Exam make-up is permitted only in cases of excused absence or prior arrangement with the instructor.
Too often, available geological expertise and knowledge are not considered in policy decisions that affect water quality, land use, waste disposal, and domestic and industrial hygiene standards. This may be the result of too few Americans obtaining enough education in geology to enable them to appreciate the importance of that science in environmental applications. The costs of geological ignorance are staggering. These losses are mostly preventable but will occur whenever necessary geological evaluation is omitted or performed poorly by someone without suitable training. Citizens who associate geology with only the study of dinosaurs, the production of oil and gas, or prospecting for precious metals are not likely to think of consulting a geologist when property is purchased, land use zoning decisions are made, environmental legislation is passed, or building codes are drafted.