Earth and Environmental Science—Geoscience-Earth Science, B.A.

This major offers a broad perspective on the different sub-disciplines that comprise the Earth Sciences (Physical Geology, Oceanography, Meteorology, Astronomy and Environmental Science). This track is ideal for K-12 teachers who are enrolled in the dual co-major with Early Childhood, Elementary or Secondary Education or for students with a general interest in Earth Sciences without an education major.

Required
EESC 238Wonders of Weather: The Atmosphere3
EESC 223The Blue Planet: The Oceans3
EESC 135Our Planet Earth: Introduction to Dynamic Earth Processes3
EESC 201Environmental Science for All: Introduction to Environmental Systems and Processes3
EESC 227Hands on Earth: Earth Lab3
EESC 250Plunder: The Race for Natural Resources3
EESC 334Stratigraphy4
BIOL 130Principles Biology I4
CHEM 100Preparation for General Chemistry3
MATH 175Enhanced Precalculus4
or MATH 140 Statistics I
PHYS 101Basic Concepts of Physics3
PHYS 113Introduction to Astronomy3
Earth Science BA electives: Select a minimum of 15 credits from the following list. At least 2 or more courses have to be at the 300+ level
EESC 237Environmental Issues and Policy: Global and Urban Perspectives3
EESC 226Earth 360:Integrated Geography3
EESC 231Water Chronicles3
EESC 235Global Climate Change3
EESC 252GIS I: Contemporary Applications of GIS3
EESC 336Field Methods in Geoscience4
EESC 340Hydrology I3
EESC 348Environmental Geology3
EESC 350GIS II: Contemp Analysis w/GIS3
EESC 410Urban Soil Survey4
EESC 434Earth Surface Processes4
EESC 446Introduction to Geochemistry3
EESC 447Introduction to Geophysics4
EESC 455GIS III: Modeling with GIS3
Plan of Study Grid
Freshman
Semester 1Credits
ENGL 101
English Composition I
or English Composition I for English as a Second Language Students
4-6
MATH 175
Enhanced Precalculus
or Statistics I
4
INTD 101 Orientation to College *First time Freshmen Only 1
EESC 135 Our Planet Earth: Introduction to Dynamic Earth Processes 3
General Education Tier I Course 3
 Credits15-17
Semester 2
ENGL 102
English Composition II
or English Composition 2 ESL
4-6
EESC 201 Environmental Science for All: Introduction to Environmental Systems and Processes 3
EESC 235 Global Climate Change (General Education Tier II Course) 2 3
BIOL 130 Principles Biology I 4
 Credits14-16
Sophomore
Semester 1
EESC 238 Wonders of Weather: The Atmosphere 3
EESC 227 Hands on Earth: Earth Lab 3
EESC 223 The Blue Planet: The Oceans 3
PHYS 101 Basic Concepts of Physics (General Education Tier I Course) 3
General Education Tier I Course 3
 Credits15
Semester 2
EESC 250 Plunder: The Race for Natural Resources 3
EESC 334 Stratigraphy 4
EESC Elective 2XX - 5XX 3-4
CHEM 100 Preparation for General Chemistry 3
General Education Tier I Course 3
 Credits16-17
Junior
Semester 1
EESC Elective 2XX-4XX 3-4
EESC Elective 2XX-4XX 3-4
PHYS 113 Introduction to Astronomy 3
General Education Tier II Course 3
 Credits12-14
Semester 2
EESC Elective 2XX - 5XX 3-4
General Education Tier II Course 3
General Education Tier II Course 3
Minor or Elective Course 3
Minor or Elective Course 3
 Credits15-16
Senior
Semester 1
EESC Elective 2XX - 5XX 3-4
Minor or Elective Course 3
Minor or Elective Course 3
Minor or Elective Course 3
Minor or Elective Course 3
 Credits15-16
Semester 2
General Education Tier III Course 3
Minor or Elective Course 3
Minor or Elective Course 3
Minor or Elective Course 3
Minor or Elective Course 3
 Credits15
 Total Credits117-126
1

The department offers some upper level courses on an even/odd year schedule; therefore there may be variation in this degree map. Please see departmental course sequence.

2

 This recommended course also satisfies a General Education Tier II course requirement for graduation.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Earth/Environmental Science-Earth Sciences BA program, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of geoscience. 
  2. Create and design effective professional oral, poster and written presentations.
  3. Use their quantitative reasoning and/or problem solving skills to interpret and evaluate geological and environmental processes.
  4. Arrange geological and/or environmental data in the field in order to formulate hypotheses and design further investigations.
  5. Produce and assess data using modern technology and instrumental analysis and be able to evaluate the results.