Earth and Environmental Science—Geoscience-Geology, B.S.
The major in geology is a field-based, multi-disciplinary course of study that integrates the principles of chemistry, physics, and mathematics in the study of Earth processes and history. Completion of this major prepares one for a technical career as a geologist or environmental consultant. Continued study may include a master’s or PhD degree in Geology or Environmental Science.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| EESC 135 | Our Planet Earth: Introduction to Dynamic Earth Processes | 3 |
| EESC 227 | Hands on Earth: Earth Lab | 3 |
| EESC 250 | Plunder: The Race for Natural Resources | 3 |
| EESC 317 | Structural Geology | 4 |
| or EESC 447 | Introduction to Geophysics | |
| EESC 334 | Stratigraphy | 4 |
| EESC 336 | Field Methods in Geoscience | 4 |
| EESC 348 | Environmental Geology | 3 |
| CHEM 105 & CHEM 1105 | General Chemistry I Lecture and General Chemistry I Recitation/Laboratory | 5 |
| CHEM 106 & CHEM 1106 | General Chemistry II Lecture and General Chemistry II Recitation/Laboratory | 5 |
| PHYS 130 & PHYS 1130 | College Physics I (Lecture) and Physics I Recitation & Laboratory | 4 |
| PHYS 131 & PHYS 1131 | Physics II (Lecture) and Physics II Recitation & Laboratory | 4 |
| MATH 192 | Calculus and Analytic Geometry I | 4 |
| MATH 193 | Calculus and Analytic Geometry II | 4 |
| or MATH 140 | Statistics I | |
| Electives: Select a minimum of 12 credits from Earth and Environmental Science courses numbered 200 or higher. The following courses are especially recommended: | ||
| EESC 223 | The Blue Planet: The Oceans | 3 |
| EESC 235 | Global Climate Change | 3 |
| EESC 241 | Historical Geology | 4 |
| EESC 252 | GIS I: Contemporary Applications of GIS | 3 |
| EESC 340 | Hydrology I | 3 |
| EESC 349 | Introduction Hazmat Field Techniques | 4 |
| EESC 350 | GIS II: Contemp Analysis w/GIS | 3 |
| EESC 410 | Urban Soil Survey | 4 |
| EESC 434 | Earth Surface Processes | 4 |
| EESC 446 | Introduction to Geochemistry | 3 |
| EESC 455 | GIS III: Modeling with GIS | 3 |
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Credits | |
| ENGL 101 or ESL 101 | English Composition I or English Composition I for English as a Second Language Students | 4-6 |
| MATH 192 | Calculus and Analytic Geometry I | 4 |
| EESC 135 | Our Planet Earth: Introduction to Dynamic Earth Processes | 3 |
| CHEM 105 & CHEM 1105 | General Chemistry I Lecture and General Chemistry I Recitation/Laboratory | 5 |
| INTD 101 | Orientation to College *First time Freshmen Only | 1 |
| Credits | 17-19 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| ENGL 102 or ESL 102 | English Composition II or English Composition 2 ESL | 4-6 |
| MATH 193 or MATH 140 | Calculus and Analytic Geometry II or Statistics I | 3-4 |
| CHEM 106 & CHEM 1106 | General Chemistry II Lecture and General Chemistry II Recitation/Laboratory | 5 |
| EESC 227 | Hands on Earth: Earth Lab | 3 |
| Credits | 15-18 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| EESC 348 | Environmental Geology | 3 |
| PHYS 130 or PHYS 140 | College Physics I (Lecture) or Principles of Physics I - Lecture | 3 |
| PHYS 1130 or PHYS 1140 | Physics I Recitation & Laboratory or Principles of Physics I - Laboratory and recitation | 1 |
| General Education Tier I Course | 3 | |
| General Education Tier I Course | 3 | |
| General Education Tier II Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| EESC 250 | Plunder: The Race for Natural Resources | 3 |
| EESC 2XX - 4XX Elective Course | 3-4 | |
| PHYS 131 or PHYS 141 | Physics II (Lecture) or Principles of Physics II - Lecture | 3 |
| PHYS 1131 or PHYS 1141 | Physics II Recitation & Laboratory or Principles of Physics II - Laboratory and Recitation | 1 |
| General Education Tier I Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 13-14 | |
| Junior | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| EESC 317 or EESC 447 | Structural Geology or Introduction to Geophysics | 4 |
| EESC 334 | Stratigraphy | 4 |
| General Education Tier I Course | 3 | |
| General Education Tier II Course | 3 | |
| General Education Tier II Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| EESC 336 | Field Methods in Geoscience | 4 |
| EESC 2XX - 4XX Elective Course | 3-4 | |
| EESC 2XX - 4XX Elective Course | 3-4 | |
| General Education Tier II | 3 | |
| General Education Tier II | 3 | |
| Credits | 16-18 | |
| Senior | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| EESC 2XX-4XX Elective Course | 3-4 | |
| General Education Tier III Course | 3 | |
| Elective or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Elective or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Elective or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 15-16 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| EESC 2XX-4XX Elective Course | 3-4 | |
| EESC 2XX-4XX Elective Course | 3-4 | |
| Elective or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Elective or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 12-14 | |
| Total Credits | 121-132 | |
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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.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Earth/Environmental Science-Geology BS program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of geoscience.
- Create and design effective professional oral, poster and written presentations.
- Use their quantitative reasoning and/or problem solving skills to interpret and evaluate geological and environmental processes.
- Arrange geological and/or environmental data in the field in order to formulate hypotheses and design further investigations.
- Produce and assess data using modern technology and instrumental analysis and be able to evaluate the results.