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Earth Sciences B.S.

Information and Policies

Introduction

The bachelor of science (B.S.) program is designed for students who intend to pursue professional careers in Earth and planetary sciences, engineering, policy, law, teaching, or business or who otherwise desire the broad, quantitative training available at UC Santa Cruz. In addition to providing comprehensive preparation in the basic physical sciences, and particular breadth and depth in Earth and planetary sciences, the curriculum is structured to prepare students for the competitive graduate school and career marketplace.

The core of the major includes calculus, physics, chemistry, and a group of comprehensive Earth and planetary sciences courses. For the standard B.S., students then select at least six additional courses from a diverse list of upper-division electives, with at least two that involve significant laboratory or field data acquisition and analysis. These electives, often in combination with additional upper-division courses from this and related departments, provide the student with expertise in one or more subdisciplines within Earth sciences.

Elective distributions can be designed to emphasize earthquake and faulting studies, Earth surface processes, Earth system sciences, geologic hazards, geology, crustal and deep-Earth geophysics, marine geophysics, and water resources. Four formal concentrations, all with specific course requirements and leading to an Earth and planetary sciences B.S., are available: geology, environmental geology, ocean sciences, and planetary sciences. A senior comprehensive experience (senior thesis, geologic field camp, or intensive capstone course) is required of all majors.

Academic Advising for the Program

A student who wants to become an Earth sciences major should contact the Earth and Planetary Sciences Department undergraduate staff adviser, epsadvising@ucsc.edu, as soon as possible. Students will submit a declaration of major petition, and are required to meet with the undergraduate adviser to plan their program in detail. Relevant courses taken at UC Santa Cruz or other institutions may be substituted for degree requirements by approved petition. Please see the undergraduate adviser for the substitution petition form and more information about this process. Transfer students should consult the Transfer Information and Policy section for more detailed information about academic advising.

Getting Started in the Major

Welcome! Now that you are a registered freshman, the following information is your guide to getting started in your Earth sciences major.

All freshmen are required to complete summer orientation, for more information visit Campus Orientation Programs. As a reference, we provide an online freshmen orientation that includes everything you need to know to get started on your Earth science major. If you have already attended orientation and simply need a refresher on getting enrolled, see our Freshmen Enrollment Guide

Students with advanced placement credit must provide Admissions an official copy of your test score.  You can verify your Advanced Placement (AP) examinations credit in your MyUCSC portal. For information on how your AP credit applies to your enrollment and your major, see our advanced placement credit page. If you have taken a college-level course that you would like credit for, you must send an official transcript to Admissions.  If you wish to have that same course applied toward your major requirements, send an unofficial copy of your transcripts to epsadvising@ucsc.edu.

If you have already been admitted to UC Santa Cruz as a transfer student, our transfer orientation provides instructions on how to transfer your coursework to UC Santa Cruz, the advising and support available, and how to enroll. Our online transfer orientation provides all the critical information you need to transition to UC Santa Cruz and begin your major coursework.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students graduating with a B.S. in Earth and planetary sciences (all concentrations) should be able to:

  1. understand the processes governing the properties and evolution of Earth's interior and surface;
  2. identify rocks and minerals, and describe their connection to geologic processes;
  3. utilize algebraic mathematical tools to quantitatively address questions in the geosciences; and
  4. write in a clear, organized, and logical fashion using disciplinary standards for reporting and citation.

Major Qualification Policy and Declaration Process

Major Qualification

Transfer students should consult the Transfer and Information Policy section for information about major qualification.

To qualify for the Earth sciences B.S. (including all concentrations within the major), a student must complete (with a minimum grade of C) one of the following introductory courses in physical geology:

EART 5California Geology

5

EART 10Geologic Principles

5

EART 20Environmental Geology

5

Transfer students may take an approved substitution for one of the above courses and should consult assist.org for equivalencies.

Appeal Process

Students who are informed that they are not eligible to declare the major may appeal by submitting a letter to the Earth and Planetary Sciences adviser within 15 days from the date the notification was sent. Within 15 days of receipt of the appeal, the department will notify the student and their affiliated college of the decision.

How to Declare a Major

Students who qualify start the declaration process by scheduling an appointment with the department staff adviser. You must consult with the department’s undergraduate staff adviser to discuss options for the degree and coursework priorities before you start the process of officially declaring your major.

Transfer Information and Policy

Transfer Admission Screening Policy

Students planning to apply in this major are not required to complete specific courses for consideration of admission to UC Santa Cruz.

The Earth and Planetary Sciences Department welcomes applications from transfer students who are prepared to enter as Earth Sciences majors. Students should reference assist.org to determine course equivalencies.

