Geosciences Concentrations
Geoscience is a unique blend of lab experiments, field observation, data analysis, and computer modeling. Courses in geosciences apply principles of biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics to real Earth problems, deal with length scales from global to atomic, and consider time scales from billions of years to less than a second. The flexible academic program allows students to develop individualized courses of study.
Prerequisite: (See table below)
1a) Three prerequisite requirements for entering the concentration (MAT 104 or AP credit, COS 126 or SML 201, and either GEO 202 or GEO 203). Students should elect GEO 202 or GEO 203 with an eye toward their likely track of study. Students who need to take the other course for their specialization may count the course used as a prerequisite as an elective (in #5, below).
1b) With permission of the Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS), a student can substitute GEO 102 or GEO 103, a Geosciences Freshman Seminar, or certain Geosciences 300/400 level courses for GEO 202 or GEO 203.
General Requirements:
The following courses are required for graduation (with at most one pass/D/fail). AP credit may be used to place into a more advanced math or science course.
2) One statistics requirement, to be completed by the end of the junior year (GEO 422 or ORF 245).
3) Four required core math and science courses that vary depending on the chosen specialization. ISC 231-234 and/or AP credit may substitute for some of these courses. Students interested in graduate school are encouraged to take more than these minimum basic science requirements.
Departmental Requirements:
4) Two core geoscience requirements that vary depending on the chosen specialization.
5) Five elective 300/400 level geosciences courses.
There are five department specializations: Microbiology (MB), Environmental Geochemistry (EC), Oceans, Atmosphere, & Climate (OA), Geology & Earth History (GE), and Geophysics (GP). Each specialization has a different set of prerequisites (1,2), basic science requirements (3), geoscience core requirements (4) & recommended electives (5) as follows:
Departmental Specialization:
|
MICRO BIOLOGY (MB) |
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY (EC) |
OCEANS, ATMOSPHERE, & CLIMATE (OA) |
GEOLOGY & EARTH HISTORY (GE) |
GEOPHYSICS (GP) |
|
To declare concentration sophomore year |
MAT 104 |
MAT 104 |
MAT 104 |
MAT 104 |
MAT 104 |
|
To declare concentration sophomore year |
COS 126 |
COS 126 |
COS 126 |
COS 126 |
COS 126 |
|
To declare concentration sophomore year |
GEO 202 |
GEO 202 |
GEO 202 |
GEO 203 |
GEO 203 |
|
By end of junior year |
GEO 422 or ORF 245 |
GEO 422 or ORF 245 |
GEO 422 or ORF 245 |
GEO 422 or ORF 245 |
GEO 422 or ORF 245 |
|
Required Core Math and Science |
EEB 211 |
MOL 214 |
MAT 201 |
MAT 202 |
MAT 201 |
|
Required Core Math and Science |
MOL 214 |
CHM 201 |
MAT 202 |
CHM 201 |
MAT 202 |
|
Required Core Math and Science |
CHM 201 |
CHM 202 |
CHM 201 |
CHM 202 |
PHY 103 or 105 |
|
Required Core Math and Science |
CHM 202 |
PHY 103 |
PHY 103 |
PHY 103 |
PHY 104 or 106 |
|
Required Core Geoscience |
GEO 363 |
GEO 363 |
GEO 361 |
GEO 362 |
GEO 371 or 442 |
|
Required Core Geoscience |
GEO 417 |
GEO 360 |
GEO 425 |
GEO 464 |
MAE 305 |
|
Recommended Electives |
GEO 369 |
GEO 369 |
GEO 362 |
GEO 378 |
GEO 419 |
|
Recommended Electives |
GEO 362 |
GEO 361 |
GEO 363 |
GEO 372 |
GEO 424 |
|
Recommended Electives |
GEO 416 |
GEO 370 |
GEO 366 |
GEO 370 |
GEO 441 |
|
Recommended Electives |
GEO 418 |
GEO 417 |
GEO 367 |
GEO 373 |
GEO 422 |
|
Recommended Electives |
GEO 428 |
GEO 418 |
GEO 368 |
GEO 376 |
GEO 464 |
|
Recommended Electives |
MOL 345 |
GEO 428 |
GEO 369 |
GEO 369 |
GEO 370 |
|
Recommended Electives |
MOL 380 |
GEO 470 |
GEO 376 |
GEO 202 |
GEO 376 |
|
Recommended Electives |
|
FRS |
GEO 427 |
FRS |
GEO 202 |
|
Recommended Electives |
|
CHM 301 |
GEO 428 |
MAE 305 |
FRS |
|
Recommended Electives |
|
CEE 311 |
GEO 203 |
MAE 221 |
|
|
Recommended Electives |
|
CEE 306/307 |
FRS |
|
|
|
Recommended Electives | CEE 471 | MAE 305 |
Students are urged to consult with the DUS or a member of the Undergraduate Work Committee before choosing hybrid specializations or pursuing specialization-electives outside of geosciences. In general, the department is flexible about course selections and requirements; however, we must ensure a degree of coherency in each student’s course of study.
Junior Colloquium is a weekly luncheon meeting, convened during the fall term, to teach Juniors basic techniques in proposal writing and analytical computing. This one-hour colloquium is mandatory for all geosciences concentrators (including those in the geological engineering program).
Certificate Programs
The Department offers a certificate program in geological engineering in collaboration with the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, which is described in the entry for the Program in Geological Engineering. The Department also collaborates with the certificate programs in Environmental Studies (PEI), Materials Science and Engineering (MSE), Planets and Life, and Teacher Preparation. Several geosciences courses fulfill requirements of these certificate programs.
All students considering a concentration in the Department should see the departmental representative. They are encouraged to consult as soon as possible, even as first-year students, to aid in the design of a course of study. The Department offers an open house in both the fall and spring terms to introduce prospective students to departmental courses, faculty, students, and research interests.
Geosciences Advisers
At the beginning of each academic year, each geosciences junior and senior is assigned an adviser, who is a faculty member and part of the Undergraduate Work Committee. Students are expected to regularly meet with their advisers for discussions on curriculum, course selection, choice of junior and senior research paper topics, study abroad plans, and the like. Once the courses have been selected in consultation with advisers, students turn in their signed fall and spring course worksheet to the undergraduate coordinator. Any course changes should also be discussed and approved by the adviser or the undergraduate chair.