Undergraduate

Earth Sciences

Explore topics from mineralogy to oceanography while conducting fieldwork in diverse settings from the Great Bay Estuary to the White Mountains.

2026

Degree

Minor

Location

Durham, NH

Courses

Credit

20 hrs.

Full-time

- -

Part-time

- -

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Earth Sciences

The Earth Sciences minor at UNH offers foundational training in geological and environmental systems. Here you'll be able to explore topics from mineralogy to oceanography while conducting fieldwork in diverse settings from the Great Bay Estuary to the White Mountains.

Through hands-on experience with geospatial technologies and laboratory techniques, you'll gain valuable expertise that enhances career opportunities across fields from business to environmental law.

Earth Sciences Department

Key Links

Tuition Costs

Contact Cards

Matt Davis

Undergraduate Coordinator

Associate Professor

Matt.Davis@unh.edu

James Hall, Room 230, Durham, NH 03824

(603) 862-4119

WHAT IS EARTH SCIENCES?

The study of Earth sciences will give you abroad foundation and essential skills in the geosciences. You’ll be able to choose from courses in geology and the environment, history, minerology, chemistry, oceanography, geodynamics and geospatial technologies, with flexibility in approved courses to accommodate your interests in different aspects of the geosciences. The Earth Sciences minor program nicely complements other majors to prepare you for graduate or professional school, or careers in law, business, the nonprofit sector, government or industry.

WHY STUDY EARTH SCIENCES AT UNH?

UNH is located on the Great Bay Estuary and close to the White Mountains, providing an ideal backdrop for hands-on learning opportunities for all Earth sciences students. You’ll have multiple options to immerse yourself in research experiences in the field and in state-of-the-art laboratory settings. Increasing needs for energy, environmental protection and responsible land, water and resource management means that those with a background in Earth sciences will be well prepared for the future job market.

POTENTIAL CAREERS

Biologist
Business analyst
Energy sector specialist
Environmental consultant
Government agency manager
Land/water/resource-use steward
Lawyer
Oceanographer
Science journalist
Secondary school teacher

Curriculum & Requirements

Program Description

The Department of Earth Sciences offers a minor in Earth Sciences available to all University students. The Earth Sciences minor provides an opportunity for students to complement their major field of study with foundational knowledge and essential skills in the geosciences.

Students interested in the Earth Science minor should contact matt.davis@unh.edu for more information.

Requirements for the Program

Academic policies related to Minors.

Credit toward the minor will only be given for courses passed with C- or better, and a 2.00 grade-point average must be maintained in courses for the minor.

Courses taken on a pass/fail basis may not be used for a minor.
No more than 8 credits used to satisfy major requirements may be used for the minor.
No more than 2 courses or 8 credits may be from transfer coursework. Any transferred coursework must be approved by the minor coordinator.

For additional details on how to declare a minor, please visit https://www.unh.edu/registrar/academic-records/majors-minors.

The Earth Sciences minor typically is completed with five ESCI courses and may include research credits supervised by an Earth Sciences faculty member.

Courses in the Earth Sciences minor must include both introductory and more advanced ESCI courses. Strongly recommended introductory courses include ESCI 401 Dynamic Earth or ESCI 409 Geology and the Environment (students may not receive credit for both ESCI 401 and ESCI 409) and ESCI 402 Earth History. More advanced courses must include at least one at the 600 or 700 level. Specific courses in the program are selected in consultation with a minor adviser in the Department of Earth Sciences, with flexibility in approved courses to accommodate interests in different aspects of the geosciences.