Transfer students planning to major in Earth and planetary sciences are recommended to complete equivalents to as many of the the following lower-division pre-requisite courses (including the associated laboratory components) as possible:

CHEM 1AGeneral Chemistry

5

CHEM 1BGeneral Chemistry

5

CHEM 1MGeneral Chemistry Laboratory

2

CHEM 1CGeneral Chemistry

5

CHEM 1NGeneral Chemistry Laboratory

2

Plus one of the following options:
Either these courses

MATH 11ACalculus with Applications

5

MATH 11BCalculus with Applications

5

or these courses

MATH 19ACalculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics

5

MATH 19BCalculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics

5

Plus all of the following courses:
PHYS 6AIntroductory Physics I

5

PHYS 6LIntroductory Physics I Laboratory

1

PHYS 6BIntroductory Physics II

5

PHYS 6MIntroductory Physics II Laboratory

1

Plus one of the following options:
Either these courses

EART 5California Geology

5

EART 5LCalifornia Geology Laboratory

1

or these courses

EART 10Geologic Principles

5

EART 10LGeologic Principles Laboratory

1

or these courses

EART 20Environmental Geology

5

EART 20LEnvironmental Geology Laboratory

1

Transfer students planning on attending UC Santa Cruz to pursue an Earth and Planetary Sciences major should contact the undergraduate adviser for transfer preparation information and reference assist.org to determine which courses are equivalent to these courses. Having completed as much of this coursework as possible prior to transferring allows students greater flexibility in scheduling and completing their major.

Getting Started at UCSC as a Transfer Student

Whether you are planning for your future transfer or are already admitted to UC Santa Cruz, we aim to provide our transfer students the information and support needed to successfully complete a science degree at UCSC. 

Once you have submitted your intent to register at UC Santa Cruz, here is a step-by-step guide to transferring your coursework and enrolling:

  1. Confirm you are a proposed Earth sciences major. If you are not sure of your status, log on to your MyUCSC portal to view your proposed major. If your major is proposed Earth sciences you are all set. If the proposed major listed is not Earth Sciences, you will need to meet with the adviser for Earth Sciences.
  2. Once your courses have been articulated, you will receive an email from our office. This email will include information on how your coursework articulated, suggestions for Fall enrollment, and invite you to make an appointment to talk with your major adviser.
  3. Make an appointment to talk to an adviser. Your confirmation email will include instructions for scheduling an advising appointment. Appointments are available either by phone or in person.
  4. Participate in Transfer Orientation and Welcome Week. Transfer Orientation provides instructions on how to transfer your coursework to UCSC, the advising and support available, and how to enroll. Our online transfer orientation provides all the critical information you need to transition to UCSC and begin your major coursework.
    The department also hosts a transfer student welcome in the fall that provides new transfer students an opportunity to meet other transfer students, familiarize themselves with the campus and the available resources. Welcome Week includes presentations on the Earth sciences majors, including an overview of the field courses offered and an introduction on how to get involved in undergraduate research.
  5. Declaring the Earth Sciences major. In order to declare the Earth sciences major transfer students must complete EART 5, or EART 10 or EART 20 or an approved equivalent course  (with a C or better) and meet with the Earth and Planetary Sciences Department adviser by the declaration deadline.

Letter Grade Policy

All courses used to satisfy requirements for any of the Earth and planetary science majors must be taken for a letter grade with the exception of the following courses, which may be taken Pass/No Pass: EART 195 Senior Thesis, EART 198 Internship, EART 199 Tutorial. Combined majors (Earth sciences/anthropology and Earth sciences/environmental studies) are currently exempt from this policy.

Course Substitution Policy

Relevant courses taken at UC Santa Cruz or other institutions may be substituted for degree requirements by approved petition. Please see the undergraduate adviser for the substitution petition form and more information about this process.

Honors

Honors in the major (all concentrations) and in the combined major with anthropology are determined by a review of grades (typically 3.50 or above) at the time a student applies for graduation. A faculty committee makes the decision based on the quality of all coursework, but especially in the courses required for the major. Extra coursework or independent study as well as more intensive or rigorous coursework and the quality of a capstone project may also be taken into consideration. Honors in the combined major with environmental studies are evaluated by the Environmental Studies Department. Highest honors may also be awarded in exceptional cases when a student’s overall grade point average (GPA) is above 3.75 and performance in the senior capstone requirement is equally outstanding. The department reserves the right to withhold honors and highest honors based on other criteria, such as an incident of academic dishonesty.

Honors on the senior thesis are determined independently of major honors, and must be approved by two faculty readers.

Standard Earth Sciences Major

Course Requirements

Lower-Division Courses

All of the following courses:
CHEM 1AGeneral Chemistry

5

CHEM 1BGeneral Chemistry

5

CHEM 1MGeneral Chemistry Laboratory

2

CHEM 1CGeneral Chemistry

5

CHEM 1NGeneral Chemistry Laboratory

2

Plus one of the following options:
Either these courses

MATH 11ACalculus with Applications

5

MATH 11BCalculus with Applications

5

or these courses

MATH 19ACalculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics

5

MATH 19BCalculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics

5

or these courses

AM 15ACase-Study Calculus I

5

AM 15BCase-Study Calculus II

5

Plus one of the following courses:
MATH 22Introduction to Calculus of Several Variables

5

MATH 23AVector Calculus

5

EART 111Mathematics in the Earth Sciences

5

EART 119Introductory Computer Programming for Geoscientists

5

EART 125Statistics and Data Analysis in the Geosciences

5

Students that have completed a prior course in programming or statistics may petition for equivalency. 

