Major in Earth-Space Science

The Department of Physics, Astronomy and Geosciences offers an undergraduate program leading to a Bachelor of Science in Earth-Space Science for those students wanting a broad survey of the earth and space sciences. This program is intended primarily for students interested in secondary education, and is generally not appropriate for students interested in a professional career in geology.

The program is designed to result in state certification to teach earth-space science at the secondary level after the student completes the additional requirements of the Department of Secondary Education. Students must contact the Department of Secondary Education about admission to the Secondary Teacher Education Program after completing 45 units. A total of 57-58 credits are required in this major, 12 of which also satisfy Core Curriculum requirements.

Within the Earth-Space Science major, 34-35 core and elective credits are within the earth, atmospheric, oceanographic and space sciences. The remaining credits in the major are in the supporting physical and mathematical sciences. All required courses in this track must be completed with a grade equivalent of 2.00 or higher. The additional Core Curriculum requirements must also be completed.

Required Core Courses (51 credits)

  • GEOL 121 Physical Geology (4)
  • GEOL 123 Historical Geology (4)
  • GEOL 357 Physical Oceanography (3)
  • ASTR 161 General Astronomy I (4)
  • ASTR 162 Astronomy II (3)
  • BIOL 115 Biology: The Science of Life (4)
  • CHEM 131 General Chemistry I (3)
    and
    CHEM 131L General Chemistry I Lab (1)
  • CHEM 132 General Chemistry II (3)
    and
    CHEM 132L General Chemistry II Lab (1)
  • MATH 115 Basic Math for the Sciences (3)
  • PHYS 211 General Physics I (4)
  • PHYS 212 General Physics II (4)
  • GEOL 305 Environmental Geology (4)
  • GEOL 331 Mineralogy(4)
  • GEOG 377 Descriptive Meteorology (4)
Elective (3-4 credits)
  • GEOL 321 Structural Geology (4)
  • GEOL 415 Hydrogeology
  • GEOL 443 Sedimentology and Stratigraphy (4)
  • GEOG 315 Geomorphology (4)
  • GEOG 410 Environmental Geography (3)
  • GEOG 411 Studies in Natural Hazards (3)
  • GEOG 412 Introduction to Geographical Information Systems (3)

Next: Earth Science Secondary Education Concentration