DEPARTMENT OF EARTH SCIENCES
Chair:
Miriam L. Fearn (251) 460-6381
Professors: Dilsaver, Isphording,
Ryder Associate Professors: Allison, Blackwell, Clark, Fearn, Haywick,
Kimball, Rivizzigno, Sebastian, Williams
Instructors: Connors, Jordan, Stutsman, G. Wade, R. Wade
Emeriti: Lamb, Wilson
Department of Earth Sciences web sitehttp://www.southalabama.edu/geography
Geology is the study of Earth, its composition, and the forces that form and change it. As such, it encompasses a broad spectrum of studies and draws from the other basic sciences: chemistry, physics, and biology.
Geography, which is both a natural and a social science, studies the location, spatial distribution, and spatial interaction of Earth’s natural and human environments. Special attention is given to biogeography, climatology, environmental geography, soil geography, cultural geography, economic geography, historical geography, urban geography,
and geographic information science. Meteorology is the study of atmospheric phenomena and the processes that cause weather. The science of meteorology is firmly rooted in basic physical laws governing mass, momentum, and energy. Many weather processes are simulated by complex computer models; however, accurate weather analysis and forecasting often requires meteorologists to identify and conceptualize weather patterns often missed by automated techniques.
The programs of the Department of Earth Sciences are designed to give the non-major a background in Earth and atmospheric science and the human impact on the landscape as part of a general education. Students pursuing a degree in Geography, Geology, or Meteorology must also have a minor in another discipline.
A student may receive a major or minor in either geology, geography, or meteorology.
The Earth Sciences Department offers a departmental honors program that allows exceptional students to pursue independent research. Students work with a faculty committee to choose an Earth Sciences research project (geography, geology, meteorology), develop a prospectus, and complete a senior thesis. Students completing this program graduate with departmental honors. All honors courses are listed under the prefix ES.
All first-time freshmen with less than 15 semester hours are required to successfully complete CAS 100: New Student Seminar. REQUIREMENTS FOR A MAJOR IN GEOLOGY
Students should complete a minimum of 50 semester hours in geology. GY 111 and GY 112 are prerequisites for most other upper level geology courses. The core requirements for a degree in Geology are listed below:
Core requirements for a geology major
GY 111 4 hrs GY 112 4 hrs
GY 325 3 hrs GY 342 4 hrs
GY 341 4 hrs GY 344 3 hrs
GY 343 4 hrs GY 360 4 hrs
GY 345 3 hrs GY 480 6 hrs
GY 371 4 hrs
7 hours of geology electives 7 hrs
Total 50 Additional requirements from other disciplines
CH 131 CH 132 PH 114 PH 115
MA 125 MA 126
Courses in statistics and computer science are strongly recommended for all Geology majors.
A program in related sciences has been approved as an acceptable minor for geology majors; however, it is recommended that the student seek a traditional minor. The completion of the related sciences minor requires: Biology 101 and 102 or 121 and 122; Physics 114 and 115; Chemistry 131 and 132; Mathematics through MA 126. Students seeking a minor in related sciences should be aware of the University requirement that all students must complete 32 resident hours in 300/400 level courses. An overall GPA 2.0 is required for the major.
GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR GEOLOGY MAJORS
Areas I, II, and IV of the General Education Requirements for Geology are specified in the
College of Arts and Sciences section. Note that Area
III requirements (Mathematics and Natural Sciences) are fulfilled by the major requirements specified above.
REQUIREMENTS FOR A MINOR IN GEOLOGY
A student must take a minimum of 20 semester hours of Geology courses including GY 111 and GY 112. GY 310, 344, 345 and 371 are recommended for students majoring in Biology. GY 341, 431 and 475 are recommended for students majoring in Chemistry. GY 305, 360 and 420 are recommended for students majoring in Physics or Mathematics. For other majors, contact the Department of Earth Sciences.
Recommended Geology Major Curriculum
1st Year Fall 1st Year Spring
GY 111
4
GY 112
4
CH 131
4
CH 132
4
MA 125
4
MA 126
4
EH 101
3
EH 102
3
CAS 100
2
Total
15
Total
17
2nd Year Fall 2nd Year Spring
GY 341
4
GY 342
4
PH 114
5
PH 115
5
SS 1
3
SS 2
3
GY 325
3
CA 110
3
Total
15
Total
15
3rd Year Fall
3rd Year Spring
GY 343
4
GY 345
3
HUM 1
3
HUM 3
3
HUM 2
3
SS 3
3
GY 344
3
FL 2
3
FL 1
3
Minor 3/4
Total
16
Total
15/16
4th Year Fall
4th Year Spring
GY 371
4
GY 360
4
GY Elec 1
4
GY Elec 2
3
Minor
3/4
SS 4
3
Minor
3/4
Minor
3/4
Art
3
Minor
3/4
Total
17/19
Total
16/18
4th Year Summer
GY 480
6
Major Hours
50
Minor Hours
8-21
HUM = Humanities
SS = Social Sciences
FL = Foreign Language
Art = Fine and Performing Arts
All first-time freshmen with less than 15 semester hours are required to successfully complete CAS 100: New Student Seminar. REQUIREMENTS FOR A MAJOR IN GEOGRAPHY
A student with a major in geography must take a group of required core geography courses as well as six (6) additional upper division courses for a total of 46 semester hours. The six (6) additional upper division courses must be chosen from at least three (3) of the following categories: Human, Physical, Regional, and Technical.
