Earth Science Major

Description

Earth science majors must earn a minimum of 32 core and elective credits (in Earth Science and Geology) and an additional 19 credits in related lab sciences and mathematics. The core and elective courses that constitute the curriculum of this interdisciplinary major embody the knowledge base and methodologies of geology (solid earth and its resources), meteorology (the atmosphere and its movement), and hydrology (water and its cycling through the environment). As such, this major offers a flexible and broadly based program of study that is well suited for students who are preparing for school teaching (elementary or secondary) or planning for a career in environmental regulation, resource management or park service. By supplementing the major-related course work with additional electives, or an appropriate minor, a student may structure her/his study toward a special interest area, such as journalism, technical writing, business, or graduate study in geography, resource management, urban planning, or museum science.

What can I do with an earth science major?

Admission to the Program

Any undergraduate student can declare this major.

Program Requirements

Students in the earth science major pursue either a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree, and must complete the corresponding degree's requirements.

Required Core Courses

• GEL201 Introduction to Physical Geology
• ESC222 Introduction to Water Resources
• ESC211 Introduction to Meteorology
• BOTH of these courses are required; they should be taken in the junior year to ensure timely graduation:
  • ESC350 Computational Methods in the Field Sciences
  • ESC391 Writing in the Earth Sciences
• BOTH of these courses are required; they are typically taken in the senior year:
  • ESC494 Senior Research
  • ESC495 Senior Seminar
• ONE of the following geology electives:
  • GEL302 Historical Geology
  • GEL312 Mineral Science
• ONE of the following meteorology elective:
  • ESC313 Environmental Climatology
  • ESC420 Radar and Satellite Meteorology
  • ESC332 Air and Water Pollution
• ONE of the following water resources elective:
  • ESC318 Watershed Science
  • ESC412 Hydrology
  • GEL462 Groundwater
• 3-6 credits in ESC/GEL courses by advisement

Minimum Total Number of Core Credits: 32

Required Corequisite Courses

• MTH201 Calculus I
• CHM205 Chemistry I
• CHM206 Chemistry II
• ONE of the following physics sequences:
  • Sequence 1:
    • PHS205 Introduction to Physics I
    • PHS210 Introduction to Physics II
  • Sequence 2:
    • PHS235 Physics I
    • PHS240 Physics II

Total Number of Corequisite Credits: 20

Some electives are offered only once every two years.

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 or 312.