Plus all of the following courses:
PHYS 6AIntroductory Physics I

5

PHYS 6LIntroductory Physics I Laboratory

1

PHYS 6BIntroductory Physics II

5

PHYS 6MIntroductory Physics II Laboratory

1

Plus one of the following options:
Either these courses

EART 5California Geology

5

EART 5LCalifornia Geology Laboratory

1

or these courses

EART 10Geologic Principles

5

EART 10LGeologic Principles Laboratory

1

or these courses

EART 20Environmental Geology

5

EART 20LEnvironmental Geology Laboratory

1

Upper-Division Courses

All of the following courses:
EART 110AEvolution of the Earth

5

EART 110LEvolution of the Earth Laboratory

2

EART 110BEarth as a Chemical System

5

EART 110MEarth as a Chemical System Laboratory

2

EART 110CThe Dynamic Earth

5

EART 110NThe Dynamic Earth Laboratory

2

Two field/laboratory/data analysis

Lecture/lab combinations count as one course. The following courses satisfy this requirement:

EART 107Remote Sensing of the Environment

5

EART 109Elements of Field Geology

5

EART 109LField Geology Laboratory

2

EART 116Hydrology

5

EART 119Introductory Computer Programming for Geoscientists

5

EART 120Sedimentology and Stratigraphy

5

EART 120LSedimentology and Stratigraphy Laboratory

2

EART 125Statistics and Data Analysis in the Geosciences

5

EART 130Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology

5

EART 130LIgneous and Metamorphic Petrology Laboratory

2

EART 135LPractical Geochemistry

5

EART 140Geomorphology

5

EART 140LGeomorphology Laboratory

2

EART 142Engineering Geology for Environmental Scientists

5

EART 146Groundwater

5

EART 148Glaciology

5

EART 150Structural Geology

5

EART 150LStructural Geology Laboratory

2

EART 189AGeographic Information Systems with Applications in Earth Sciences

5

EART 189BSummer Field Study

5

EART 191CPractical Geophysics

5

Courses used to satisfy the senior comprehensive requirement cannot be used to satisfy this requirement.

Electives

At least four additional upper-division elective courses from Earth sciences or ocean sciences offerings must be completed. Students are encouraged to take more than the minimum number of elective courses and may craft an elective distribution from many areas of specific research and career interests.

EART 196B and EART 198 may not be used to satisfy this requirement.

No more than one quarter of EART 199 may be used to satisfy this requirement.

Lecture/lab combinations count as one course.

Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement

Students of every major must satisfy that major’s upper-division disciplinary communication (DC) general education requirement. Students in the Earth Sciences B.S. major must complete a minimum of two (2) courses from the list of courses that in combination satisfies the DC general education requirement. Courses taken to satisfy the DC requirement may also satisfy upper-division elective or senior comprehensive requirements. Consult one of the Earth and planetary sciences advisers for the most up-to-date list of scheduled classes. Currently the list (subject to change) consists of:

EART 100Vertebrate Paleontology

5

EART 101Invertebrate Paleobiology

5

EART 102Marine Geology

5

EART 104Geologic Hazards

5

EART 109Elements of Field Geology

5

EART 120Sedimentology and Stratigraphy

5

EART 140Geomorphology

5

EART 146Groundwater

5

EART 148Glaciology

5

EART 150Structural Geology

5

EART 160Planetary Science

5

EART 189BSummer Field Study

5

EART 191AClimate Change Science and Policy

5

EART 195Senior Thesis

5

Comprehensive Requirement

All students must satisfy the senior comprehensive requirement. The intent of this requirement is to synthesize knowledge and skills from a student’s undergraduate career. Therefore, prior to completing an activity to satisfy the senior comprehensive requirement, students should have already completed EART 110A, one of EART 110B or EART 110C, and three other upper-division courses that fulfill major requirements. Students should consult an adviser if they have any questions about the timing of their proposed comprehensive requirement activity.

Note: Courses used to satisfy the senior comprehensive requirement cannot be used to satisfy the upper-division elective requirement or the field/laboratory/data analysis requirement.

To satisfy the comprehensive requirement, each student in these majors must complete one of the following options:

Satisfactory completion of Summer Field
EART 189AGeographic Information Systems with Applications in Earth Sciences

5

EART 189BSummer Field Study

5

Satisfactory completion of a senior thesis

A senior thesis must include a significant element of independent research or original work and can only be undertaken after an agreement is obtained from a faculty member to supervise it. It is recommended that students allocate three quarters for the thesis process.

Students may take EART 199, Independent Study, as part of performing the research for their senior thesis. It is required that each student enroll in and pass EART 195: Senior Thesis, in the academic quarter during which they complete their thesis.

EART 195Senior Thesis

5

Satisfactory completion of one of the following capstone course offerings:
EART 191AClimate Change Science and Policy

5

EART 191BPlanetary Capstone

5

EART 191CPractical Geophysics

5

Capstone course offerings vary year to year. If you are interested in completing a capstone course please contact the Earth sciences adviser.

Other Options

Other options such as external field research experiences or internships may be suitable by permission of the faculty adviser.

Please meet with an adviser if you have an idea to propose.

Planners

Students planning a professional career in the Earth and planetary sciences should take more than the minimum number of courses required for the major if possible. Four-year students have ample flexibility to take additional electives if they begin with the required courses in their second year. Junior transfers also have flexibility if they have taken most of their preparatory courses in calculus, chemistry, and physics before entry. Further advice can be obtained from the undergraduate adviser and from faculty members.

