College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
www.earth.uni.edu
Staff:
J. Walters, Head. T. Cooney, A. Czarnetzki, K. De Nault, J. Gale, J. Groves, C. Heinzel, T. Hockey, M. Iqbal, S. Morgan.
The Department of Earth Science offers the following undergraduate programs. Specific requirements for these programs are listed within this Department of Earth Science section in the following order:
Undergraduate Majors (B.S.)
Undergraduate Majors (B.A.)
Earth Science-Interpretive Naturalist Emphasis
Geology With Environmental Science Emphasis
Minors
The Department of Earth Science encompasses five curricular disciplines: Earth Science, Geology, Meteorology, Astronomy, and Earth Science Education. Major programs are offered in two baccalaureate areas: the Bachelor of Science and the Bachelor of Arts.
The B.S. degree in Air Quality prepares students for careers in governmental regulation of air quality, industrial compliance with the Clean Air Act, and private consulting. The B.S. degree in Geology is intended for students who wish to become professional geologists and who plan to enter graduate school in geology. This curriculum meets the standards of the American Institute of Professional Geologists. The B.A. in Geology provides a wider choice of electives than the B.S. in Geology and prepares students for additional study in selected fields of geology, paleontology, and related earth science areas. Students interested in preparing for an environmentally oriented geoscience career can elect to complete the B.A. in Geology with Environmental Science Emphasis. The B.A. degree in Earth Science is designed as a broad liberal arts major that can build a strong foundation for a variety of career plans. It also provides supportive background and additional career options as a second major for students majoring in other disciplines such as mathematics, computer science, industrial technology, anthropology, geography, biology, chemistry or related areas. Students wishing to work as professional interpreters with park systems, nature centers, museums, and other areas requiring field skills in the natural sciences and natural history communication skills are advised to select the B.A. in Earth Science with Interpretive Naturalist Emphasis. The B.A. degree in Earth Science-Teaching is designed to prepare secondary Earth Science teachers.
Bachelor of Science Degree Programs
Air Quality Major
The B.S. Air Quality major requires a minimum of 126 total hours to graduate. This total includes Liberal Arts Core requirements and the following specified major requirements, plus electives to complete the minimum of 126 hours. Liberal Arts Core courses included in major program requirements are distinguished by italics.
Required: |
|
Chemistry and Biochemistry: 860:132 |
4 hours |
Earth Science: 870:021; 870:121; 870:122; 870:123; 870:124; 870:137 or 870:195 (3 hrs.); 870:177; 870:180 (2 hrs.) |
27 hours |
Geography: 970:173 |
3 hours |
Environmental Science: 830:166 |
3 hours |
Required cognate areas: |
|
11 hours |
|
3 hours |
|
Chemistry and Biochemistry: 860:044 and 860:048, or 860:0705 |
8 hours |
Physics: 880:054 and 880:056 and one 100-level cognate* elective, or 880:130 and 880:131 |
8-11 hours |
Total |
64-70 hours |
*A 100-level course in a cognate area is required unless met by taking 880:131. Cognate areas for the B.S. degree program in air quality are understood to include chemistry and biochemistry, computer science, geography, mathematics, and physics. Specific cognate courses must be approved by the advisor and department head.
Geology Major
The B.S. Geology major requires a minimum of 126 total hours to graduate. This total includes Liberal Arts Core requirements and the following specified major requirements, plus electives to complete the minimum of 126 hours. Liberal Arts Core courses included in major program requirements are distinguished by italics.
Required: |
|
Geology: 870:031; 870:035; 870:125; 870:129; 870:130; 870:131; 870:135; 870:136; 870:141; 870:142 or 870:143; 870:180 (2 hrs.); Summer Field Course (6 hrs.)* |
43 hours |
8 hours |
|
Mathematics/Computer Science: one of the following courses: 800:072; 800:092; 800:172; 810:030; 810:035 |
3 hours |
Chemistry and Biochemistry: 860:044 and 860:048, or 860:0705 |
8 hours |
Physics: 880:054 and 880:056 and one 100-level cognate** elective, or 880:130 and 880:131 |
8-11 hours |
Total |
67-73 hours |
*Summer field course requirements to be met by credit earned at a field camp approved by the department.
**A 100-level course in a cognate area is required unless met by taking 880:131. Cognate areas for the B.S. degree program in geology are understood to include astronomy, biology, chemistry and biochemistry, geography, mathematics, computer science, physics, meteorology, oceanography, and science. Specific cognate courses must be approved by the advisor and department head.
Bachelor of Arts Degree Programs
Earth Science Major
The Earth Science major requires a minimum of 120 total hours to graduate. This total includes Liberal Arts Core requirements and the following specified major requirements, plus electives to complete the minimum of 120 hours. Liberal Arts Core courses included in major program requirements are distinguished by italics.
Required: |
|
4 hours |
|
4 hours |
|
15 hours |
|
4 hours |
|
Electives in earth science: 100-level courses** |
18 hours |
Total |
45 hours |
*870:010 must be taken for four semester hours of credit.
**100-level credits in earth science must include at least one course from each of astronomy, geology, and meteorology. In addition, at least 2 hours must be from either 870:137, 870:179, 870:180, 870:195, or another appropriate experiential learning course approved by the student=s advisor and the department head.
