This information is part of the .
AdvisersÌýAdams, Harnik, Harpp, Leventer, Levy
The Environmental Geology concentration focuses on the intersection between the Earth's environment and human activity. The program combines scientific study of Earth's environmental systems with consideration of the human relationship with the planet in terms of both humanistic values and social issues. Environmental Geology majors explore terrestrial and aquatic systems, Earth surface processes, and the fundamental geological mechanisms that drive the long-term evolution of Earth's interior and climate system.
Major Requirements
The following courses are required for the major:
Environmental Studies Courses (four)
One of the following environmental ethics courses:
Courses fulfilling this requirement have an attribute of ESEE in the course offerings.
One of the following environmental justice courses:
Courses fulfilling this requirement have an attribute of ESEJ in the course offerings.
One of the following:
One of the following environmental politics, policy, planning, or economics courses:
Courses fulfilling this requirement have an attribute of ESEP in the course offerings.
One of the following:
- ECON 228Ìý-ÌýEnvironmental Economics
- ENST 241Ìý-ÌýSustainability and Climate Action Planning
- ENST 250Ìý-ÌýEnvironmental Policy Analysis
- ENST 335/POSC 335Ìý-ÌýUS Environmental Politics ÌýÌý
Community-based Study of Environmental Issues
- ENST 450Ìý-ÌýCommunity-Based Study of Environmental Issues andÌýENST 450LÌý
Geology Courses (seven)
All of the following:
- GEOL 190Ìý-ÌýEvolution of Planet Earth
- Two full-credit courses numbered 200 or higherÌýand not counted towards other major requirements, excluding independent study courses
Geology Core Courses
Any three of the following:
- GEOL 201Ìý-ÌýMineralogy and Geochemistry and GEOL 201LÌý
- GEOL 215Ìý-ÌýPaleontology of Marine Life and GEOL 215LÌý
- GEOL 225Ìý-ÌýSedimentology and Surficial Processes and GEOL 225LÌý
- GEOL 235Ìý-ÌýTectonics and Earth Structure and GEOL 235L
Capstone Seminar
- Any full-credit 400-level geology course, excludingÌýGEOL 491.
Cognate Science Courses (two)
Courses fulfilling this requirement have an attribute of ESCS in the course offerings.
- Any two full-credit courses in biology, chemistry, mathematics or physics. GEOG 245Ìýmay be taken in place of one of these courses.
GPA Requirement
A GPA of 2.00 in the environmental geology major is necessary for graduation. A passing grade must be received in all courses counted toward the major.
Honors and High Honors
To be eligible for honors in environmental geology, students must complete the following requirements in addition to the environmental geology major:
- CompleteÌýGEOL 441Ìý-ÌýSenior Research Seminar
- take four full-credit courses in mathematics, chemistry, physics, or biology
- complete a year-long senior thesis as described in the honors section of the geology major
- achieve a minimum average GPA of 3.0 in the three 200-level core courses and 400-level capstone course. If additional courses are taken in these categories, the highest grades will be used to compute this GPA.
Additional Information
Students majoring in environmental geology are strongly encouraged to take the summer field course GEOL 320Ìý-ÌýTechniques of Field Geology . Students who wish to pursue graduate study or a career in environmental geology are strongly encouraged to supplement the major requirements with at least one year of chemistry, mathematics, and physics or biology.
Environmental Studies Program
For more information about the department, including Faculty,Ìýtransfer credit, awards, etc.,Ìýplease visit theÌýEnvironmental Studies programÌýcatalogÌýpage.