Sample Four-Year Planner

Year Fall Winter Spring
1st (frosh) CHEM 1A MATH 11A or MATH 19A EART 10 & EART 10L
  CHEM 1B & CHEM 1M MATH 11B 
or MATH 19B
    CHEM 1C & CHEM 1N
2nd (soph) EART 110A & EART 110L* EART 110B & EART 110M* PHYS 6B & PHYS 6M
MATH 23A or EART 111 PHYS 6A & PHYS 6L  
     
3rd (junior) EART elective EART elective EART 110C & EART 110N
    EART elective
     
4th (senior) EART elective EART elective EART 189A*
or senior thesis
(sr thesis only)
EART 199
(sr thesis only)
EART 199
(EART 195)†
EART elective    

In addition to the specific courses shown in these planners, a student must complete courses satisfying the CC, ER, IM, SR, and TA general education requirements.

*Students who wish to complete their capstone with EART 189A and EART 189B should be aware that the following courses are prerequisites: EART 109 and EART 109L, EART 110A and EART 110L, and EART 110B and EART 110M. Students must also complete EART 189B in summer to fulfill the summer field capstone.

†Students expecting to write a senior thesis for their comprehensive requirement are required to contact the department at least three quarters before graduation to identify the intended project and faculty adviser. Senior theses usually require at least two or three quarters for completion.

Sample Transfer (Two-Year) Planner

This planner assumes that students have completed all lower-division requirements, other than PHYS 6A and PHYS 6L, PHYS 6B and PHYS 6M, and advanced math.

Year Fall Winter Spring
1st (junior) EART 111 PHYS 6A & PHYS 6L PHYS 6B & PHYS 6M
EART 110A & EART 110L EART 110B & EART 110M EART 110C & EART 110N
     
2nd (senior) EART elective EART elective EART elective
EART elective EART elective EART elective
(Sr thesis only)
EART 199
(Sr thesis only) 
EART 199
EART 189A
or senior thesis
(EART 195)†

*Students who wish to complete their capstone with EART 189A and EART 189B should be aware that the following courses are prerequisites: EART 109 and EART 109L, EART 110A and EART 110L, and EART 110B and EART 110M. Students must also complete EART 189B in summer to fulfill the summer field capstone.

†Students expecting to write a senior thesis for their comprehensive requirement are required to contact the department at least three quarters before graduation to identify the intended project and faculty adviser. Senior theses usually require at least two or three quarters for completion.

Geology Concentration

Course Requirements

Lower-Division Courses

All of the following courses:
CHEM 1AGeneral Chemistry

5

CHEM 1BGeneral Chemistry

5

CHEM 1MGeneral Chemistry Laboratory

2

CHEM 1CGeneral Chemistry

5

CHEM 1NGeneral Chemistry Laboratory

2

Plus one of the following options:
Either these courses

MATH 11ACalculus with Applications

5

MATH 11BCalculus with Applications

5

or these courses

MATH 19ACalculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics

5

MATH 19BCalculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics

5

or these courses

AM 15ACase-Study Calculus I

5

AM 15BCase-Study Calculus II

5

Plus all of the following courses:
PHYS 6AIntroductory Physics I

5

PHYS 6LIntroductory Physics I Laboratory

1

PHYS 6BIntroductory Physics II

5

PHYS 6MIntroductory Physics II Laboratory

1

Plus one of the following options:
Either these courses

EART 5California Geology

5

EART 5LCalifornia Geology Laboratory

1

or these courses

EART 10Geologic Principles

5

EART 10LGeologic Principles Laboratory

1

or these courses

EART 20Environmental Geology

5

EART 20LEnvironmental Geology Laboratory

1

Upper-Division Courses

All of the following courses:
EART 109Elements of Field Geology

5

EART 109LField Geology Laboratory

2

EART 110AEvolution of the Earth

5

EART 110LEvolution of the Earth Laboratory

2

EART 110BEarth as a Chemical System

5

EART 110MEarth as a Chemical System Laboratory

2

EART 110CThe Dynamic Earth

5

EART 110NThe Dynamic Earth Laboratory

2

EART 120Sedimentology and Stratigraphy

5

EART 120LSedimentology and Stratigraphy Laboratory

2

EART 150Structural Geology

5

EART 150LStructural Geology Laboratory

2

Geology Elective: One of the following:

Where the lab course follows a lecture course the pair of courses counts as a single course.

EART 100Vertebrate Paleontology

5

EART 100LVertebrate Paleontology Laboratory

2

EART 101Invertebrate Paleobiology

5

EART 101LInvertebrate Paleobiology Laboratory

1

EART 140Geomorphology

5

EART 140LGeomorphology Laboratory

2

EART 142Engineering Geology for Environmental Scientists

5

EART 146Groundwater

5

Electives

At least two additional upper-division elective courses (5+ credits each) from Earth sciences or ocean sciences offerings must be completed. Students are encouraged to take more than the minimum number of elective courses and may craft an elective distribution from many areas of specific research and career interests.

EART 196B and EART 198 may not be used to satisfy this requirement.

No more than one quarter of EART 199 may be used to satisfy this requirement.

Lecture/lab combinations count as one course.

Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement

Students of every major must satisfy that major’s upper-division disciplinary communication (DC) general education requirement. Students in the Earth Sciences B.S. major must complete a minimum of two (2) courses from the list of courses that in combination satisfies the DC general education requirement. Courses taken to satisfy the DC requirement may also satisfy upper-division elective or senior comprehensive requirements. Consult one of the Earth and planetary sciences advisers for the most up-to-date list of scheduled classes. Currently the list (subject to change) consists of:

EART 100Vertebrate Paleontology

5

EART 101Invertebrate Paleobiology

5

EART 102Marine Geology

5

EART 104Geologic Hazards

5

EART 109Elements of Field Geology

5

EART 120Sedimentology and Stratigraphy

5

EART 140Geomorphology

5

EART 146Groundwater

5

EART 148Glaciology

5

EART 150Structural Geology

5

EART 160Planetary Science

5

EART 189BSummer Field Study

5

EART 191AClimate Change Science and Policy

5

EART 195Senior Thesis

5

Comprehensive Requirement

All students must satisfy the senior comprehensive requirement.

The intent of this requirement is to synthesize knowledge and skills from a student’s undergraduate career and to provide the instructional hours in the field needed to prepare students for the California professional geologist licensing requirements. Therefore, prior to completing an activity to satisfy the senior comprehensive requirement, students should have already completed EART 110A, one of EART 110B or EART 110C, and three other upper-division courses that fulfill major requirements. Students should consult an adviser if they have any questions about the timing of their proposed comprehensive requirement activity.

Note: Courses used to satisfy the senior comprehensive requirement cannot also be used to fulfill the upper-division elective requirement.

To do so, each student in the geology concentration must complete:

Satisfactory completion of Summer Field
EART 189AGeographic Information Systems with Applications in Earth Sciences

5

EART 189BSummer Field Study

5

Planners

Students planning a professional career in the Earth and planetary sciences should take more than the minimum number of courses required for the major if possible. Four-year students have ample flexibility to take additional electives if they begin with the required courses in their second year. Junior transfers also have flexibility if they have taken most of their preparatory courses in calculus, chemistry, and physics before entry. Further advice can be obtained from the undergraduate adviser and from faculty members.

Sample Four-Year Planner

Year Fall Winter Spring
1st (frosh) CHEM 1A MATH 11A or MATH 19A CHEM 1C & CHEM 1N
EART 5 & EART 5L CHEM 1B & CHEM 1M MATH 11B or MATH 19B
     
2nd (soph) EART 110A & EART 100L EART 110B & EART 110M EART 109 & EART 109L
  PHYS 6A & PHYS 6L PHYS 6B & PHYS 6M
     
3rd (junior) Upper-division elective Geology  elective EART 110C & EART 110N
    EART 120 & EART 120L
     
4th (senior) EART 150 & EART 150L Upper-division elective EART 189A*
     
     

* Students must also complete EART 189B in summer to fulfill the summer field capstone.

Sample Two-Year Planner

This planner assumes that students have completed all lower-division requirements other PHYS 6A and PHYS 6L, PHYS 6B and PHYS 6M, and advanced math.

Year Fall Winter Spring
1st (junior) Geology elective PHYS 6A & PHYS 6L PHYS 6B & PHYS 6M
EART 110A & EART 110L EART 110B & EART 110M EART 109 & EART 109L
     
2nd (senior) EART 150 & EART 150L Upper-division elective EART 120 & EART 120L
  Upper-division elective EART 110C & EART 110N
    EART 189A*

*Students must also complete EART 189B in summer to fulfill the summer field capstone.

Planetary Sciences Concentration

The planetary sciences concentration is designed to provide students with a quantitative background appropriate for career pathways in the interdisciplinary study of planets and their satellites. The upper-division elective courses can be tailored for students interested in planetary interiors, atmospheres, and/or surfaces.

Course Requirements

Lower-Division Courses

Choose one of the following options:
Either these courses

EART 10Geologic Principles

5

EART 10LGeologic Principles Laboratory

1

or these courses

EART 5California Geology

5

EART 5LCalifornia Geology Laboratory

1

or these courses

EART 20Environmental Geology

5

EART 20LEnvironmental Geology Laboratory

1

Plus all of the following courses:
CHEM 1AGeneral Chemistry

5

CHEM 1BGeneral Chemistry

5

CHEM 1MGeneral Chemistry Laboratory

2

CHEM 1CGeneral Chemistry

5

CHEM 1NGeneral Chemistry Laboratory

2

PHYS 6AIntroductory Physics I

5

PHYS 6LIntroductory Physics I Laboratory

1

PHYS 6BIntroductory Physics II

5

PHYS 6MIntroductory Physics II Laboratory

1

Plus one of the following options:
Either these courses

MATH 19ACalculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics

5

MATH 19BCalculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics

5

or these courses

MATH 11ACalculus with Applications

5

MATH 11BCalculus with Applications

5

or these courses

AM 15ACase-Study Calculus I

5

AM 15BCase-Study Calculus II

5

Plus one of the following courses:
MATH 22Introduction to Calculus of Several Variables

5

MATH 23AVector Calculus

5

EART 111Mathematics in the Earth Sciences

5

Upper-Division Courses

All of the following courses:
EART 110AEvolution of the Earth

5

EART 110LEvolution of the Earth Laboratory

2

EART 110BEarth as a Chemical System

5

EART 110MEarth as a Chemical System Laboratory

2

EART 110CThe Dynamic Earth

5

EART 110NThe Dynamic Earth Laboratory

2

EART 119Introductory Computer Programming for Geoscientists

5

EART 160Planetary Science

5

Plus one of the following:

One elective from the following planetary science courses:

EART 162Planetary Interiors

5

EART 163Planetary Surfaces

5

EART 164Planetary Atmospheres

5

EART 165History and Geochemistry of the Solar System

5

Electives

At least three electives  from upper-division Earth sciences, ocean sciences, astronomy, or mathematics must be completed. Students are encouraged to take more than the minimum number of elective courses and may craft an elective distribution from many areas of specific research and career interests.

