Department of The Earth Sciences
MS Word copy of the Earth Sciences Student Handbook
This information defines the course of study leading to a B.S. in Earth Science at SUNY College at Brockport and should be used in conjunction with the SUNY Brockport Undergraduate Studies catalog, Your Right To Know, and the Academic Policies Handbook. This information applies to students matriculating Spring 2002 or later. (If you matriculated earlier, contact the Department of the Earth Sciences for the earlier handbook.)
INTRODUCTION
The interdisciplinary academic major in Earth Science at SUNY College at Brockport provides options for study in the atmospheric, hydrologic, and geologic sciences. This major provides a well rounded background in all three areas.
For students planning a career in secondary, middle, or elementary school teaching, the curriculum is flexible. Majors supplement the required core of geology, meteorology, and oceanography courses with electives related to interests and to career goals, (including non-science careers such as law, journalism, business, or national/state park service).
Field work is an important component of the programs. The Marine Geology - Bahamas practicum, independent research opportunities, and internships provide unique "hands-on" experiences.
ENVIRONMENTAL EARTH SCIENCE
Students interested in environmental earth science should investigate the earth science track of the Environmental Science (ENV) major. The ENV major provides for an interdisciplinary background in biology, earth science, and chemistry, with an emphasis in one of those disciplines. Students with a more focused interest in the physical sciences should look into the Geology or Water Resources majors, both of which have many environmental applications.
MAJOR ADVISEMENT
Advisors assist students in the solution of procedural problems, provide general information, and answer specific questions relating to a student's program. To be kept informed of advisement dates and changes that may affect your major, declare your major in earth science as soon as possible. Drs. Whitney Autin, James Zollweg, and Judy Massare advise earth science majors. If you are considering a major in earth sciences, contact one of these advisors to discuss a program of study that meets your interest and needs.
Dr. Whitney Autin dirtguy@esc.brockport.edu 585-395-5738
Dr. Judy Massare jmassare@esc.brockport.edu 585-395-2419
Dr. James Zollweg jzollweg@brockport.edu 585-395-2352
ADVISEMENT FOR TRANSFER STUDENTS
If you are planning to transfer into the earth science major at SUNY College at Brockport from another college, consider the curriculum in this handbook. If the college you presently attend doesn't offer equivalent earth science courses, complete mathematics, physics, and chemistry courses at the level of the curriculum listed here before you transfer into the earth science major at Brockport.
MAJOR IN EARTH SCIENCE
Earth science majors must earn a minimum of 51 credit hours within the department, supplementing the required core (17 cr.) with elective courses related to interests and to career goals (15 cr.), and completing the required science co-requisites (19 cr.)
Required core (17 hours):
ESC 200 Oceanography (3)
ESC 211 Introduction to Meteorology (4)
GEL 201 Introduction to Physical Geology (4)
ESC 350 Computational Methods in the Field Sciences (3)
ESC 391 Writing in the Earth Sciences (1)
ESC 493 Seminar on Earth Sciences Problems (2)
To make normal progress toward the degree, students should take ESC 391 and ESC 350 in the sophomore year (or junior year at the latest) and ESC 493 in the senior year. In planning your program of study, please note that a number of required courses are offered every other year.
Geology elective (select one)*
GEL 302 Historical Geology (4)
GEL 312 Mineral Science (4)
GEL 363 Environmental Geology (3)
Meteorology elective (select one)*
ESC 313 Environmental Climatology (3)
ESC 420 Atmospheric Sensing Methods (3)
ESC 421 Air Pollution Meteorology (3)
Water resources elective (select one)*
ESC 325 Wetlands Systems (3)
ESC 412 Hydrology (4)
GEL 462 Groundwater (4)
Upper-division electives
ESC/GEL credits by advisement (3-6)
ESC/GEL total of 32 hours
Science corequisites (19 hours)
CHM 205-206 College Chemistry I & II (8)
PHS 115-116 General Physics OR
PHS 201-202 College Physics I & II (8)
MTH 201 Calculus I (3)
*An upper division course from the major requirements corresponding to that elective area may be substituted with written permission, e.g., another course required for the geology major may be used in place of GEL 302, 312, or 363.
