Geosciences and Society: Science Communication Emphasis

Program Overview

The Geosciences and Society program with a Science Communication Emphasis prepares students for careers in science communication, environmental consulting, and other fields. The program combines a strong foundation in geosciences with areas in social sciences, emphasizing science communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Graduates will be qualified to promote and communicate an understanding of urgent issues such as protecting water resources, natural hazards, and climate change.

Program Outline

Outline:

• First Year:
• 1st Semester:
• Introduction to Geosciences (GEOS 251)
• Mathematics (MATH 163 or 263)
• First Year Writing 1 (ENGL 101)
• Introduction to the General Education Experience (Entry Course)
• Exploring Perspectives (GE Core)
• 2nd Semester:
• Chemistry I or Physics I
• Earth Processes (GEOS 255 or 260)
• Second Semester Second Language (GE Foundation)
• First Year Writing 2 (ENGL 102)
• Exploring Perspectives (GE Core)
• Second Year:
• 3rd Semester:
• Geodinamics (GEOS 342 or 346)
• Additional Math
• Exploring Perspectives (GE Core)
• Exploring Perspectives (GE Core)
• Free Elective
• 4th Semester:
• Earth History (GEOS 300)
• Geoscience Field Methods (GEOS 412A)
• Second Semester Fourth Language (GE Foundation)
• Building Connections (GE Core)
• Science Communication Emphasis Course
• Third Year:
• 5th Semester:
• Geohazards and Society (GEOS 478)
• Theme I
• Exploring Perspectives (GE Core)
• Third Semester Third Language (GE Foundation)
• Science Communication Emphasis Course
• 6th Semester:
• Additional Science Electives
• Building Connections (GE Core)
• Science Communication Emphasis Course
• Fourth Semester Fourth Language (GE Foundation)
• Fourth Year:
• 7th Semester:
• Science Communication Emphasis Course
• Additional Science Electives
• Free Elective
• Free Elective
• Free Elective
• 8th Semester:
• General Education Portfolio (Exit Course)
• Upper Division Elective
• Upper Division Elective
• Upper Division Elective
• Upper Division Elective

Careers:

Graduates will be qualified for careers in:

• Science communication
• Environmental consulting
• Policy analysis
• Public relations
• Education
• Research

Other:

• The program is designed to prepare students for careers that promote and communicate an understanding of, and create evidence-based solutions to, urgent issues such as protecting water resources, natural hazards to communities, degradation of important biomes, and the impacts of climate change.
• Students will develop strong foundational understanding of geosciences combined with areas in social sciences.
• The program emphasizes science communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.