2025-2026 Undergraduate/Graduate Catalog

Earth Science B.S.: General Earth Science Specialization

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

A minor is not required.

Major Requirements

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

Earth Sciences Core (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 (17 credits)

Required Courses (4 credits):

ESCI 129Meteorology: Earth's Weather

4

Electives (13 credits)

AST or ESCI courses at the 200 level or above, selected in consultation with the student's advisor.

Related Requirements (22-24 credits)

CHEM 161General Chemistry

3

CHEM 162General Chemistry Laboratory

1

CHEM 201Fndtns of Analytical Chem Lab

1

and

CHEM 260Foundations of Inorganic Chem

3

or

BIO 121General Biology I

4

MATH 152Calculus I

4

or

MATH 119Pre-Calculus with Trigonometry

4

or

MATH 124Applied Calculus with Trig

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