Earth Science - Requirements for the Major
Earth Science Program | Earth Science Minor Requirements | Course Descriptions
Supporting Courses, 29 credits
- CHEM 211 Principles of Chemistry I, 5 credits
- CHEM 212 Principles of Chemistry II, 5 credits
- EARTH SC 202 Physical Geology, 4 credits
- EARTH SC 203 Geologic Evolution of the Earth, 3 credits
- EARTH SC 204 Geologic Evolution of the Earth Laboratory, 1 credit
A minimum of two courses:
- COMP SCI 256 Software Design I, 4 credits
- MATH 202 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I, 4 credits
- MATH 203 Calculus and Analytic Geometry II, 4 credits
- MATH 209 Multivariate Calculus, 4 credits
- MATH 260 Introductory Statistics, 4 credits
One of these:
- COMM 133 Fundamentals of Public Address, 3 credits
- COMM 390 Scientific and Technical Communication, 3 credits
- ENG COMP 105 Expository Writing, 3 credits
Upper-Level Courses, 25 credits
- EARTH SC 432 Hydrogeology, 3 credits
- ENV SCI 320 The Soil Environment, 4 credits
- ENV SCI 330 Hydrology, 3 credits
- ENV SCI 342 Environmental Geology, 3 credits
Choose 12 credits from the following list:
- EARTH SC 340 Rock and Mineral Resources, 3 credits
- EARTH SC 402 Stratigraphy and Sedimentation, 3 credits
- EARTH SC 470 Quaternary Geology, 3 credits
- EARTH SC 492 Special Topics in Earth Science, 1-4 credits (Course topics vary. Typical topics include mineralogy, structural geology, geologic field methods, and geomorphic processes. Offerings of different topics can be repeated for credit.)
- ENV SCI 421 Soils and Geology of Wisconsin Field Trip, 1-3 credits (Offerings of trip to different areas may be repeated for credit)
- ENV SCI 425 Global Climate Change, 3 credits
- ENV SCI 454 Remote Sensing and GIS, 4 credits
Three to 6 credits of upper-level requirements may be fulfilled through completion of a summer earth science or geology field camp sponsored by an accredited university. Students should obtain pre-approval for course substitution from the chair of earth science prior to enrolling in a particular field course.
Requirements for the Earth Science Major for Students Seeking Teaching Certification
Supporting Courses, 30-35 credits
- CHEM 108 General Chemistry, 5 credits
or - CHEM 211 Principles of Chemistry I, 5 credits
Candidates for teacher certification are strongly urged to take CHEM 211 and also CHEM 212 Principles of Chemistry II, 5 credits.
- EARTH SC 202 Physical Geology, 4 credits
- EARTH SC 203 Geologic Evolution of the Earth, 3 credits
- EARTH SC 204 Geologic Evolution of the Earth Laboratory, 1 credit
- EARTH SC 222 Ocean of Air: Weather and Climate, 3 credits
- ENV SCI 141 Astronomy, 3 credits
Two of these:
- MATH 104 Elementary Functions: Algebra and Trigonometry, 4 credits
- MATH 202 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I, 4 credits
- MATH 260 Introductory Statistics, 4 credits
One of these:
- COMM 133 Fundamentals of Public Address, 3 credits
- COMM 390 Scientific and Technical Communication, 3 credits
- ENG COMP 105 Expository Writing, 3 credits
Upper-Level Courses, 25 credits
- ENV SCI 320 The Soil Environment, 4 credits
- ENV SCI 330 Hydrology, 3 credits
- ENV SCI 342 Environmental Geology, 3 credits
Choose 15 additional credits from the upper-level course list for the earth science major.