Nov 09, 2024  
Fitchburg State University 2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
Fitchburg State University 2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Environmental and Earth Science, B.A.


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Environmental, Geographic, and Public Health Sciences


Chairperson
Jiang Yu
Professor
Associate Professor
Assistant Professors

Elizabeth Gordon

Elyse Clark

Jared Vanasse

Jane Huang

Reid Parsons

 
Jiang Yu    
     

Objectives for the Program in Earth and Geographic Sciences

The Environmental, Geographic, and Public Health Sciences department encompasses the disciplines of Earth Science, Geographic Science, and Physics. Students may choose a major in Environmental and Earth 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 Science, Geographic Science and Technology, and Geographic Information Systems. All three disciplines that make up the Earth and Geographic Sciences offer courses that satisfy various requirements of the General Education Program, as well as those of majors in other departments.

Requirements for the Major in Environmental and Earth Science and Geographic Science and Technology

The degrees of Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts in Environmental and Earth Science or Geographic Science and Technology 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.

Environmental and Earth Science


Student Learning Outcomes


Students who earn a major in Environmental and Earth Science will demonstrate a scientific understanding of how the Earth operates as a system and how humans interact with their environment, including natural hazards and use of Earth’s resources.  They will be able to distinguish between science and non-science, back up arguments with quantitative evidence, communicate their ideas effectively, and explain the necessity and characteristics of an interdisciplinary approach to solving environmental issues.

In particular, Environmental and Earth Science students will:

  • communicate scientific information through written, oral, and graphical expression with clarity, logical organization, and use of scientific evidence to support their ideas.
  • use the scientific process, including experimental design, analysis and critical evaluation of information, and integration of evidence from relevant sources, in the context of environmental investigations.
  • discuss the structure and composition of Earth’s interior, surface, and atmosphere, and explain what it means to consider Earth as a system.
  • apply an interdisciplinary approach to analyze and propose solutions to environmental science problems.
  • describe the complex interactions between humans and their environment, including geological hazards, air and water pollution, global environmental issues, and use and conservation of Earth’s resources.

Note:



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

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

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