Geography 101 and 102 are prerequisites to most upper level physical geography courses and Geography 114 and 115 are prerequisites to most upper level human geography courses listed below. A. Geography Major Requirements (
47 HRS)
Core requirements for a geography major (28 HRS) :
GEO 101
4 hrs
GEO 102
4 hrs
GEO 114
3 hrs
GEO 115
3 hrs
GEO 331
4 hrs
GEO 332
4 hrs
GEO 435
3 hrs
GEO 480
4 hrs
B. One additional natural science course, one additional social science course outside of geography, ST 210, and CIS 150.
C. Select six courses (for at least 18 hrs) from a minimum of three groups:
Human Geography Courses:
GEO 312
3 hrs
GEO 321
3 hrs
GEO 365
3 hrs
GEO 370
3 hrs
GEO 375
3 hrs
GEO 381
3 hrs
Physical Geography Courses:
GEO 310
3 hrs
GEO 353
4 hrs
GEO 341
3 hrs
GEO 410
3 hrs
GEO 411
3 hrs
GEO 440
2 hrs
GEO 441
2 hrs
GEO 342
3 hrs
Regional Geography Courses:
GEO 313
3 hrs
GEO 314
3 hrs
GEO 315
3 hrs
GEO 320
3 hrs
Technical Geography Courses:
GEO 460
4 hrs
GEO 462
4 hrs
GEO 461
4 hrs
GEO 442
3 hrs
GEO 420
4 hrs
D. Complete at least 15 semester hours in residence in major at the 300 and/or 400 level. A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required in major.
GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR GEOGRAPHY MAJORS
Areas I and II of the General Education Requirements for Geography are specified in the
College of Arts and Sciences section. Note that a portion of Area
IV (GEO 114, GEO 115) and the Natural Sciences portion of Area
III (GEO 101, GEO 102, ST 210) are fulfilled by the major requirements specified above.
REQUIREMENTS FOR A MINOR IN GEOGRAPHY
A student must take 20 semester hours of Geography, including 101, 102, 114, and
three electives at the 300 or 400 level.
All first-time freshmen with less than 15 semester hours are required to successfully complete CAS 100: New Student Seminar.
REQUIREMENTS FOR A MAJOR IN METEOROLOGY
A student with a major in Meteorology must take a group of required courses totaling at least
49 semester hours. Meteorology students must take a core of 35 semester hours of meteorology courses, plus one of the specialty tracks listed below and
two to four hours of electives. Students may meet the meteorology elective requirement by taking one or more course(s) from another track(s) or from additional meteorology offerings.
The meteorology degree also requires MA 125, 126, 227, 238, PH 201, 202; ST 315 and CIS 227 or MET 420.
Meteorology Major Requirements (49 HRS)
A. Meteorology Core Courses:
MET 140
4 hrs
MET 341
3 hrs
MET 353
4 hrs
MET 354
3 hrs
MET 355
3 hrs
MET 356
3 hrs
MET 357
2 hrs
MET 454
6 hrs
MET 455
6 hrs
MET 496
1 hr
Total
35 hrs
B. Select 3 - 4 hours of electives in Meteorology or courses listed in the tracks, and/or from MET 420,
MET 442,
MET 456 (W).
C. Select one group:
Group 1 - Basic Meteorology Track:
GEO 332
4 hrs
or
MET 492**
3 hrs
GY 475
4 hrs
MET 358
3 hrs
Total
10-11 hrs
Group 2 - Industrial Meteorology Track:
MGT 300
3 hrs
MET 492***
2 hrs
MKT 320
3 hrs
GY 475
4 hrs
Total
12 hrs
Group 3 - Broadcast Meteorology Track:
MET 359
2 hrs
MET 498
3 hrs
MET 497
3 hrs
MET 358
3 hrs
Total
11 hrs
Group 4 - Environ. Meteorology Track:
GY 475
4 hrs
GEO 460
4 hrs
MET 492****
3 hrs
Total
11 hrs
**
Satellite Meteorology seminar
***
Industrial meteorology seminar
****
Air Pollution Meteorology seminar
D. Complete at least 15 semester hours in residence in major at the 300 and/or 400 level. A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required in major.
GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR METEOROLOGY MAJORS
Areas I, II, and IV of the General Education Requirements for Meteorology are specified in the
College of Arts and Sciences section. Note that Area III requirements (Mathematics and Natural Sciences) are fulfilled by the major requirements specified above.
REQUIREMENTS FOR A MINOR IN METEOROLOGY
A student must take 20 semester hours of Meteorology, including
MET 140, MET 353, MET 341 and 9 semester hours of electives from MET 342,
MET 354,
MET 355,
MET 356,
MET 357,
MET 358,
MET 401,
MET 402,
MET 420,
MET 442, and
MET 456 (W).
GRADUATE STUDIES
Although the Department of Earth Sciences has no graduate degree program, courses are offered at the graduate level for students enrolled in Marine Sciences and others who need such course work. Contact the Department.