The Bachelor of Arts degree in Earth Science is designed for students who seek more advanced knowledge of Geology than the Minor in Geology, but who have other academic interests that complement their interest in Geology. The degree is particularly useful when coupled with a minor or BA from an additional field. The B.A. in Geology can be of particular benefit to students with an interest in Education, Anthropology, Environmental Law, Architecture, Leisure Studies, Business, Political Science, Geography, Journalism and other liberal arts or science fields. Other employment opportunities include work as naturalists in parks and museums. The program requires biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics. The Geology sequence includes courses in oceanography, minerals, rocks, fossils, and landforms, whereas that in geography includes courses in meteorology, climatology, soils, and conservation.  Download the Roadmap to the B.A. in Earth Science for the official reference to the degree program.

For additional information about our undergraduate program, please contact our undergraduate advisors, Dr. Carrie E. Schweitzer,  Dr. Alison J. Smith, Dr. David M. Singer and Dr. Neil A. Wells.

General Requirements

• At least 42 semester credits must be taken in upper division courses (30000-level and above). 
• At least 36 semester credits must be taken in Liberal Education Requirements courses, and these should be completed during the first 64 credits of enrollment. 
• At least 121 semester credits of approved coursework must be completed successfully.
• GEOL 21062 Environmental Geology may be substituted for GEOL 21080 Oceanography with Departmental permission.
• Does not requires completion of GEOL 41092, Summer Field Camp, although students are encouraged to attend.
• A 2.00 cumulative grade-point average both overall and in the major, is necessary to graduate. 

Required Courses

Course Number
Course Title
Credits
GEOL 11040
Earth Dynamics 3
GEOL 11041
Earth Dynamics Lab 1
GEOL 11042
Earth History 3
GEOL 11043
Earth History Lab 1
GEOL 21080
Oceanography 3
GEOL 23063
Earth Materials I
4
GEOL 31070
Earth Materials II 4
GEOL 32066
Geomorphology 4
GEOL 34061
Invertebrate Paleontology 4
and 3 GEOL elective credits
3
GEOG 31062
Fundamentals of Meterolgy
3
GEOG 31064
Principles of Climatology
3
GEOG 41073
Conservation - Natural Resources 3
GEOG 41082
Geography of Soils 3
and 3 upper division elective credits in Geology or Geography (GIS recommended)
3
CHEM 10060
General Chemistry I 4
CHEM 10062
General Chemistry I Lab 1
MATH 11010
Algebra for Calculus
3
MATH 11022
Trigonometry
2
PHY 24001
Astronomy 3
BSCI 10110 or
BSCI 30560
Biological DIversity (4) or
Invertebrate Zoology (4)
4
PHY 13001 and PHY 13021 or
PHY 23101
General College Physics I  and General College Physics Lab (5) or
General  University Physics (5)
5

Total
67