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Geosciences (GS)

Geosciences is the study of planet Earth, its materials, the processes that act upon them, and the history of the planet and its life forms since its origin, including predictive analysis of potential future changes in the Earth System driven by natural and human factors.  The mission of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø’s Geosciences Department is to apply the understanding of Earth processes to contemporary issues such as Climate Change, land-use planning, water use, resource exporation/extraction, and environmental justice. The program’s curriculum includes ocean and atmospheric sciences, Earth surface processes, and the history of global change.  Our courses are designed for students with a general interest in the geosciences as well as for students planning to pursue a graduate degree.  We accomplish this mission by providing an environment in which students acquire diverse scientific problem-solving, research, and communication skills. Geosciences students obtain a strong foundation for lifelong learning, professional development in the geosciences, and enhanced career opportunities in other fields that require a broadly-based background in this discipline.  A liberal arts degree in geosciences prepares a student for a wide range of professional pathways (see table below). Interestingly, Geosciences graduate programs typically are fully-funded (including tuition waivers), and the Department has a 100% graduate program placement rate for interested alumni. Ask us about it.

Students who plan to major in geosciences or who are exploring earth and environmental science options should take an introductory, 100-level Geosciences course in their first semester.  The 100-level GE courses serve as pre-requisites for most upper level courses across the department, and also count towards programs in Environmental Studies and Sciences and International Affairs.  100-level GE courses also fulfill all-College requirements in Scientific Inquiry through Practice (SIP) and/or Fundamentals of Quantitative Reasoning (FQR).  Looking ahead, we encourage interested students to attend summer research programs, field camp, and/or study abroad.  We have strong ties to some excellent field and off-campus programs, particularly ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø in New Zealand.  Our majors often combine geosciences with a second major or minor area of interest.

Ever wonder which careers relate to the Geosciences?

 

*Based on your Chemistry Diagnostic, you will be placed into either CH 115 Fundamentals of Chemistry or CH 125 Principles of Chemistry. Both courses are only offered in the Fall with seats reserved in both courses for first year students. CH 125 has a pre-requisite of either placement based on the diagnostic or completion of CH 115. Enrollment in CH 115 requires placement in the course. Students placed into CH 115 will need to complete it before enrolling in Principles of Chemistry. Without a placement, you will not be able to register for a Chemistry course.  Please complete the diagnostic at least 24 hours before you register. For students who complete CH 115 in the Fall, CH 126 is offered in the Spring to enable them to complete their introductory chemistry sequence. CH 126 has a CH 115 pre-requisite (placement into CH 126 is not necessary) and is only offered in the Spring. Note that CH 126 is identical in content to CH 125.

** Most students begin with PY 130 Introductory Physics I, but those with strong physics preparation may be able to enroll directly in PY 140 Introductory Physics II based on the results of the Physics Placement Exam.

*** Students who plan to take calculus must complete the to help the Mathematics & Statistics Department determine the appropriate level of calculus.

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Geosciences Department Site

We expect to be fully moved in to CIS by May 2024. Our classrooms are on the first floor and offices will be on the second floor.  518-580-5948