Paleontology and geology are, for the most part, historical sciences. This means that most of what they deal with is in the past. A God-honoring perspective in these sciences requires that we start with what God says about the past. We must ground ourselves in what the Word of God teaches on the origins of the Earth and its creatures before we can accurately use science to help us fill in the details. The Christian Earth scientist has the privilege of seeing God’s glory in every feature of the Earth, from the majestic beauty of the Grand Canyon to the intricate design in the eyes of a fossilized trilobite.

• Demonstrate an ability to identify and classify major rocks and minerals.
• Compare and contrast differing viewpoints of earth history from various theocentric and naturalistic worldviews and how these worldviews shape geological interpretation.
• Demonstrate the ability to read and interpret geologic maps, including the use of geographic information systems (GIS).
• Effectively prepare written and oral presentations from primary research literature in the geological sciences.
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of geological processes including plate tectonics, volcanoes, earthquakes, erosion, and weathering.
• Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the principles of stratigraphy and dating as they are used in correlation and interpreting earth history.

Requirements are subject to change; please refer to the academic catalog.