing (formerly ENGL 101) (3.5 units)

(Formerly ENGL 001A, ENGL 101)

Prerequisite:Placement as determined by the college’s multiple measures assessment process.
Transfers to:UC, CSU

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. This composition course enables students to generate logical, coherent essays that incorporate sources necessary for academic and professional success. Students become proficient in researching, evaluating, and incorporating sources, and in learning critical reading and thinking skills through expository and persuasive reading selections before applying these skills to creating original documented essays. The writing workshop component of the course is designed to assist students with improving and refining their writing and language skills: Students complete writing workshop activities that enhance their ability to compose logical, well-supported arguments that exhibit grammatical fluency and correct citation styles. Students meet with composition instructors through individual or small group conferences that address students’ specific writing concerns. 

US HISTORY (IGETC 4)GE3.0

Note: All honors courses have a prerequisite.

All CSU campuses have a graduation requirement in American Institutions. Students may choose one of the following US History courses to partially fulfill this requirement: HIST 143, 143H, 144, 144H, 156, 157, 158, 159, 159H, 170.

Total Semester Units:6.5 
3rd Semester
CHEM 130 - General Chemistry IM5.0
CHEM 130 - General Chemistry I (5.0 units)

(Formerly CHEM 001A)

Prerequisite: CHEM 120
Advisory: ENGL 101; MATH 175
Transfers to: UC, CSU

This course is the first semester of a two-semester sequence designed for students intending to major in science and engineering. The lecture course covers classical and modern chemistry, with applications in stoichiometry and classical atomic theory of chemistry, periodic properties, gas laws, modern quantum theory of atomic and molecular structure and periodic properties, thermochemistry, liquids and solids, and solution chemistry. The laboratory introduces experimental chemistry with examples from all areas of chemistry.

Cal-GETC 1b - Critical Thinking and CompositionGE3.0†

Notes:
All honors courses have a prerequisite.
† some classes may have higher units.

Select one:
ENGL C1001, 1001H
PHIL 110, 110H

Cal-GETC 5b - Biological ScienceGE3.0†

Notes:
All honors courses have a prerequisite.
† some classes may have higher units.
All labs or courses with labs are indicated by an '*':

Select one:
ANTH 101, 101H, 101L*; BIOL 101*, 105, 105L*, 111, 111L*, 120, 120L*, 200*, 201*, 206, 222*, 226*;
PSY 210, 210H.

Select one: POLS C1000 / POLS C1000H (IGETC 4)GE3.0
POLS C1000 - American Government and Politics (3.0 units)

(Formerly POLS 110, 002)

Advisory:It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
Transfers to: UC (*credit limit), CSU
(*Students will receive credit for only one of the following courses: POLS C1000 or POLS C1000H)

This course is an introduction to government and politics in the United States and California. Students examine the constitutions, structure, and operation of governing institutions, civil liberties and civil rights, political behaviors, political issues, and public policy using political science theory and methodology.

POLS C1000H - American Government and Politics - Honors (3.0 units)

(Formerly POLYS 110H, POLS 110H)

Advisory: ENGL C1000
Transfers to: UC (*credit limit), CSU
(*Students will receive credit for only one of the following courses: POLS C1000 or POLS C1000H)

This is an introduction to government and politics in the United States and California. Students examine the constitutions, structure, and operation of governing institutions, civil liberties and civil rights, political behaviors, and public policy using political science theory and methodology. This is an honors course.

Total Semester Units:14.0† 
4th Semester
CHEM 140 - General Chemistry IIM5.0
CHEM 140 - General Chemistry II (5.0 units)

Prerequisite: CHEM 130
Advisory: ENGL 101; MATH 180
Transfers to:UC, CSU

CHEM 140 is a continuation of CHEM 130. Theory and techniques of elementary physical chemistry are stressed. Emphasis is placed on the dynamics of chemical change using thermodynamics and reaction kinetics as the major tools. A thorough treatment of equilibrium is given, with many examples of acid/base, buffer, solubility, and complex ions. Entropy and free energy, electrochemistry, coordination compounds and a brief introduction to organic chemistry and nuclear chemistry are presented. Various analytical techniques used in modern chemistry are introduced. Descriptive chemistry of representative metallic and nonmetallic elements is included. The Laboratory introduces experimental chemistry with examples from areas of kinetics, equilibrium, acid/base and buffer preparation, differential titration, electrochemistry, and qualitative analysis. Modern instrumental methods are used in some exercises.

GEOL 152 - Historical GeologyM3.0
GEOL 152 - Historical Geology (3.0 units)

Advisory:It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level, read college-level texts, and have knowledge of elementary algebra concepts.
Transfers to: UC, CSU

This introductory course covers the history of Earth and the life it supports. Topics include geologic dating, global tectonics, stratigraphy, fossils, biological evolution, the planet’s origin, and the processes that have influenced paleogeography during the past 4.6 billion years.

GEOL 152L - Historical Geology LabM1.0
GEOL 152L - Historical Geology Lab (1.0 units)

Prerequisite/Corequisite: GEOL 152
Advisory:It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level, read college-level texts, and have knowledge of elementary algebra concepts.
Transfers to:UC, CSU

This lab engages students with a hands-on review of the principles presented in GEOL 152. Topics include geologic dating, plate tectonics, stratigraphy, fossils, biological evolution, the planet’s origin, and the processes that have influenced paleogeography during the past 4.6 billion years.

Cal-GETC 1c - Oral CommunicationGE3.0

Note: All honors courses have a prerequisite.

Select one:
COMM C1000, C1000H

Total Semester Units:12.0 
Summer 2
The course data is currently unavailable.0
Cal-GETC 6 - Ethnic StudiesGE3.0

Select one:
CHST 101
EGSS 110

Total Semester Units:3.0 
Total Units for Geology AS-T program (Transfer to Cal-GETC)58.5† 
Notes:
  • AP exams and courses taken outside of Rio Hondo College may fulfill general education and/or major requirements. Please check with a counselor.
Legend:
Some classes may have higher units
M Major course; course may also meet a general education requirement
GEGeneral Education course
ELElective Course
Advising Sheet:
Click or tap here to open the program's advising sheet.

Program Learning Outcomes

About RHC

Rio Hondo College, serving the communities of El Monte, Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs, South El Monte, and Whittier for over 50 years.

Contact

Rio Hondo College
3600 Workman Mill Road
Whittier, CA 90601

Phone: (562) 692-0921
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