Earth Science Major - Interpretive Naturalist Emphasis
The Earth Science major Interpretive Naturalist emphasis requires a minimum of 120 total hours to graduate. This total includes Liberal Arts Core requirements and the following specified major requirements, plus electives to complete the minimum of 120 hours. Liberal Arts Core courses included in major program requirements are distinguished by italics.
This program is designed to prepare students with an earth science background to work as professional interpreters with park systems, nature centers, museums, and other areas requiring field skills and communication skills in the natural sciences and natural history. The B.A. Earth Science degree provides students a sound subject matter foundation in geology, meteorology, and astronomy. The emphasis enhances this background with biology and interpretive techniques.
Required: |
|
4 hours |
|
Chemistry and Biochemistry: 860:044 |
4 hours |
15 hours |
|
11 hours |
|
Physics: 880:054 |
4 hours |
Biology Natural History Interpretation Minor |
18-20 hours |
Total |
67-69 |
*870:010 must be taken for four semester hours of credit.
**Electives must include one course from each of astronomy, geology, and meteorology.
Earth Science Major-Teaching
The Earth Science-Teaching major requires a minimum of 120-121 total hours to graduate. This total includes Liberal Arts Core requirements , the Professional Education Requirements and the following specified major requirements, plus electives to complete the minimum of 120-121 hours. Liberal Arts Core courses included in major program requirements are distinguished by italics.
Required: |
|
8 hour |
|
Chemistry and Biochemistry: 860:044 and 860:048, or 860:0705 |
8 hours |
Earth Science: 870:010*; 870:021; 870:022; 870:031; 870:035; 870:121 |
20 hours |
8 hours |
|
Electives in earth science: 100-level courses (excluding 870:186, 870:189, 870:191, 870:195, and 870:198) |
6 hours |
Total |
47-50 hours |
*870:010 must be taken for four semester hours of credit.
Geology Major With Environmental Science Emphasis
The Geology major with Environmental Science emphasis requires a minimum of 120 total hours to graduate. This total includes Liberal Arts Core requirements and the following specified major requirements, plus electives to complete the minimum of 120 hours. Liberal Arts Core courses included in major program requirements are distinguished by italics.
Required: |
|
Mathematics: one of the following courses: 800:046; 800:060; 800:072; 800:092; or 800:172 |
3-4 hours |
Chemistry and Biochemistry: 860:044 and 860:048, or 860:0705 |
8 hours |
Earth Science: 870:031; 870:035; 870:129; 870:130; 870:131; 870:135; 870:136 |
24 hours |
8 hours |
|
Economics: 920:024 |
3 hours |
Required environmental science core: |
8 hours |
Earth Science: 870:171 |
8 hours |
Two additional environmental courses as appropriate to the student program and approved by the advisor and department head 6-8 hours Summer field course* |
|
6 hours |
|
*Summer field course requirements to be met by credit earned at field camp approved by the department.
Geology Major
The B.A. Geology major requires a minimum of 120 total hours to graduate. This total includes Liberal Arts Core requirements and the following specified major requirements, plus electives to complete the minimum of 120 hours. Liberal Arts Core courses included in major program requirements are distinguished by italics.
Required: |
|
Mathematics: one of the following courses: 800:046; 800:060; 800:072; 800:092; or 800:172 |
3-4 hours |
Chemistry and Biochemistry: 860:044 and 860:048, or 860:070 5 |
8 hours |
Earth Science: 870:031; 870:035; 870:129; 870:130; 870:131; 870:135; 870:136 |
24 hours |
8 hours |
Summer field course* |
6 hours |
Electives in geology (100-level) |
4 hours |
Total |
50-54 hours |
*Summer field course requirements to be met by credit earned at field camp approved by the department.
Recommended general electives - Mathematics: 800:060; 800:061.
Minors
Astronomy Minor
Liberal Arts Core courses included in minor program requirements are distinguished by italics.
Required |
|
8 hours
|
|
Earth Science: 870:010*; 870:151; 870:152 or 870:153; 870:154 |
|
10 hours |
|
8 hours |
|
Total |
26 hours |
*870:010 must be taken for four semester hours of credit.
Earth Science Minor
Liberal Arts Core courses included in minor program requirements are distinguished by italics.
Required: courses in earth science..........................20 hours
Earth Science Minor-Teaching
Liberal Arts Core courses included in minor program requirements are distinguished by italics.
Required: |
|
Chemistry and Biochemistry: 860:044 |
4 hours |
16 hours |
|
Physics: 880:054 |
4 hours |
Total |
24 hours |
Also required: a teaching major or minor in biology, chemistry, physics, or science.
Completion of this minor will satisfy the requirements of the Iowa Department of Education for Earth Science approval (effective October 1, 1988) only if the student has completed 30 semester hours in the broad area of science.
*870:010 must be taken for four semester hours of credit.
Geology Minor
Liberal Arts Core courses included in minor program requirements are distinguished by italics.
Required |
|
Chemistry and Biochemistry: 860:044 |
4 hours |
Earth Science: 870:031; 870:035; 870:125 or 870:136; 870:129 or 870:141; 870:130; 870:131; 4-5 hours of 100-level electives in geology |
24 hours |
Total |
28 hours |
Meteorology Minor
Liberal Arts Core courses included in minor program requirements are distinguished by italics.
Required |
|
Mathematics: 800:060 |
4 hours |
Chemistry and Biochemistry: 860:044 |
4 hours |
14 hours |
|
Physics: 880:054 |
4 hours |
3 hours |
|
Total |
29 hours |
Recommended general electives - Mathematics: 800:061; 800:062.