B.S. in Geoscience - Earth Systems Concentration

Program Overview

The Earth Systems Concentration in Geoscience at this university provides a comprehensive understanding of Earth's systems, including geology, paleontology, geomorphology, and environmental geochemistry. Students develop a strong foundation in science, mathematics, and communication, preparing them for careers in geoscience, environmental science, and related fields. The program offers a variety of elective courses, including advanced topics in astronomy, oceanography, and geophysics, allowing students to tailor their studies to their interests.

Program Outline

Outline:

• Earth Systems Concentration
• Curriculum
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• General Education Requirements
• Academic Foundations
• First Year Experience requirement (4 credits)
• English Composition requirement (6-7 credits)
• Mathematics requirement (3-4 credits)
• Interdisciplinary requirement (3 credits)
• Diverse Communities requirement (3 credits)
• Ethics requirement (3 credits)
• Distributed Disciplinary Foundations
• Science requirement (6-8 credits)
• Behavioral & Social Science requirement (6 credits)
• Humanities requirement (6 credits)
• Arts requirement (3 credits)
• Additional Baccalaureate Requirements
• University Requirements
• Writing Emphasis requirement (9 credits)
• Speaking Emphasis requirement (9 credits)
• Degree Requirements
• Capstone requirement (1-15 credits)
• Major Requirements
• Major Core Courses
• ESS 101 Introduction to Geology (3 credits)
• ESS 201 Field Geology (3 credits)
• ESS 204 Historical Geology (3 credits)
• ESS 301 Environmental Geochemistry (3 credits)
• ESS 302 Mineralogy (3 credits)
• ESS 331 Introduction to Paleontology (3 credits)
• ESS 343 Geomorphology (3 credits)
• ESS 405 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology (3 credits)
• ESS 420 Structural Geology (3 credits)
• ESS 439 Hydrogeology (3 credits)
• ESS 450 Sedimentation & Stratigraphy (3 credits)
• Other Required Courses
• BIO 110 General Biology I (4 credits)
• MAT 115 Algebra, Functions, and Trigonometry (3 credits)
• or MAT 131 Precalculus (3 credits)
• or MAT 143 Brief Calculus (3 credits)
• or MAT 145 Calculus for the Life Sciences (3 credits)
• or MAT 161 Calculus I (3 credits)
• MAT 121 Introduction to Statistics I (3 credits)
• CHE 103 General Chemistry I (3 credits)
• CRL 103 General Chemistry I Lab (1 credit)
• PHY 130 General Physics I (4 credits)
• or PHY 170 Physics I (3 credits)
• ESS/SCB/ENV 102 Humans and the Environment (3 credits)
• or SCB 210 The Origin of Life and the Universe (3 credits)
• ESS 311 Introduction to Astronomy (3 credits)
• ESS 330 Introduction to Oceanography (3 credits)
• ESS 370 Introduction to Meteorology (3 credits)
• ESS 347 Earth & Space Science Seminar (1 credit)
• ESS 447 Earth and Space Science Seminar (1 credit)
• Capstone Requirement
• ESS 499 The Professional Geoscientist (13 credits)
• Earth and Space Science Electives
• Select any two ESS courses at the 300 or 400 level (6 credits)
• Select other 200-400 level ESS electives to reach 120 credits
• A grade of C- or better must be achieved for all required courses within the department including the required electives, as well as those in biology, chemistry, math, and physics.
• Total Minimum Credits Required: 120
• Accelerated B.S.
in Geoscience - Earth Systems Concentration to M.S. in Geoscience Program
• Any junior Geoscience-Earth Systems student with a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher may substitute up to 9 graduate credits to satisfy the B.S.
program.
• Elective Courses:
• ESS 507 Geology of the Solar System (3 credits)
• ESS 532 Advanced Oceanography (3 credits)
• ESS 535 Remote Sensing (3 credits)
• ESS 542 Geophysics (3 credits)
• ESS 544 Geomorphology II (3 credits)
• ESS 548 International Geology Field Studies (3 credits)
• ESS 549 Advanced Hydrogeology (3 credits)
• ESS 555 Intermediate Astronomy (3 credits)
• ESS 562 History of Astronomy (3 credits)
• ESS 571 Advanced Meteorology (3 credits)
• ESS 580 Special Problems (3 credits)
• ESS 590 Fundamentals of Soil (3 credits)
• ESS 591 Independent Study (3 credits)
• ESS 594 Geology of Northwestern National Parks (3 credits)