Earth Sciences
Chair Jeff Karson, 204 Heroy Geology Laboratory, 315-443-2672.
Faculty Suzanne L. Baldwin, Marion E. Bickford, Paul G. Fitzgerald, Gregory D. Hoke, Linda C. Ivany, Jeffrey A. Karson, Laura K. Lautz, Henry T. Mullins, Cathryn R. Newton, Scott D. Samson, Christopher A. Scholz, Donald I. Siegel, Constanze E. Weyhenmeyer, Bruce H. Wilkinson
The Earth Sciences provide insights into some of humanity’s deepest questions. How was the planet Earth, our lifeboat in space, formed? What are the processes that have shaped the Earth — its surface and internal structure? How has life, of which humanity is a part, evolved? Why are there earthquakes, volcanoes, mountain chains, continents, and oceans? How has the surface of the Earth changed through time? On a practical level, the study of earth sciences provides a basis for understanding natural hazards, assessing Earth’s climate variability, predicting the migration of man-made pollutants, and exploring for the energy and mineral resources upon which society depends. The study of earth sciences also, uniquely, provides a perspective of time and an appreciation of the natural world that can enrich a lifetime.
The Department of Earth Sciences offers both bachelor of science and bachelor of arts degrees. The bachelor of science degree is recommended for students intending to pursue a career in the Earth Sciences–either professionally or in academia. Most bachelor of science students continue on to graduate school to obtain a master’s degree, the standard entry-level professional degree in the Earth sciences, or a Ph.D. if they intend to pursue a career in academia. Two bachelor of science degree tracks are offered within the department, the B.S. in Earth Sciences, and the B.S. in Earth Sciences with focus in environmental science. The B.S. in Earth Sciences provides a strong background in basic science and geology, and through appropriate choice of electives can be tailored to meet a wide range of possible interests within the Earth sciences. The B.S. in Earth Sciences with focus in environmental science is offered jointly with the biology department, and is recommended for those students specifically intending to pursue a career in the environmental arena.
The bachelor of arts degree in Earth sciences is recommended for those students who enjoy and are intellectually intrigued by the Earth sciences, but intend to pursue careers in other fields. The B.A. degree differs from the B.S. degree in that it requires fewer ancillary science courses and fewer electives from within the department. Along with intellectual enrichment, the B.A. degree provides a rounded science foundation and critical thinking skills that can be applied to numerous other fields. Graduates with B.A.s in earth sciences go on to be lawyers, teachers, business people, environmental planners, public policy makers, and politicians, as well as geologists.
REQUIREMENTS FOR A B.A. DEGREE IN Earth Sciences
Any one of the three introductory course sequences listed below under the requirements for the B.S., plus an additional 18 credits in earth science at 300 level or above.
REQUIREMENTS FOR B.S. DEGREE IN Earth Sciences
Introductory Courses (one of the following sequences)
EAR 101-102
EAR 203-102
EAR 105 (104 or 290)-102
Note: EAR 290 is the laboratory for EAR 101 and may be taken concurrently with EAR 102.
Core Courses in Earth Sciences (14 credits plus an approved field course)
EAR 314 Mineralogy
EAR 325 Introduction to Paleobiology
EAR 333 Structural Geology
EAR 470 Experience Credit: Field Geology*
EAR 517 Sedimentary Processes and Systems
* An approved field course of at least 6 credits. The nature of the course may vary with different student programs.
Required Ancillary Sciences and Mathematics
Other Elective Courses (21 credits of department or approved auxiliary science or math courses, at least 9 of which must be upper-division credits)
requirements for B.S. degree in EARTH SCIENCES
with focus In Environmental Science
Introductory Courses
Core Courses in Earth Sciences (12 credits plus an approved field course)
EAR 314 Mineralogy
EAR 325 Introduction to Paleobiology
EAR 333 Structural Geology
EAR 470 Experience Credit: (approved field course)
EAR 517 Sedimentary Processes and Systems
Ancillary Sciences
Capstone Seminar (Required in the Senior Year)
EAR/BIO 428 Environmental Seminar
Elective Courses (18 credits required from the following list, at least 9 of which must be upper-division credits)
EAR 106 Environmental Geology
EAR 342 Geomorphology
EAR 345 Global Change: Geologic Record
EAR 117 Oceanography
EAR 296 Oceanography and Limnolgy
EAR 400 Selected Topics
EAR 419 Environmental Aqueous Geochemistry
EAR 477/
677 Geochemistry
EAR 541 Hydrogeology
EAR 544 Quaternary Change
EAR 555 Environmental Geophysics
BIO 345 Population Biology
BIO 409 General Microbiology
BIO 415 Conservation Biology
BIO 451 Ecology
GEO 356 Environmental Ideas and Policy
GEO 386 Quantitative Geographical Analysis
EAR/BIO 485 Geology and Ecology of Regional Environments
CIE 327 Principles of Fluid Mechanics
CIE 352 Applied Fluid Mechanics
CIE 471 Environmental Chemistry and Analysis
EFB 220 Global Environment
EAR 440 Watershed Hydrology
FOR 345 Soils
Minor in EARTH Sciences
To complete a minor in Earth sciences, students must take 19 credits in Earth sciences, 12 of which must be in courses numbered 300 or above.