BS: Earth Sciences
The bachelor of science in Earth Sciences is offered through the Department of Earth Sciences. The program represents a strong concentration in the Earth sciences and is especially well suited for students who plan to continue their studies in graduate school. Beyond a central core of courses, there are several possible specializations (geology, geophysics, oceanography, climate) from which students must chose in order to develop depth in a particular area of Earth sciences. Students are encouraged to attend a summer off-campus field experience, for which scholarship funds may be available.
Degree Requirements
- Satisfy all University General Education Requirements or Discovery Program Requirements*
- *Students entering on or after Fall, 2010 fall under the University Discovery Program whereas those that entered before Fall, 2010 fall under the University General Education Program
- Satisfactorily complete MATH 425 and 426, CHEM 403 and 404 (or CHEM 405 if applicable), PHYS 407 and 408. Some of these courses may also satisfy Discovery Program requirements.
- Complete the core curriculum that includes a ESCI 401, The Dynamic Earth, or ESCI 409, Geology and the Environment; ESCI 402, Earth History; ESCI 501, Introduction to Oceanography; ESCI 512, Principles of Mineralogy; ESCI 530, Geological Field Methods or ESCI 534, Techniques in Environmental Sciences; and ESCI 654, Fate and Transport in the Environment, ESCI 658, Quantitative Methods in the Earth Sciences or ESCI 731, Geodynamics.
- Complete one of the approved concentrations:
- Oceanography – BIO 411 (satisfies BS Discovery requirement); ESCI 514; at least three of the following four courses: ESCI 750, ESCI 752, ESCI 758, ESCI 759; and three upper-level approved electives.
- Geology – ESCI 561, ESCI 614, ESCI 631, ESCI 652, and two approved 700-level electives.
- Geophysics – Math 527, Math 528, ESCI 561 or ESCI 614, ESCI 631, ESCI 731, ESCI 734 or ESCI 735.
- Climate – ESCI 514; ESCI 561; at least two of the following three courses: ESCI 760, ESCI 762, ESCI 765; and three upper-level approved electives.
- Complete three additional approved science/math electives. The following should be considered: additional 700-level Earth sciences courses; additional chemistry, mathematics, and physics courses; courses in computer science, engineering, and the biological sciences; and an off-campus field camp.
Below are a resume and an idealized course schedule by semester for undergraduates interested in the BS in Earth Sciences option. (.pdf format)
Climate Track |
Geology Track |
Geophysics Track |
Oceanography Track |