Bachelor of Science in Earth Sciences

The Bachelor of Science in Earth Sciences provides students with a foundation in mathematics, physics, and chemistry; a broad background in the Earth Sciences; an understanding of how Earth’s systems are linked; depth of knowledge in one of three areas of Earth sciences; and strong quantitative, communication, and field skills. The B.S. degree is excellent preparation for professional employment and/or graduate study in one of the Earth sciences. Students in the B.S. take a common core of classes and choose one of three areas of emphasis, where they get in-depth training in an area of specialization: Geology; Hydrology; or Ocean, Weather, and Climate. The Geology emphasis provides fundamental skills and knowledge applied to understand processes in the solid Earth, and extensive experience conducting investigations in the field (that is, outdoors). The Hydrology emphasis draws from a broader range of Earth sciences to understand and solve environmental problems of water in Earth’s systems and provides extensive hands-on lab and field work. In the Ocean, Weather, and Climate emphasis, students learn to describe the structure and behavior of the oceans and atmosphere and to apply concepts of mathematics, physics, and chemistry to understand and solve problems about how physical processes in the ocean and atmosphere create weather and climate and how climate can change. The Bachelor of Arts in Earth Sciences program provides a flexible, integrated framework within which students can prepare to teach Earth Sciences in K-12 schools or for careers in museums, parks, governmental or private non-profit environmental or planning agencies, and other organizations where broad knowledge of Earth sciences would be valued. The Minor in Earth Sciences provides a flexible opportunity to complement a wide variety of other majors. The Bachelor of Arts in Earth Sciences program builds a solid conceptual foundation of basic physical sciences, mathematics, and Earth sciences. Students integrate knowledge of these separate disciplines in ways needed to understand and help solve important interdisciplinary problems, such as slowing and adapting to climate change and managing conflicting demands that humans make on the natural environment. It also prepares students to advise and educate others about issues requiring knowledge of how the Earth works. Beyond the basic foundation, students have great flexibility to adapt the program to satisfy many possible interests in the Earth sciences and prepare for a variety of careers. Some career possibilities include: High school and middle school science teaching. Technical support for firms engaged in environmental engineering, environmental monitoring and protection, natural resource analysis and management, hazardous materials and ecological remediation, computer mapping, etc. Technical support to city, county, state, and other governmental agencies charged with land use and other planning. Preparation for graduate education in such fields as resource management, environmental public policy, and environmental law. Science writing, editing, and librarianship. Interpretation for park systems, nature centers, museums, and other areas requiring natural science field skills and natural history communication skills. Prospective majors are encouraged to consult with a departmental advisor to learn about graduation requirements and to plan a program adapted to their particular interests. Students interested in preparing to teach high school or middle school earth sciences and integrated science should consult with the geosciences single-subject subject-matter advisor.