Earth Science Major (BS, CRED, HBS)	Print Version
	College of Science | Geosciences

Earth science is the study of all aspects of our planet, including the solid earth (soil and rock), water (fresh water and marine), atmosphere, and their interactions with living systems. Each aspect of the Earth interacts with the others in fascinating and important ways, and the study of these interactions is increasingly important to our society.

Earth scientists are needed as researchers to understand complex cycling of chemicals such as carbon, nitrogen and water. Earth scientists with broad knowledge of the Earth are needed in education to teach children about the world we live in, and to motivate them in all of science by using the most exciting and accessible of all laboratories—the outdoors. Scientists are needed as interpreters in national parks, museums, and other places where the public learns about the Earth. Furthermore, the Earth Science degree may be applied to a range of other career choices requiring a general knowledge of science.

The Earth Science program offers the BS degree with a general program of study across the Earth sciences. Majors take classes in geosciences as well as classes in several allied units at OSU, including the Department of Crop and Soil Science and the College of Oceanography and Atmospheric Sciences. Faculty in these units work on the entire spectrum of Earth science, and in collaboration make OSU one of the best places in the world to study in this field. Students who excel in their studies may arrange to work on a research project through individual study with a faculty member. All majors complete one of four options: Earth System Science, Earth Science Education, Public Interpretation, or Applied Earth Science.

Four specializations are incorporated into the Earth Science degree as options. Students must select one of the following:

1. Earth System Science: Provides students with broad training for advanced work in the emerging discipline of Earth system science. Students with this degree may decide to go on to study at the graduate level in a variety of disciplines.
2. Earth Science Education: Trains students so that they may teach Earth science in K–12 schools and other science or math courses in grades 5 through 9. Initial licensure will be achievable with this option and completion of the MS in Math or Science Education, which typically takes an additional year. 
3. Public Interpretation: Students gain the skills needed to interact and teach the public about Earth science in settings such as local, state, and national parks, nature preserves, and museums. Students completing this option may achieve certification through the National Association for Interpretation.
4. Applied Earth Science: Focuses on application of Earth science techniques to a related field of study. Earth science techniques include geographic information systems (GIS), cartography, remote sensing and environmental assessment. Students receive training through a minor in a related field such as biology, environmental engineering, fisheries and wildlife, or military science where these techniques are applied. This option is recommended for students in ROTC.
   

Earth Science Major Requirements (82–85)

Baccalaureate Core Courses (48)

Basic Skills (30–32)

Introductory Earth Science (25–26)

[GEO 101, *The Solid Earth (4), or GEO 102, *The Surface of the Earth (4), may be substituted with prior departmental permission.]

Select one from below:
ATS 210. Introduction to Atmospheric Sciences (3)
GEO 203. *Evolution of Planet Earth (4)
GEO 323. ^Climatology (4)

Earth Science Techniques (11)

Upper-Level Earth Science (12)

1. Geology:
GEO 310. Earth Materials I: Mineralogy (4)
GEO 315. Earth Materials II: Petrology (4)
GEO 340. Structural Geology (4)
GEO 430. Geochemistry (4)

2. Soil Science:
CSS 455. Biology of Soil Ecosystems (4)
CSS 466. Soil Morphology and Classification (4)

3. Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences:
ATS 420. Principles of Atmospheric Science (4)
GEO 431. Applied Climatology (3)
GEO 433. Coastal Geomorphology (3)
OC 332. Coastal Oceanography (3)
OC 430. Principles of Physical Oceanography (4)
OC 440. Biological Oceanography (3)
OC 450. Chemical Oceanography (3)
OC 460. Geological Oceanography (3)

4. Water Science:
CE 412. Hydrology (4)
   or FE 430. Watershed Processes (4)
FW 456. Limnology (5)
GEO 432. Applied Geomorphology (3)
GEO 483. Snow Hydrology (3)
GEO 487. Hydrogeology (4)

Capstone Experience (4)

Total Credits 82–85 in Earth Science core.
In addition, one of four options is required at 31–35 credits as indicated above.

Choose a Minor

All minors are 27 credits and contain at least 12 credits of upper-division course work. Choose one of the following minors, which integrate well with the Earth Science degree or are professionally supplementary to the degree, or another minor approved by the head advisor.

• Agricultural Sciences
• Anthropology
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Environmental Engineering
• Environmental Science
• Fisheries and Wildlife
• Forest Management
• Forest Recreational Resources
• Mathematical Sciences
• Mathematics
• Microbiology
• Military Studies (Air Force Studies, Military Science, or Naval Science)
• Natural Resource and Environmental Law and Policy
• Natural Resources
• Oceanography
• Physics
• Resource Economics
• Soil Sciences
• Statistics
• Zoology

Note: Students may not double-count courses between the option and the minor, i.e. The same course may not be used to meet the requirements under "Advanced Earth Science Techniques" and the requirements of the minor. Courses may be double-counted between the minor and other courses in the Earth Science degree.