This major prepares students to pursue a broad range of careers ranging from leadership positions in environmental policy analysis to professional positions in the forefront of modern research in environmental sciences. Geoscientists are increasingly challenged to provide humanity with the knowledge base necessary to maintain the Earth as a habitable planet. This challenge makes it an exciting time to study the geosciences and to pursue a career in which you will participate in finding solutions to the environmental problems that we face in the 21st century. The Environmental Geoscience major provides you with the foundation in geoscience necessary to address these issues, whether it be as a scientist investigating the underlying Earth processes or as a the future leader in addressing the public policy aspects of these challenges. Environmental Geoscience majors should work out their programs closely with a departmental advisor to insure both breadth and depth in their subject area.
Students majoring in Environmental Geoscience need to complete the following course requirements:
A total of ten (10) courses in the Department of Geology and Geophysics, no more than four (4) of which may be at the 100 level.
A. These courses must include the following
· Environmental Geosciences (GE 167)
· Exploring the Earth I (GE 132)
· Earth Materials (GE 220)
· Environmental Geology (GE 250)
Note: GE 180 may substitute for GE 132, but laboratory 133 would need to be taken.
B. Four (4) courses from among the following, with no more than two (2) at the 100-level:
· Geology of National Parks (GE 110)
· Exploring the Earth II (GE 134)
· Oceanography (GE 157)
· Environmental Geosciences II (GE 168)
· Rivers and the Environment (GE170)
· Weather, Climate and Environment (GE 172)
· Climate Change and Society (GE 174)
· Geosciences and Public Policy (GE 187)
· Introduction to Geochemistry (GE 230)
· Stratigraphy and Sedimentation (GE 264)
· Introduction to Structural Geology (GE 285)
· Geology Field Mapping and Methods (GE 288)
· Environmental Hydrology (GE 297)
· Topics in Geobiology (GE 335)
· Paleoclimatology (GE 360)
· Petrology I (GE 372)
· Petrology II (GE 374)
· Environmental Oceanography (GE 380)
· Statistical Analysis of Scientific Data (GE 398)
· Watershed Geomorphology (GE 400)
· Site Characterization… Hazardous Waste Sites (GE 410)
· Global Biogeochemical Cycles (GE 440)
· Environmental Contaminants (GE 457)
· Applications of GIS (GE 480)
· Isotope Applications in Earth Sciences (GE 512)
· Estuarine Studies (GE 518)
· Marine Geology (GE 530)
· Costal Processes (GE 535)
· Plate Tectonics/ Mountain Belts (GE 543)
· Geophysical Data Processing (GE 572)
C. Two (2) elective courses:
These electives may include courses in the Department numbered 300 or above, to be chosen by the student with their advisor, or they may include courses from outside the Department, approved by the departmental Undergraduate Program Committee, such as: Environmental Biology (BI 401), Coastal Field Ecology (BI 443), Environmental Economics (EC 278), or Environmental Law (PO 270).
D. A full year (two semesters) of another laboratory science in Chemistry (CH 109-110 w/ lab CH 111-112), Physics (PH 211-212 w/ lab PH 203-204), or Biology (BI 200-202 w lab BI 210-211)
Other Options for Environmental Geoscience Majors
Students are encouraged to take additional courses in Mathematics (Calculus), Chemistry, Physics and Biology. Therefore, one semester of a laboratory science in addition to the above requirement, or Multivariable Calculus (MT 202) may be counted as an elective.
Other courses in the University pertinent to the Environmental Geosciences major may be substituted for the above requirements upon petition to, and approval by, the department Undergraduate Program Committee.
A geology or geophysics summer field course may be substituted for one of the courses above. A file of summer field course programs is kept in the department office.
Information for First Tear Environmental Geoscience Majors
For students who would like to explore the major in Environmental Geosciences, it is suggested that Environmental Geosciences I (GE 167) be taken during the first year and that Exploring the Earth I (GE 132) be taken during the second year. Environmental Geosciences I and II will satisfy the Core requirement in Natural Sciences.
For example, Environmental Geoscience Majors might take the following courses:
· Environmental Geosciences I (GE 167), fall semester, first year.
· Exploring the Earth I (GE 132) may be taken either freshman or sophomore year.
· The laboratory science requirement may be taken either freshmen or sophomore year.