Updated: Feb. 2022
Bachelor of Science in Geology
Introductory 2-course Sequence (8 credits):
first course: EAR 105 and 104 Dynamic Earth, or EAR 203 Earth Systems
second course: EAR 210 History of Earth Life
Cognate Sciences and Mathematics (22-24 credits):
Calculus I (MAT 285 or 295) Calculus II (MAT 286 or 296)
Chemistry (CHE) 106 and 107 Chemistry (CHE) 116 and 117
Physics (PHY) 211 and 221 Physics (PHY) 212 and 222
Introduction to skills set (4 credits):
EAR 201 Introduction to Data Analysis (2 credits)
EAR 204 Introduction to Field Methods (2 credits)
New courses, co-taught, half-semester each, offered back-to-back in the spring through Maymester
Geology Core (15 credits)
EAR 314 Mineralogy
EAR 317 Sedimentary Processes and Systems
EAR 333 Structural Geology
EAR 417 Geochemistry
Divisions of Earth Science - Choose one from each block (12-15 credits):
Solid Earth EAR 418 Petrology EAR 435 Geophysics EAR 431 Plate Tectonics EAR 403 Geomorphology | Water Science EAR 401 Hydrogeology EAR 413 Physical Hydrology EAR 419 Environmental Aqueous Geochemistry EAR 311 Environmental Geophysics |
Ancient Climates and Ecosystems EAR 325 Paleobiology** EAR 405 Global Change: Geologic Record EAR 4xx Environmental Reconstruction EAR 415 Introduction to Climate Dynamics | Quantitative Skills EAR 410 GIS in the Earth Sciences EAR 402 Numerical Methods EAR 4xx Statistics in Earth and Environmental Science EAR 422 Applications of Electron Probe Microanalysis |
All offered at least once in a 2-year cycle; ** Writing Intensive class for the Liberal Arts Core
Approved EAR, computer science, mathematics, statistics, or other class may be substituted by petition
Field Experience (4-6 credits):
EAR 470 (transfer credit; a list of approved field programs will be provided)
Department Colloquium (1 credit)
EAR 483, taken in junior or senior year
Electives (3 credits):
Any lower or upper-division EAR or approved auxiliary science or math course(s)
Total of 69-76 credits out of 120 needed to graduate of which 32-40 satisfy upper-division credits of 30 need for BS
(current total BS is 72-74 credits)
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Geosciences
Introductory 2-course Sequence (8 credits):
first course: EAR 105 and 104 Dynamic Earth, or EAR 203 Earth Systems
second course: EAR 210 History of Earth Life
Cognate Sciences and Mathematics (22-24 credits):
Mathematics I (MAT) 285 or 295 Mathematics II (MAT) 286 or 296 or 221
Chemistry (CHE) 106 and 107 Chemistry (CHE) 116 and 117
Biology (BIO) 121 Physics (PHY) 211 and 221
Introduction to skills set (4 credits):
EAR 201 Introduction to Data Analysis (2 credits)
EAR 204 Introduction to Field Methods (2 credits)
New courses, co-taught, half-semester each, offered back-to-back in the spring through Maymester
Environmental Geosciences Core (13 credits)
EAR 317 Sedimentary Processes and Systems
EAR 419 Environmental Aqueous Geochemistry
EAR 417 Geochemistry or BIO 345 Ecology & Evolution
EAR 401 Hydrogeology or EAR 413 Physical Hydrology
Divisions of Environmental Earth Science - Choose one from each block (9-10 credits; no duplication with core)
Environmental Data Analysis EAR 311 Environmental Geophysics EAR 410 GIS in the Earth Sciences EAR 402 Numerical Methods EAR 4xx Statistics in Earth and Environmental Science | Surface Processes EAR 401 Hydrogeology EAR 413 Physical Hydrology EAR 408 Sedimentary Basin Analysis | Climate and Energy EAR 305 Earth Science of Energy EAR 405 Global Change: Geologic Record EAR 4xx Environmental Reconstruction EAR 415 Introduction to Climate Dynamics |
All offered at least once in a 2-year cycle
Approved EAR, computer science, mathematics, statistics, or other class may be substituted by petition
Department Colloquium (1 credit)
EAR 483, taken in junior or senior year
Electives (7 credits):
Any upper division EAR or approved auxiliary science or math courses
Total of 64-67 credits out of 120 needed to graduate; 30-31 upper division credits of 30 needed for BS
(current total BS-ENV 67-69 credits which included field camp)
Bachelor of Arts in Earth Sciences
Introductory 2-course Sequence (8 credits):
first course: EAR 105 and 104 Dynamic Earth, or EAR 203 Earth Systems
second course: EAR 210 History of Earth Life
Cognate Sciences and Mathematics (7-8 credits):
Chemistry (CHE) 106 and 107
Mathematics (MAT 193 or above)
Introduction to Data Analysis (EAR 201) (2 credits)
New course, co-taught, half-semester in the spring
Divisions of Earth Science - Choose 4 courses spanning at least two of the following blocks, with appropriate prerequisites (12-16 credits):
Fundamentals of Geology EAR 314 Mineralogy EAR 317 Sedimentary Processes and Systems EAR 333 Structural Geology EAR 417 Geochemistry | Solid Earth EAR 418 Petrology EAR 435 Geophysics EAR 403 Geomorphology EAR 431 Plate Tectonics |
Ancient Climates and Ecosystems EAR 325 Paleobiology** EAR 405 Global Change the Geologic Record EAR 414 The Holocene: Climate and Environmental Change EAR 415 Introduction to Climate Dynamics | Water Science EAR 311 Environmental Geophysics EAR 401 Hydrogeology EAR 413 Physical Hydrology EAR 419 Environmental Aqueous Geochemistry |
All offered at least once in a 2-year cycle; ** Writing Intensive class for the Liberal Arts Core
Approved EAR or other relevant courses by petition may be used
Electives (6 credits):
Any lower or upper-division EAR or approved auxiliary science or math courses.
Total of 35-40 credits out of 120 needed to graduate; 12-22 upper-division credits of 12 needed for BA.
(current total BA 33-34 credits)
Minor in Earth Sciences
Introductory 2-course Sequence (8 credits):
first course: EAR 105 and 104 Dynamic Earth, or EAR 203 Earth Systems
second course: EAR 210 History of Earth and Life
Choice of any EAR upper division courses to total 12 credits, with appropriate prerequisites
Total of 20 credits out of 18 needed for a Minor; 12 upper-division credits of 12 needed for Minor.
(current Minor 18-19)