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The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences offers flexibility to students interested in the Earth and environmental sciences by providing two distinct curriculum tracks: B.S. in Earth and Environmental Sciences, and B.A. in Earth and Environmental Sciences. There is also flexibility within each track.

This track is designed for students interested primarily in environmental science with a goal toward advanced degrees or a professional career in the environmental sciences.

Candidates for the B.S. in Earth and Environmental Sciences must take the following courses

This track is designed for students interested in the environment that might wish to couple this major with a major in the humanities or social sciences.

Candidates for the B.A. in Earth and Environmental Sciences must take the following courses

General Education Requirement (one of the following)

• EES 11 (Earth Systems)
• EES 16 (Earth Systems History)
• EES 18 (Oceanography)

Core Courses

• EES 32 (Mineralogy/Petrology I)

at least six more courses in the department

• EES 21 (Environmental Science)
• EES 24 (Intro. to Geographic Information Systems),
• EES 25 (Remote Sensing of the Environment),
• EES 26 (Surficial Processes),
• EES 35 (Mineralogy and Petrology II),
• EES 36 (Structure),
• EES 40 (Paleontology),
• EES 41 (Sedimentation and Sedimentary Petrology),
• EES 42 (Stratigraphy),
• EES 43 (Environmental Systems),
• EES 44 (Optical Mineralogy),
• EES 45 (Hydrogeology) or EES 48 (Watershed Hydrology),
• EES 46 (Igneous and Metaorphic Petrology),
• EES 47 (Engineering Geology),
• EES 48 (Watershed Hydrology),
• EES 50 (Ore Deposits),
• EES 52 (Geochemistry),
• EES 54 (Petroleum Geology),
• EES 55 (Marine Geology),
• EES 56 (Regional Tectonics),
• EES 59 (Field Study of Regional Geology),
• EES 75 (Seminar in Earth and Environmental Sciences),
• EES 80 (Directed Independent Study),
• EES 85 (Research in Earth and Environmental Sciences),
• EES 95 (Special Topics in Earth and Environmental Sciences)

In addition there are specific suggestions for humanities and social science General Education requirements; consult with the department chair.

Students anticipating graduate study and professional work in earth and environmental sciences should obtain the B.S. degree. The following are also recommended: BIO-40, CHM-21, MTH-12 and PHY-11.

Students interested in the environment, but not wishing to major in the sciences may complete the Environmental Studies Concentration; consult the Interdisciplinary section of the Course Catalog for more information. Earth and Environmental Sciences majors may also fulfill the requirements for the Environmental Studies Concentration.

General Education Requirement (one of the following)

• EES 11 (Earth Systems)
• EES 16 (Earth Systems History)
• EES 18 (Oceanography)
• EES 21 (Environmental Science)

Core Courses

• EES 32 (Mineralogy/Petrology I),
• EES 85 (Research)

• Chemistry 11 (Foundations of Chemistry I - Principles),
• Chemistry 12 (Foundations of Chemistry II - Inorganic),

at least seven more courses in the department.

• EES 24 (Intro. to Geographic Information Systems),
• EES 25 (Remote Sensing of the Environment),
• EES 26 (Surficial Processes),
• EES 35 (Mineralogy and Petrology II),
• EES 36 (Structure),
• EES 40 (Paleontology),
• EES 41 (Sedimentation and Sedimentary Petrology),
• EES 42 (Stratigraphy),
• EES 43 (Environmental Systems),
• EES 44 (Optical Mineralogy),
• EES 45 (Hydrogeology) or EES 48 (Watershed Hydrology),
• EES 46 (Igneous and Metaorphic Petrology),
• EES 47 (Engineering Geology),
• EES 48 (Watershed Hydrology),
• EES 50 (Ore Deposits),
• EES 52 (Geochemistry),
• EES 54 (Petroleum Geology),
• EES 55 (Marine Geology),
• EES 56 (Regional Tectonics),
• EES 59 (Field Study of Regional Geology),
• EES 75 (Seminar in Earth and Environmental Sciences),
• EES 80 (Directed Independent Study),
• EES 95 (Special Topics in Earth and Environmental Sciences)

In addition there are specific suggestions for humanities and social science General Education requirements; consult with the department chair.