EART 196B and EART 198 may not be used to satisfy this requirement.

No more than one quarter of EART 199 may be used to satisfy this requirement.

Lecture/lab combinations count as one course.

Choosing from the following list is recommended, but not mandatory.

EART 107Remote Sensing of the Environment

5

EART 109Elements of Field Geology

5

EART 109LField Geology Laboratory

2

EART 116Hydrology

5

EART 121The Atmosphere

5

EART 128Isotopes: Fundamentals and Applications in Earth and Marine Sciences

5

EART 130Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology

5

EART 130LIgneous and Metamorphic Petrology Laboratory

2

EART 140Geomorphology

5

EART 140LGeomorphology Laboratory

2

EART 148Glaciology

5

EART 150Structural Geology

5

EART 150LStructural Geology Laboratory

2

EART 152Tectonics

5

EART 162Planetary Interiors

5

EART 163Planetary Surfaces

5

EART 164Planetary Atmospheres

5

EART 165History and Geochemistry of the Solar System

5

EART 172
/OCEA 172
Geophysical Fluid Dynamics

5

ASTR 112Physics of Stars

5

ASTR 118Physics of Planetary Systems

5

MATH 130Celestial Mechanics

5

Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement

Students of every major must satisfy that major’s upper-division disciplinary communication (DC) general education requirement. Students in the Earth Sciences B.S. major must complete a minimum of two (2) courses from the list of courses that in combination satisfies the DC general education requirement. Courses taken to satisfy the DC requirement may also satisfy upper-division elective or senior comprehensive requirements. Consult one of the Earth and planetary sciences advisers for the most up-to-date list of scheduled classes. Currently the list (subject to change) consists of:

EART 100Vertebrate Paleontology

5

EART 101Invertebrate Paleobiology

5

EART 102Marine Geology

5

EART 104Geologic Hazards

5

EART 109Elements of Field Geology

5

EART 120Sedimentology and Stratigraphy

5

EART 140Geomorphology

5

EART 146Groundwater

5

EART 148Glaciology

5

EART 150Structural Geology

5

EART 160Planetary Science

5

EART 189BSummer Field Study

5

EART 191AClimate Change Science and Policy

5

EART 195Senior Thesis

5

Comprehensive Requirement

All students must satisfy the senior comprehensive requirement. The intent of this requirement is to synthesize knowledge and skills from a student’s undergraduate career. Therefore, prior to completing an activity to satisfy the senior comprehensive requirement, students should have already completed EART 110A, one of EART 110B or EART 110C, and three other upper-division courses that fulfill major requirements. Students should consult an adviser if they have any questions about the timing of their proposed comprehensive requirement activity.

Note: Courses used to satisfy the senior comprehensive requirement cannot also be used to fulfill the upper-division elective requirement.

To satisfy the comprehensive requirement, each student in these majors must complete one of the following options:

Satisfactory completion of Summer Field
EART 189AGeographic Information Systems with Applications in Earth Sciences

5

EART 189BSummer Field Study

5

Satisfactory completion of a senior thesis

A senior thesis must include a significant element of independent research or original work and can only be undertaken after an agreement is obtained from a faculty member to supervise it. It is recommended that students allocate three quarters for the thesis process.

Students may take EART 199: Independent Study, as part of performing the research for their senior thesis. It is required that each student enroll in and pass EART 195: Senior Thesis, in the academic quarter during which they complete their thesis.

Satisfactory completion of one of the following capstone course offerings:
EART 191AClimate Change Science and Policy

5

EART 191BPlanetary Capstone

5

EART 191CPractical Geophysics

5

Capstone course offerings vary year to year. If you are interested in completing a capstone course please contact the Earth sciences adviser.

Other options

Other options such as external field research experiences or internships may be suitable by permission of the faculty adviser.

Please meet with an adviser if you have an idea to propose.

Planners

Sample Four-Year Planner

Year Fall Winter Spring
1st (frosh) MATH 19A MATH 19B EART 10 & EART 10L
CHEM 1A CHEM 1B & CHEM 1M CHEM 1C & CHEM 1N
     
2nd (soph) EART 110A & EART 110L* EART 110B & EART 110M* EART 110C & EART 110N
PHYS 6A & PHYS 6L PHYS 6B & PHYS 6M EART elective
MATH 23A or
EART 111
   
3rd (junior) EART 160 EART 119 EART elective
     
     
4th (senior) (Sr thesis only)
EART 199
(Sr thesis only)
EART 199
Sr thesis
(EART 195)†
or EART 189A*
  EART 162 EART elective
     

*Students who wish to complete their capstone with EART 189A and EART 189B should be aware that the following courses are prerequisites: EART 109 and EART 109L, EART 110A and EART 110L, and EART 110B and EART 110M. Students must also complete EART 189B in summer to fulfill the summer field capstone.

