Earth Sciences (BA/BS)

Students in the Department of Earth Sciences learn about the minerals, rocks, soils, and waters that make up the earth, and the processes that shape the earth from deep in its interior to the atmosphere. Earth science applies the basic sciences of physics, biology, chemistry, and mathematics to understanding processes that have shaped the earth and other planetary bodies. Earth scientists combine field investigations with laboratory experiments and theoretical studies to understand the physical, chemical and biological processes that govern the behavior and interactions of complex earth systems.

Earth science applications include natural hazards such as earthquakes, floods, landslides and volcanic eruptions that affect humans. Other subdisciplines investigate how humans alter the earth’s environments, where we pollute rivers and ground water, cause rapid erosion, attempt to re-engineer rivers and shorelines, and alter the earth’s atmosphere, oceans, and global climate. Earth science research also includes the study of the deep earth to understand processes that drive the motions of tectonic plates and generate the earth’s magnetic field.

Environmental Geoscience Track

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate proficiency with modern quantitative tools that are used in the Earth sciences.
• When confronted with real-world Earth science problems, develop and test hypotheses in a systematic way while stating caveats and assumptions.
• Recognize, describe, and quantify dynamic processes that operate on the Earths surface environments, as well as the interaction of humans with these environments. \

 Geology Track

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate proficiency with modern quantitative tools that are used in the Earth sciences.
• When confronted with real-world Earth science problems, develop and test hypotheses in a systematic way while stating caveats and assumptions.
• Use techniques from modern earth science disciplines to solve complex problems across a diversity of scales through time and space that require consistent geological reasoning.

Geophysics Track

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate proficiency with modern quantitative tools that are used in the Earth Sciences.
• When confronted with real-world Earth science problems, develop and test hypotheses in a systematic way while stating caveats and assumptions.
• Develop a foundation in mathematics and physics that enables them to quantitatively describe key aspects of fundamental Earth processes.

Paleontology Track

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate proficiency with modern quantitative tools that are used in the Earth sciences.
• When confronted with real-world Earth science problems, develop and test hypotheses in a systematic way while stating caveats and assumptions.
• Demonstrate proficiency with the tools and techniques necessary to recognize geological evidence and reconstruct geological history for biological processes that have driven the evolution of life, as preserved in fossils extracted from ancient rocks.

• Geology
• Geophysics
• Environmental Geoscience
• Paleontology

Earth Sciences Major - Geology Track

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The 200-level sequence is recommended for majors; however, the 100-level sequence may be substituted if the courses are passed with grades of mid-B or better.

Electives

Earth Sciences Major - Geophysics Track

Electives

Earth Sciences Major - Environmental Geoscience Track

¹

The 200-level sequence is recommended for majors; however, the 100-level sequence may be substituted if the courses are passed with grades of mid-B or better.

Electives

Earth Sciences - Paleontology Track

¹

The 200-level sequence is recommended for majors; however, the 100-level sequence may be substituted if the courses are passed with grades of mid-B or better.

Electives

Undergraduate Research

As many as 4 credits of research can be counted toward electives in any of the tracks. To receive such credit, students must

• submit a short letter, approved by the faculty research advisor and addressed to the head undergraduate advisor in earth sciences, stating the nature of the research and asserting that there is faculty supervision
• submit a final written report to the faculty advisor describing the results of the research

Students may earn credit in this category by registering for any of the following:

Students who complete an honors thesis may not apply this option toward elective credits.

Grade Options and Standards

Undergraduate majors must take for letter grades (the pass/no pass option is not acceptable) all the courses required in their degree program. Required courses must be completed with grades of C– or better. Exceptions for honors students are noted under Honors in Earth Sciences.

Honors in Earth Sciences

Application for graduation with honors in earth sciences must be made no later than spring term of the student’s junior year. To be eligible for graduation with honors, a student must

• maintain a grade point average (GPA) of 3.50 or better in geological sciences courses or a 3.00 or better in all science courses
• submit and orally present an acceptable honors thesis written under the supervision of a department faculty member and evaluated by a committee consisting of three faculty members including the supervisor. The thesis should be presented no later than three weeks before final examinations during the term the student plans to graduate

Honors students may register for 3 credits of Research: [Topic] (ERTH 401) the term before they intend to graduate, and 3 credits of Thesis (ERTH 403) the term of graduation. These credits may be applied toward electives.

Four-Year Degree Plan

The degree plan shown is only a sample of how students may complete their degrees in four years. There are alternative ways. Students should consult their advisor to determine the best path for them.

• Geology Track
• Geophysics Track
• Environmental Geoscience Track
• Paleontology Track

Bachelor of Science in Earth Sciences: Geology Track

Bachelor of Science in Earth Sciences: Geophysics Track

Bachelor of Science in Earth Sciences: Environmental Geoscience Track

Bachelor of Science in Earth Sciences: Paleontology Track