BS in Earth Science

The BS in Earth Science is intended for students who wish to pursue employment in a variety of fields related to the geosciences, including geotechnical, exploration, environmental companies, non-profit consulting companies, geoscience education, and/or government sector. Students commonly go on to pursue graduate study in Earth Science. The emphasis on lab-based hands-on courses is intended to provide a strong foundation in the solid Earth sciences and their practical application, including requirements for professional licensure in many states.

Program Requirements and Policies

  • For the BS degree in Earth Sciences, a total of thirteen (13) courses are required.
  • The Chemistry and Physics courses must be taken with labs.
  • In addition to the course requirements below, the following are strongly recommended:
    CHEM 2, PHY 2 or  PHY 12, MATH 21, MATH 34, research experience, and a six-week summer field camp.

Course Requirements

Students must complete the following ten (10) ECS courses:

  • ECS 1: Introduction to the Earth, Resources, and Environments
  • ECS 2: Introduction to the Earth, Resources, and Environments Lab
  • ECS 3: Introduction to Climate Science
  • ECS 11: Mineralogy and Mineral Resources
  • ECS 12: Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
  • ECS 22: Structural Geology
  • ECS 42: Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
  • One course from:
    • ECS 32: Geomorphology OR
    • ECS 34: Earth Surface Processes OR
    • ECS 115: Quaternary and Glacial Geology
  • Two additional ECS courses, only one of which can be at a lower level than ECS 010, or pre-approved related fields courses.

Students must also complete the following 3 courses:

  • CHEM 1: General Chemistry I w/Lab OR CHEM 11: Expanded General Chemistry I w/Lab
  • PHY 1: Introduction to Physics I w/Lab OR PHY 11: General Physics I w/Lab
  • MATH 32: Calculus I