† Students expecting to write a senior thesis for their comprehensive requirement are required to contact the department at least three quarters before graduation to identify the intended project and faculty adviser. Senior theses usually require two or three quarters for completion.

Sample Two-Year Planner

This planner assumes that students have completed all lower-division requirements other than PHYS 6A and PHYS 6L, PHYS 6B and PHYS 6M, and advanced math.

Year Fall Winter Spring
1st (junior) EART 111 PHYS 6A & PHYS 6L PHYS 6B & PHYS 6M
EART 110A & EART 110L* EART 110B & EART 110M* EART 110C & EART 110N
     
2nd (senior) EART 160 EART 162 EART 119
EART elective EART elective EART elective
(Sr thesis only)
EART 199
(Sr thesis only)
EART 199
EART 189A*
or sr thesis
(EART 195)†

*Students who wish to complete their capstone with EART 189A and EART 189B should be aware that the following courses are prerequisites: EART 109 and EART 109L, EART 110A and EART 110L, and EART 110B and EART 110M. Students must also complete EART 189B in summer to fulfill the summer field capstone.

†Students expecting to write a senior thesis for their comprehensive requirement are required to contact the department at least three quarters before graduation to identify the intended project and faculty adviser. Senior theses usually require at least two or three quarters for completion.

Ocean Sciences Concentration

The ocean sciences concentration is intended to provide quantitative preparation for career pathways that include oceanography and biogeochemistry. Additional biology and chemistry courses are required for this concentration along with other distributions of upper-division requirements and electives.

Course Requirements

Lower-Division Courses

Choose one of the following options:
Either these courses

EART 5California Geology

5

EART 5LCalifornia Geology Laboratory

1

or these courses

EART 10Geologic Principles

5

EART 10LGeologic Principles Laboratory

1

or these courses

EART 20Environmental Geology

5

EART 20LEnvironmental Geology Laboratory

1

Plus all of the following courses:

Where the lab course follows a lecture course the pair of courses counts as a single course.

BIOE 20CEcology and Evolution

5

CHEM 1AGeneral Chemistry

5

CHEM 1BGeneral Chemistry

5

CHEM 1MGeneral Chemistry Laboratory

2

CHEM 1CGeneral Chemistry

5

CHEM 1NGeneral Chemistry Laboratory

2

PHYS 6AIntroductory Physics I

5

PHYS 6LIntroductory Physics I Laboratory

1

PHYS 6BIntroductory Physics II

5

PHYS 6MIntroductory Physics II Laboratory

1

Plus one of the following options:
Either these courses

MATH 11ACalculus with Applications

5

MATH 11BCalculus with Applications

5

or these courses

MATH 19ACalculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics

5

MATH 19BCalculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics

5

or these courses

AM 15ACase-Study Calculus I

5

AM 15BCase-Study Calculus II

5

Plus one of the following courses:
MATH 22Introduction to Calculus of Several Variables

5

MATH 23AVector Calculus

5

EART 111Mathematics in the Earth Sciences

5

Upper-Division Courses

All of the following courses:
EART 110AEvolution of the Earth

5

EART 110LEvolution of the Earth Laboratory

2

EART 110BEarth as a Chemical System

5

EART 110MEarth as a Chemical System Laboratory

2

EART 110CThe Dynamic Earth

5

EART 110NThe Dynamic Earth Laboratory

2

Plus one of the following courses:
OCEA 101The Marine Environment

5

OCEA 102Oceans and Climate: Past, Present, and Future

5

Electives

At least four elective courses from upper-division Earth sciences or ocean sciences offerings must be completed. Students are encouraged to take more than the minimum number of elective courses and may craft an elective distribution from many areas of specific research and career interests.

EART 196B and EART 198 may not be used to satisfy this requirement.

No more than one quarter of EART 199 may be used to satisfy this requirement.

Lecture/lab combinations count as one course.

Choosing from the following list is recommended, but not mandatory:

