2026-2027 Undergraduate/Graduate Catalog

Earth Science B.S.: General Earth Science Specialization

The General Earth Science Specialization is designed for students who want to study the earth and space sciences, but who are not intending to work as professional scientists. This Specialization is appropriate for students planning a career in public policy relating to science issues, science education, resource management, museum/observatory management, science journalism, library science, technical writing, or business.

A minor is not required.

Outcomes

Scientific literacy: Students will be able to identify, analyze, and apply earth science concepts, principles, laws, and theories.

Ability to do science: Students will be able to interpret, analyze, and apply the Scientific Method and other related inquiry related skills, as well as quantitative methods, in the earth science lab.

Communications: Students will be able to use oral and written communication to accurately and effectively convey earth science concepts.

Technology literacy: Students will be able to select and accurately use appropriate tools, equipment, and technologies in the earth science lab.

Research: Students will be able to locate, interpret, analyze, and/or conduct and present earth science research.

Major Requirements

44 credits in Earth Science/Astronomy courses and 22-24 credits of related requirements.

Earth and Space Sciences Core Curriculum (19 credits)

ESCI 121The Dynamic Earth

3

or

ESCI 131Environmental Earth Science

3

 

ESCI 125Earth Science Laboratory

1

ESCI 141Earth and Life History

3

ESCI 145Earth and Life History Lab

1

ESCI 221Mineralogy

4

ESCI 223Sedimentary Geology

4

ESCI 260Communicating the Earth and Space Sciences

1

ESCI 290Field Methods in the Earth Sciences

2

General Earth Science Specialization (25 credits)

Three (3) Focus Area Courses

Complete three 100 or 200 level courses as an introduction to focus areas within the earth and space sciences.

ESCI 102Environmental Justice 21st Cen

3

ESCI 129Meteorology: Earth's Weather

4

ESCI 200Exploration in Earth Sciences

3

CCS 121Intro Climate Change Science

3

CCS 122Climate Change Impacts

3

AST 208Planetary Astronomy

4

AST 209Stellar and Galactic Astronomy

4

AST 212Studies in Astronomy

3

Earth & Space Science Electives (11-14 credits)

Complete additional AST or ESCI courses at the 300 or 400 level to reach 25 credits in the specialization (or 44 credits in the major, including the core curriculum).


Courses outside the department may be approved as electives after consultation with your faculty advisor and the department chair

Capstone (2 credits)
ESCI 360Research Methods in the Earth and Space Sciences

1

ESCI 460Senior Project

1-3

Additional credits of ESCI 460 may be counted towards the required Earth & Space Science Electives.

In addition, the following 22-24 credits are required as follows:

CHEM 161General Chemistry

3

CHEM 162General Chemistry Laboratory

1

CHEM 201Foundations of Analytical Chemistry Laboratory

1

and

CHEM 260Foundations of Inorganic Chemistry

3

or

BIO 121General Biology I

4

MATH 152Calculus I

4

or

MATH 119Pre-Calculus with Trigonometry

4

or

MATH 124Applied Calculus with Trigonometry

4

or

MATH 115Trigonometry

3

MATH 221Calculus II

4

or

MATH 125Applied Calculus

3

or

MATH 116Pre-Calculus Mathematics

3

or

STAT 104Elementary Statistics

3

PHYS 125University Physics I

4

or

PHYS 121General Physics I

4

PHYS 126University Physics II

4

or

PHYS 122General Physics II

4

This program does not require a minor.