Earth Systems Science, B.S.

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Earth and Geographic Sciences

Chairperson

Elizabeth Gordon

Professor	Associate Professor	Assistant Professors
Jiang Yu	Bruce Duncan	Reid Parsons
	Elizabeth Gordon
	Lawrence R. Guth
	Jane Huang

Objectives for the Program in Earth and Geographic Sciences

The Earth and Geographic Sciences department encompasses the disciplines of Earth Science, Geographic Science, and Physics. A major concentration of study may be chosen in Earth Systems Science or Geographic Science and Technology. In both fields, successful students pursue courses of instruction and are supported in undertaking internship experiences which prepare them for entry into the job market or for acceptance to graduate school. Minors are offered in Earth Systems Science, Geographic Science and Technology, and Geographic Information Systems. In addition, there is an interdisciplinary minor in GIS (Geographic Information System). All three disciplines which make up the Earth and Geographic Sciences offer courses that satisfy various requirements of the Liberal Arts and Sciences Program, as well as those of majors in other departments.

Requirements for the Major in Geographic Science and Technology/Earth Systems Science

The degrees of Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts in Geographic Science and Technology or Earth Systems Science each require a minimum of 36 semester hours of coursework. Bachelor of Arts students are required to have foreign language proficiency at the intermediate level.

Earth Systems Science Major

Core Requirements

GEOG 1000 - Earth Systems Science 3 cr.
GEOG 2100 - Geology 3 cr.
GEOG 2200 - Meteorology 3 cr.
GEOG 2500 - Oceanography 3 cr.
GEOG 2800 - Map Use 3 cr.
GEOG 4000 - Geographic Information System 3 cr. *

An additional six courses would be required for the major, chosen in consultation with a student’s advisor.

Six courses as chosen from the following:

GEOG 2000 - Astronomy 3 cr. or
PHYS 2000 - Astronomy 3 cr.
GEOG 3110 - Climatology 3 cr.
GEOG 2400 - Introduction to Geospatial Technologies 3 cr.
GEOG 3250 - Introduction to Historical Geology 3 cr. **
GEOG 3270 - Common Rocks and Minerals 3 cr. **
GEOG 4110 - Planetary Science 3 cr.
GEOG 4200 - Geomorphology 3 cr.
**
GEOG 4220 - Structural Geology 3 cr. **
GEOG 4500 - Remote Sensing of the Environment 3 cr.
GEOG 4600 - Environmental Hydrogeology 3 cr. **
GEOG 4700 - Geographic Perspectives on Conservation 3 cr.
GEOG 3120 - Computer Cartography 3 cr.
GEOG 4900 - Independent Study in Geography 1, 2, 3 cr.
GEOG 4940 - Internship in Geography 3 cr.
GEOG 4950 - Internship in Geography 6 cr. or
GEOG 4960 - Internship in Geography 12 cr.

Required Cognate Courses for Earth Systems Science Majors

(to be taken as part of Liberal Arts and Sciences distribution and free electives):

BIOL 2300 - Ecology 4 cr.
CHEM 1300 - General Chemistry I 4 cr.
CHEM 1400 - General Chemistry II 4 cr.
PHYS 2300 - General Physics I 4 cr. and
PHYS 2400 - General Physics II 4 cr.
Mathematics (MATH 1300 or above) 6 cr.

Recommended cognate courses for students interested in soil remediation:

Organic Chemistry I and II. 4 cr. each

Note:

* GEOG 4000 meets the Computer Literacy requirement for Geographic Science and Technology and Earth Systems Science.

** GEOG 3250 , GEOG 3270 , GEOG 4200 , GEOG 4220 and GEOG 4600 meets the Speaking/Listening and Jr/Sr Writing requirement for Earth Systems Science.

*** GEOG 1100 meets the Speaking/Listening requirement and GEOG 3400 or GEOG 4700 meets the Jr/Sr Writing requirement for Geographic Science and Technology.