EART 101Invertebrate Paleobiology

5

EART 101LInvertebrate Paleobiology Laboratory

1

EART 102Marine Geology

5

EART 105Coastal Geology

5

EART 107Remote Sensing of the Environment

5

EART 109Elements of Field Geology

5

EART 109LField Geology Laboratory

2

EART 111Mathematics in the Earth Sciences

5

EART 116Hydrology

5

EART 119Introductory Computer Programming for Geoscientists

5

EART 120Sedimentology and Stratigraphy

5

EART 120LSedimentology and Stratigraphy Laboratory

2

EART 121The Atmosphere

5

EART 128Isotopes: Fundamentals and Applications in Earth and Marine Sciences

5

EART 130Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology

5

EART 130LIgneous and Metamorphic Petrology Laboratory

2

EART 148Glaciology

5

EART 172
/OCEA 172
Geophysical Fluid Dynamics

5

OCEA 100Physical Oceanography

5

OCEA 101The Marine Environment

5

OCEA 102Oceans and Climate: Past, Present, and Future

5

OCEA 111Climate Dynamics

5

OCEA 118Marine Microbial Ecology

5

OCEA 120Aquatic Chemistry: Principles and Applications

5

OCEA 121Aqueous Geochemistry

5

OCEA 122Chemical Oceanography

5

OCEA 124Aquatic Organic Geochemistry

5

OCEA 130Biological Oceanography

5

Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement

Students of every major must satisfy that major’s upper-division disciplinary communication (DC) general education requirement. Students in the Earth Sciences B.S. major must complete a minimum of two (2) courses from the list of courses that in combination satisfies the DC general education requirement. Courses taken to satisfy the DC requirement may also satisfy upper-division elective or senior comprehensive requirements. Consult one of the Earth and planetary sciences advisers for the most up-to-date list of scheduled classes. Currently the list (subject to change) consists of:

EART 100Vertebrate Paleontology

5

EART 101Invertebrate Paleobiology

5

EART 102Marine Geology

5

EART 104Geologic Hazards

5

EART 109Elements of Field Geology

5

EART 120Sedimentology and Stratigraphy

5

EART 140Geomorphology

5

EART 146Groundwater

5

EART 148Glaciology

5

EART 150Structural Geology

5

EART 160Planetary Science

5

EART 189BSummer Field Study

5

EART 191AClimate Change Science and Policy

5

EART 195Senior Thesis

5

Comprehensive Requirement

All students must satisfy the senior comprehensive requirement. The intent of this requirement is to synthesize knowledge and skills from a student’s undergraduate career. Therefore, prior to completing an activity to satisfy the senior comprehensive requirement, students should have already completed EART 110A, one of EART 110B or EART 110C, and three other upper-division courses that fulfill major requirements. Students should consult an adviser if they have any questions about the timing of their proposed comprehensive requirement activity.

Note: Courses used to satisfy the senior comprehensive requirement cannot also be used to fulfill the upper-division elective requirement.

To satisfy the comprehensive requirement, each student in these majors must complete one of the following options:

Satisfactory completeion of Summer Field
EART 189AGeographic Information Systems with Applications in Earth Sciences

5

EART 189BSummer Field Study

5

Satisfactory completion of a senior thesis

A senior thesis must include a significant element of independent research or original work and can only be undertaken after an agreement is obtained from a faculty member to supervise it. It is recommended that students allocate three quarters for the thesis process.

Students may take EART 199: Independent Study, as part of performing the research for their senior thesis. It is required that each student enroll in and pass EART 195: Senior Thesis, in the academic quarter during which they complete their thesis.

Satisfactory completion of one of the following capstone course offerings:
EART 191AClimate Change Science and Policy

5

EART 191BPlanetary Capstone

5

EART 191CPractical Geophysics

5

Capstone course offerings vary year to year. If you are interested in completing a capstone course please contact the Earth sciences adviser.

Other options

Other options such as external field research experiences or internships may be suitable by permission of the faculty adviser.

Please meet with an adviser if you have an idea to propose.

Planners

Sample Four-Year Planner

Year Fall Winter Spring
1st (frosh) CHEM 1A CHEM 1B & CHEM 1M EART 10 & EART 10L
  MATH 11A or MATH 19A CHEM 1C & CHEM 1N
    MATH 11B or MATH 19B
2nd (soph) EART 110A & EART 110L* EART 110B & EART 110M* EART 110C & EART 110N
MATH 23A or EART 111 PHYS 6A & PHYS 6L PHYS 6B & PHYS 6M
     
3rd (junior) EART elective OCEA 101 EART elective
BIOE 20C EART elective  
     
4th (senior) (Sr thesis only)
EART 199
EART elective  
  (Sr thesis only)
EART 199
Senior thesis
(EART 195)†
or EART 189A*
     

*Students who wish to complete their capstone with EART 189A and EART 189B should be aware that the following courses are prerequisites: EART 109 and EART 109L, EART 110A and EART 110L, and EART 110B and EART 110M. Students must also complete EART 189B in summer to fulfill the summer field capstone.

† Students expecting to write a senior thesis for their comprehensive requirement are required to contact the department at least three quarters before graduation to identify the intended project and faculty adviser. Senior theses usually require two or three quarters for completion.

Sample Two-Year Planner

This planner assumes that students have completed all lower-division requirements other PHYS 6A and PHYS 6L, PHYS 6B and PHYS 6M, and advanced math.

Year Fall Winter Spring
1st (junior) EART 111 PHYS 6A & PHYS 6L PHYS 6B & PHYS 6M
EART 110A & EART 110L EART 110B & EART 110M EART 110C & EART 110N
     
2nd (senior) EART elective EART elective EART elective
EART elective OCEA 101 EART 189A*
or senior thesis
(EART 195)†
(Sr thesis only)
EART 199
 (Sr thesis only)
EART 199
 

*Students who wish to complete their capstone with EART 189A and EART 189B should be aware that the following courses are prerequisites: EART 109 and EART 109L, EART 110A and EART 110L, and EART 110B and EART 110M. Students must also complete EART 189B in summer to fulfill the summer field capstone.

†Students expecting to write a senior thesis for their comprehensive requirement are required to contact the department at least three quarters before graduation to identify the intended project and faculty adviser. Senior theses usually require at least two or three quarters for completion.