Geoscience

Course descriptions

Effective for the 2022-23 catalog, the GSCI subject code was changed to ERTH.

Majors in Geoscience focus on the materials, processes, and histories of Earth as a planetary system, with a special emphasis on environmental change at geologic time scales. Interest areas include global change, climate adaptation, water resources, planetary science, tectonics, paleontology and evolution, natural hazards, mineral and energy resources, surface processes, geophysics, and paleoclimatology.

Students may obtain a Bachelor of Science degree or a Bachelor of Arts degree. The Bachelor of Science degree has three tracks.

Bachelor of Science

At least 30 credits of Geoscience courses at the 2000 level and above and at least 12 credits of related courses at the 2000 level and above must be successfully completed for the Bachelor of Science in Geoscience in addition to the college B.S. requirements. Courses cross-listed with Geoscience courses cannot be used to fulfill the related courses requirement.

All Students must complete ERTH 2500, a 2000 level or above ERTH W course, and a concentration listed below. No more than three credits in the major can be from ERTH 4989, 4990, 4991, 4999.

Earth Track

1. All of the following: ERTH 3010, 3030, 3040.
2. At least 15 additional credits of Geoscience courses at the 3000 level and above.

Environment Track

1. All of the following: ERTH 3020, 3030, 3040.
2. Three courses chosen from ERTH 3710, 4130, 4150, 4210, 4230, 4240, 4430, 4440, 4710, 4720, 4735.
3. At least six additional credits of Geoscience courses at the 3000 level and above.

Atmosphere Track

1. ERTH 3010.
2. One course chosen from the following: ERTH 3020, 3030, 3040.
3. Three courses chosen from ERTH 2800, 4150, 4230, 4430, 4810, 4850.
4. At least nine additional credits of Geoscience courses at the 3000 level and above.

Bachelor of Arts

At least 24 credits of Geoscience courses at the 2000 level and above and at least 12 credits of related courses at the 2000 level and above must be successfully completed for the Bachelor of Arts in Geoscience in addition to the college B.A. requirements. Courses cross-listed with Geoscience courses cannot be used to fulfill the related courses requirement.

The requirements include the following:

1. ERTH 2500.
2. A 2000 level or above ERTH W course.
3. Two courses chosen from: ERTH 3010, 3020, 3030, 3040.
4. At least 12 additional credits of Geoscience courses at the 2000 level and above.

No more than three credits can be from ERTH 4989, 4990, 4991, 4999. No more than six credits at the 2000 level can count toward the 24 credit total.

Geoscience majors satisfy the writing in the major and information literacy competency requirements by passing a 2000 level or above ERTH W course.

A minor in Geoscience is described in the Minors section.

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International first-year applicants must complete either the Common Application or Apply Coalition with Scoir. There is no preference in application choice and only one application is required.

Submission of the $80 application fee (non-refundable) is available through the chosen application. Check or money order is also an acceptable form of payment and should be sent to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions directly with the applicant’s name (as seen on the application) and date of birth.