Earth and Environmental Science, BA

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

The Earth Science B.A. is designed to provide students with a firm foundation in the geological sciences. A diversity of elective courses allow students interested in related fields to build a supplementary minor. It provides a clear path to graduation and is ideal for students pursuing careers in earth science education, state agencies, environmental geology, and hydrogeology.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students who completethe Bachelor of Arts in Earth Science degree are required to demonstrate:

The understanding of geologic terms, concepts, and theories,
The ability to collect geologic data through laboratory and field studies, and to formulate logical interpretations and conclusions from those data,
The ability to compare, contrast and demonstrate appreciation of competing views within geology, involving both historical and current controversies,
A solid understanding of geologic conditions specific to California and the unique global geological context of California, and
The ability to identify common rocks and minerals found in any country located anywhere on Earth.

Additionally, students are also expected to acquire the following general skills:

Competence in scientific inquiry,
Critical thinking abilities,
Written and oral communication proficiency, and
Quantitative reasoning skills.

Degree Requirements

See the “Degree Requirements ” in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements.

General Education Requirements (48 units)

See the “General Education Program ” requirements in the University Catalog for information on General Education requirements. Some major requirements may double count for GE requirements.

Required Major Core Courses

Major Electives

Choose 33 additional units of Earth Science-related courses in consultation with a major advisor. See list of suggested courses on the following page. Major Elective courses must be approved by a major advisor. At least 20 units must be 200-level or above, and at least 15 units must be Geology courses.

Required Supporting Courses

MATH 160 - Precalculus Mathematics Unit(s): 4 OR
MATH 161 - Differential and Integral Calculus I Unit(s): 4 OR
MATH 165 - Elementary Applied Statistics Unit(s): 4
CHEM 102 - Chemistry and Society Unit(s): 3 OR
CHEM 110 - Introductory General Chemistry Unit(s): 3 OR
CHEM 115A - General Chemistry Unit(s): 5
Any 100 or 200-level Physics or Astronomy course

Units

Total units in major electives: 33

Total units in supporting courses: 10-14

Total units in the major core: 61-65*

Suggested Major Elective Courses

Geology

GEOL 102 - Our Dynamic Earth: Introduction to Geology Unit(s): 3
GEOL 105 - The Age of Dinosaurs Unit(s): 3
GEOL 107 - Introduction to Earth Science Unit(s): 3 Highly recommended for students pursuing a teaching credential
GEOL 110 - Natural Disasters Unit(s): 3
GEOL 120 - Regional Field Geology Unit(s): 3
GEOL 205 - Mineralogy Unit(s): 4
GEOL 301 - Natural History of the Hawaiian Islands Unit(s): 3
GEOL 302 - Climate Change Unit(s): 3
GEOL 306 - Environmental Geology Unit(s): 3
GEOL 307 - Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology Unit(s): 4
GEOL 308 - Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology Field Course Unit(s): 1
GEOL 310 - Geophysics Unit(s): 4
GEOL 311 - Sedimentary Geology Unit(s): 4
GEOL 312 - Sedimentary Geology Field Course Unit(s): 1
GEOL 313 - Paleontology Unit(s): 4
GEOL 314 - Paleontology Field Course Unit(s): 1
GEOL 317 - Structural Geology Unit(s): 4
GEOL 318 - Structural Geology Field Unit(s): 1
GEOL 320 - Basin Analysis Unit(s): 4
GEOL 321 - Burgess Shale Paleontology Unit(s): 3
GEOL 323 - Hydrology Unit(s): 3
GEOL 326 - Stratigraphy and Earth History Unit(s): 4
GEOL 420 - Integrative Field Experience Unit(s): 4
GEOL 427 - Advanced Field Geology Unit(s): 4
GEOL 422 - Geochemistry Unit(s): 3
GEOL 425 - Economic Geology Unit(s): 3
GEOL 495 - Special Studies Unit(s): 1-4

Anthropology

ANTH 201 - Introduction to Biological Anthropology Unit(s): 3
ANTH 202 - Introduction to Archaeology Unit(s): 3
ANTH 301 - Human Fossils and Evolution Unit(s): 4
ANTH 322 - Historical Archaeology Unit(s): 4

Studio Art

ARTS 202 - Beginning Drawing Unit(s): 3

Astronomy

ASTR 100 - Descriptive Astronomy Unit(s): 3
ASTR 231 - Introduction to Observational Astronomy Unit(s): 1
ASTR 350 - Cosmology Unit(s): 3

Biology

BIOL 312 - Biological Oceanography Unit(s): 3
BIOL 333 - Ecology Unit(s): 4
BIOL 335 - Marine Ecology Unit(s): 4

Geography Environment and Planning

GEP 201 - Global Environmental Systems Unit(s): 3
GEP 323 - Resource Management & Development in Global Perspective Unit(s): 4
GEP 340 - Applied Ecology Unit(s): 3
GEP 350 - Geomorphology Unit(s): 4
GEP 355 - Weather and Climate Unit(s): 3
GEP 373 - Energy, Technology, and Society Unit(s): 4
GEP 380 - Environmental Remote Sensing Unit(s): 4
GEP 387 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems Unit(s): 4
GEP 344 - Field Methods Unit(s): 2
GEP 345 - Lab Methods Unit(s): 2
GEP 396 - Selected Topics Unit(s): 1-4

Secondary Education Teaching Preparation

Geology and Earth Science students must demonstrate competence in the natural sciences by passing the subject matter examination required by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC). One part of the examination will test breadth of knowledge in biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, and geology. Another part of the examination will test depth of knowledge in a particular area, such as geology. The B.S. in Geology or the B.A. in Earth Science degrees are recommended to prepare for the part of the examination that tests depth of knowledge in geology. For recommended course selection to help prepare for the part of the examination that tests breadth of scientific knowledge, please see the Teaching Credential section of the SSU catalog. GEOL 107, Introduction to Earth Science, is specifically designed for students who are preparing to take the CCTC single-subject exam. For more information, please contact the Department of Geology, (707) 664-2334.

Program Road Maps

Earth and Environmental Science, BS, Sample Four-Year Plan

Earth and Environmental Science, BS, Sample Two-Year Plan