Geology

Take the first step toward a career as a geoscientist—a public-serving role with tremendous impact on human life. Our program can empower you the knowledge and skills needed to continue your education in preparing to find and manage natural resources, such as surface and ground water, soils for growing crops and building materials, and fossil and nuclear fuels.

Students at any Maricopa Community College may need to complete courses at more than one of our colleges.

SCC Program Description

From the Grand Canyon to SCC’s GeoScene to your own backyard, Arizona is a fabulous place to study geology.

In addition to the course offerings listed below, resources for current geology students and details about geology on campus are available through our showcase site.

We offer several classes that may be right for you. Lectures and laboratories are separate courses; however, we recommend that you enroll in both during the same semester. If necessary, courses can be taken whenever your schedule permits.

Do you enjoy looking at rocks and minerals? Are you fascinated by fossils and the evolution of Earth and life? Did you know that geologists are responsible for discovering the materials used in our modern technologies? The geology program will provide students with the skills to discover, recognize, and use the Earth’s natural resources to promote the quality of human life. Students will study Earth’s composition, history, surface processes, and internal workings. The study of geology leads to careers ranging from hydrologist, petroleum geologist, seismologist, and volcanologist.

Students in the geology program earn an associate of science degree, preparing them to transfer to a four-year program. If students follow the correct transfer path, they enter transfer partner universities as juniors. Courses are available in person (day and evening) and online. Most students take a combination of in-person and online or hybrid courses to complete their Geology studies. 

Experiential Learning Opportunities

  • GEOS Club

Course Format/Textbooks

Classes are offered in various formats: in-person, online, hybrid, day, evening, full-time and part-time.


 

Most of our courses use low-cost textbooks or no-cost material your instructors provide. General education courses may have textbooks that cost more.