Nov 27, 2024

2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Earth and Environmental Sciences, B.A.

The earth and environmental sciences encompass a wide variety of studies of our planet, including the study of its composition, structure, prehistoric life, internal and surficial processes, and history. These studies have important implications for understanding how our planet functions, as well as for understanding the interactions between humans and their environment. The discipline includes numerous applications in the discovery and use of mineral, energy, and water resources; in the protection and restoration of the environment; and in planning for the impacts of natural hazards (earthquakes, landslides, etc.) and climate change on global societal development. Students undertake the study of earth and environmental sciences in the classroom, laboratory, and field.

Students in earth and environmental sciences earn the Bachelor of Sciencs or Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Earth and Environmental Sciences. The B.S. program is designed for students who plan a career as a professional geologist or who plan to attend graduate school. The B.A. program is designed for students planning a career in public policy relating to earth science and environmental issues, earth-science education, business (environmental consulting), environmental law, or environmental medicine.

120 hours (minimum)

Any student earning a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree must complete a minimum of 39 hours at the 300+ level. These hours are generally completed by the Major Requirements. However, keep this hour requirement in mind as you choose your course work for the requirements in the major. See the complete description of College requirements for a Bachelor of Arts degree .

UK Core Requirements

See the UK Core section of this Catalog for the complete UK Core requirements . The courses listed below are (a) recommended by the college, or (b) required courses that also fulfill UK Core areas. Students should work closely with their advisor to complete the UK Core requirements.

IV. Intellectual Inquiry in the Natural, Physical, and Mathematical Sciences

CHE 105 - GENERAL COLLEGE CHEMISTRY I Credit(s): 4 Fulfilled by Premajor Requirement
CHE 111 - GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY Credit(s): 1 Fulfilled by Premajor Requirement

V. Composition and Communication I

CIS 110 - COMPOSITION AND COMMUNICATION I Credit(s): 3
OR
WRD 110 - COMPOSITION AND COMMUNICATION I Credit(s): 3

VI. Composition and Communication II

CIS 111 - COMPOSITION & COMMUNICATION II Credit(s): 3
OR
WRD 111 - COMPOSITION AND COMMUNICATION II Credit(s): 3

VII. Quantitative Foundations

MA 123 - ELEMENTARY CALCULUS AND ITS APPLICATIONS Credit(s): 4 Fulfilled by Premajor Requirement
OR
MA 113 - CALCULUS I Credit(s): 4 Fulfilled by Premajor Requirement

VIII. Statistical Inferential Reasoning

Choose one course from approved list
Credit(s): 3

IX. Community, Culture and Citizenship in the USA

Choose one course from approved list
Credit(s): 3

X. Global Dynamics

Choose one course from approved list
Credit(s): 3

UK Core hours: 24

Graduation Composition and Communication Requirement (GCCR)

EES 235 - FUNDAMENTALS OF GEOLOGY II Credit(s): 3
EES 461 - IGNEOUS AND METAMORPHIC PETROLOGY Credit(s): 4

Subtotal: Graduation Composition and Communication Requirement hours (GCCR): 7

College Requirements

I. Foreign Language: 0-14

(placement exam recommended)

II. Disciplinary Requirements

a. Natural Science

(completed by Major Requirements)

b. Social Science: 6

(can be partially fulfilled by Major Requirements)

c. Humanities: 6

III. Laboratory or Field Work

(completed by Premajor Requirement)

IV. Race and Ethnicity Requirement: 0-3

V. Electives: 6

College Requirement hours: 18-35

Premajor Requirements

*Course used towards completion of a UK Core Requirement.

CHE 105 - GENERAL COLLEGE CHEMISTRY I Credit(s): 4 *
CHE 111 - GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY Credit(s): 1 *
EES 220 - PRINCIPLES OF PHYSICAL GEOLOGY Credit(s): 4
EES 295 - GEOSCIENCE ORIENTATION Credit(s): 1
MA 123 - ELEMENTARY CALCULUS AND ITS APPLICATIONS Credit(s): 4 *
OR
MA 113 - CALCULUS I Credit(s): 4 *
PHY 211 - GENERAL PHYSICS Credit(s): 5 *
OR
PHY 231 - GENERAL UNIVERSITY PHYSICS Credit(s): 4 *
PHY 241 - GENERAL UNIVERSITY PHYSICS LABORATORY Credit(s): 1 *

Premajor hours: 19

Major Requirements

Major Core Requirements

EES 230 - FUNDAMENTALS OF GEOLOGY I Credit(s): 3
EES 235 - FUNDAMENTALS OF GEOLOGY II Credit(s): 3
EES 350 - REGIONAL HISTORICAL GEOLOGY Credit(s): 3
EES 360 - MINERALOGY Credit(s): 4
EES 420G - STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY Credit(s): 4
EES 450G - SEDIMENTARY GEOLOGY Credit(s): 4
EES 461 - IGNEOUS AND METAMORPHIC PETROLOGY Credit(s): 4

Major Core hours: 25

Other Course Work Required for the Major

From the Major Department:

Elective I: 6

Choose 6 hours of EES courses at the 400+ level, not to include EES 495 or EES 496

Elective II: 6

Choose 6 additional hours of 300+ EES or related courses

NOTE: 14 hours at the 200 level or higher must be completed outside Earth and Environmental Sciences. Partial fulfillment of this requirement can be completed by the PHY and EES Elective II Requirements Credit(s) 3-14