CONCENTRATION OF STUDIES
Concentration of studies is usually elected in one of these areas:
(1) Science teaching - meets the subject matter requirements for provisional certification in earth science and general science (Grades 7-12) with institutional endorsement.
(2) General earth science - provides a broad background in the earth sciences. This is primarily for students with interdisciplinary interests in which a background in the earth sciences is important. Such fields might include scientific writing, environmental law, or urban planning.
Additional electives for the earth science major may be selected from:
ESC 311 Synoptic Meteorology (4)
ESC 312 Weather Forecasting (4)
ESC 313 Environmental Climatology (3)
ESC 314 Climatology Laboratory (1)
ESC 319 Biological Oceanography (3)
ESC 325 Wetlands Systems (3)
ESC 330 Geo Information Systems (4)
ESC 364 Water Resource Issues (3)
ESC 412 Hydrology (4)
ESC 418 Watershed Sciences (3)
ESC 420 Atmosphere Sensing Methods (3)
ESC 421 Air Pollution Meteorology (3)
ESC 455 Introduction to Soils Science (3)
ESC 457 Marine Geology - Bahamas (3)
GEL 302 Historical Geology (4)
GEL 306 Introduction to Paleontology (4)
GEL 312 Mineral Science (4)
GEL 363 Environmental Geology (3)
GEL 411 Stratigraphy & Sedimentology (4)
GEL 415 Geomorphology (4)
GEL 462 Groundwater (3)
ESC 102 Elements of Geography may NOT be applied toward the ESC major.
SUGGESTED CURRICULUM PATTERN - GENERAL EARTH SCIENCE
This is a flexible curriculum for students planning a career in which a broad background in the earth sciences is important. Such careers could include park naturalist, scientific journalism, museum staff, environmental policy, urban planning, environmental law, or scientific computing. We strongly recommend that this curriculum be supplemented by a major or minor in biology, English, chemistry, communication studies, political science, business administration, international studies, or computer science, depending on specific career goals.
FRESHMAN YEAR
GEL 201 Introduction to Physical Geology 4
GEL 302 Historical Geology 4
MTH 201 Calculus I 3
ESC 112 College Composition 3
GEP 100 Academic Planning 1
General education electives
SOPHOMORE YEAR
CHM 205 College Chemistry I 4
CHM 206 College Chemistry II 4
ESC 200 Oceanography 3
ESC 350 Computational Methods 3
ESC 391 Writing in the Earth Sciences 1
General education electives
JUNIOR YEAR
ESC 211 Introduction to Meteorology 4
ESC 313 Environmental Climatology 3
ESC 315 Wetlands Systems 3
PHS 116 General Physics II 4
PHS 115 General Physics I 4
Electives
SENIOR YEAR
ESC/GEL Electives 6
ESC 493 Seminar on the Earth Sciences 2
Electives
Upper-division electives are selected to reflect areas of personal interest or specific career goals, as long as the distribution outlined in the degree requirements is met.
SUGGESTED CURRICULUM PATTERN - EARTH SCIENCE TEACHING
Broad training in the life and other physical sciences is required for science teaching in elementary or secondary schools. Certification for teaching is obtained through the College's Department of Education and Human Development. You should contact the Department of Education early in your program for information on requirements and deadlines for acceptance into the certification programs.
Teacher certification--secondary earth science
Completion of a major in earth science meets the subject matter requirements for provisional certification in earth science and general science (Grades 7-12) with institutional endorsement. Application to the certification program will be considered by the Department of Education and Human Development after you have completed 24 hours of college-level coursework with a minimum overall GPA of 2.5.
