The Earth Science major and minor program is a flexible course of instruction for students desiring a broad understanding of the earth and environmental processes. The program is interdisciplinary in nature and offers students an opportunity to select approved courses from several science departments, including Geosciences, Engineering, Biological Sciences, Geography, Chemistry, and Physics. Courses are selected in consultation with the earth science advisor to design programs that are tailored to the individuals’ needs and professional objectives. Elective courses must be approved by the advisor.

The Earth Science major is not recommended as a stand alone major. It should be undertaken by students who are taking a double major (e.g., Environmental Science, Law, Business, Engineering, etc.).

For employment in geosciences with this degree alone, as many as possible of the following GEOS courses are highly recommended (note that many of these courses have prerequisites beyond those in this major): 

• GEOS 4320 - Geomorphology   Credits: 3 hours
• GEOS 5120 - Principles of Hydrogeology   Credits: 3 hours
• GEOS 5210 - Geological and Environment Remote Sensing   Credits: 4 hours
• GEOS 5230 - Hazardous Waste Operation and Emergency Response   Credits: 1 hour
• GEOS 5240 - Remediation Design and Implementation   Credits: 1 hour
• GEOS 5250 - Surface Geophysics   Credits: 1 hour
• GEOS 5260 - Principles and Practices of Aquifer Testing   Credits: 1 hour
• GEOS 5270 - Principles of Well Drilling and Installation   Credits: 1 hour
• GEOS 5280 - Principles and Practices of Ground-water Sampling and Monitoring   Credits: 1 hour
• GEOS 5350 - GIS Applications in Geological and Enviornmental Sciences   Credits: 3 hours
• GEOS 5550 - Introduction to Geochemistry   Credits: 3 hours
• GEOS 5600 - Introduction to Geophysics   Credits: 3 hours