The requirements for certification currently listed by the Education & Human Development Department are:
1. General education 28
2. Your ESC/GEL courses for major (see page 4 of this handbook) 32
3. Minor in Physics, Chemistry, or Biology 18
4. Two semesters study with lab, in each of two science disciplines
(other than the major and minor) 16
5. One year's study of a language (other than English) 6
6. Professional: HLS 370 Drug Education for Teachers 1
PSH 484 Adolescence 3
EDI 320 Self, Schools & Society 3
EDI 447 Methods of Teaching Secondary Science 3
EDI 467 Earth Science Laboratory Methods and Materials 3
EDI 475 Practicum in Secondary Education 12
EDI 476 Seminar in Secondary Education 3
Teacher certification - elementary education
Contact the Department of Education and Human Development for a list of specific course requirements. We would recommend the same major electives as those listed in the sample curriculum for the certification program for teaching grades 7-12 on the next page.
SUGGESTED CURRICULUM PATTERN
Earth Science teaching (Grades 7-12).
Below is a typical program for a major in earth science, with provisional certification in earth science and general science (Grades 7-12).
FRESHMAN YEAR
GEL 201 Introduction to Physical Geology 4
GEL 302 Historical Geology 4
ENL 112 College Composition 3
BIO 202 Biology II 4
BIO 201 Biology I 4
MTH 201 Calculus I 3
GEP 100 Academic Planning Seminar 1
General education electives
SOPHOMORE YEAR
ESC 200 Oceanography 3
GEL/ESC elective 3
CHM 205 College Chemistry I 4
CHM 206 College Chemistry II 4
ESC 325 Wetlands Systems 3
ESC 350 Comp. Methods Field Sci. 3
ESC 391 Writing in the Earth Sciences 1
Language 6
JUNIOR YEAR
ESC 211 Intro Meteorology 4
ESC 313 Environmental Climatology 3
PHS 115 General Physics I 3
PHS 116 General Physics II 3
HLS 370 Drug Education 1
PSH 484 Adolescence 3
EDI 320 Self, School, and Society 3
EDI 447 Methods Sec. Science 3
Minor electives
SENIOR YEAR
ESC/GEL Elective 3
EDI 475 Practicum Sec. Science 12
ESC 493 Seminar on the Earth Sciences 2
EDI 476 Seminar Secondary Ed.. 3
EDI 467 Lab Methods & Materials 3
Minor elective
General education elective
Other upper-division electives may be substituted to reflect areas of personal interest, as long as the distribution outlined in the degree requirements is met.
RELATED STUDIES IN SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS
The study of earth science depends strongly on skills and knowledge from physics, chemistry, mathematics and computer science; additional course work in these disciplines is strongly recommended.
POLICY ON MAJOR AND MINORS IN THE EARTH SCIENCES
Majors within the Department of the Earth Sciences are strongly encouraged to have a second major or minor in chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics or computer sciences rather than within the department. Courses applied towards fulfilling the major CANNOT also be applied to a minor within the department. Where the same courses are required for both the major and minor, the minor work must be 18 credits beyond those commonly required credits.
MINOR IN EARTH SCIENCE
Eighteen credits are required, and must include GEL 201, ESC 211 and ESC 200. The remaining seven credits can be selected from upper division ESC and GEL courses that reflect the student's interests and career goals. For example, a biology major may complete a minor in earth science by taking Hydrology, Introduction to Soils Science and Environmental Climatology in addition to the eleven specified hours; this concentration is useful in interpreting physical characteristics of habitats. ESC 102 may NOT be applied towards the ESC Minor.
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
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Completion of a minimum of 120 semester hours in an approved program with a minimum grade point average of 2.0 earned at Brockport, and a maximum of 54 semester hours in any one discipline.
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Completion of the general education requirement of the College (by course work, transfer credit, or appropriate waiver).
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Completion of a minimum of 48 semester hours in upper division courses (numbered 300 or 400 level).
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Completion of 60 semester hours of liberal arts courses.
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Completion of an academic major program with a minimum cumulative index of 2.0 in all courses required for the major.
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