Geosciences, B.S.

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Requirements for the Major:

A minimum of eleven courses in the department including:

Any 100 level Geoscience course with a laboratory (or ENS 100)
Choose an introductory offering (1):
ENS 100 - Introduction to Environmental Studies
GEO 106 - Introduction to Oceanography
GEO 109 - Global Climate Change
GEO 110 - Introduction to Geosciences
GEO 112 - Environmental Geology
GEO 117 - Natural Disasters
GEO 160 - Environmental Challenges in the Mohawk Watershed
Core courses in Geosciences
Required core courses (6):
GEO 120 - The Story of Earth and Life
GEO 201 - Stratigraphy and Depositional Environments of New York
GEO 202 - Geomorphology
GEO 220 - Mineral Science
GEO 307 - Structural Geology
GEO 320 - Petrology of Igneous and Metamorphic Rocks

Electives

The Geosciences curriculum offers two tracks 1) Dynamic Earth, and 2) Environmental Geosciences. Students must choose two classes in one of the tracks.

Choose a track (2 courses in one track):

Dynamic Earth Geosciences Track

Environmental Geosciences Track

Additional Electives (2):

Take any two from the list below (no double counting from above)*

SENIOR SEMINAR (1)

GEO 405 - Geosciences Senior Seminar

ONE TO THREE-TERM SENIOR RESEARCH PROJECT

One-Term Option:
GEO 498 - Geosciences Research and Writing
Two or Three Term Option:
GEO 495 - Geosciences Thesis Research 1
GEO 496 - Geosciences Thesis Research 2
GEO 497 - Geosciences Thesis Research 3

GEOSCIENCE COGNATES

Also required are six courses in the following areas. GEO courses taken to fulfill cognates cannot also count as electives in the major. These should be discussed with your academic advisor in advance. We recommend MTH and CHM options for those interested in pursuing graduate studies.

Data Analysis, Programming, Statistics and Mathematics (2)

Any two courses numbered 100 or higher, or equivalent such as:

Chemistry (2)

The following is required,

Biology or Physics (2)

Two of the following courses are required (limit one GEO or GEO cross-listed course):

Any BIO or PHY courses numbered 100 or higher.

GEO 208 - Paleontology, Paleobiology, and Paleoecology
GEO 303 - Earthquakes and the study of the Earth’s Interior
GEO 305 - Global Biogeochemical Cycles
Note: Advanced work or a minor is encourage in chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics, economics, or engineering.

Requirements for Honors in Geosciences:

The major requirements as specified above are required, as are the GPA requirements of Union College described elsewhere in this catalog. A senior research thesis is required, normally consisting of at least two terms of GEO 495 and GEO 496 (independent research with a faculty member) and presentation at Steinmetz Symposium or other conference as approved by the advisor. Interdepartmental majors must consult with their advisors in both disciplines during their junior year to receive approval for an interdepartmental thesis. The Geosciences component of an interdepartmental thesis will normally incorporate at least one term of geoscience research.

Additional Requirements

Senior Geosciences majors may not take any introductory course for major credit. A senior thesis is required, and theses may either be 1 term (GEO 498 ) or 2-3 terms (GEO 495 , GEO 496 , GEO 497 ). Only one senior level research credit may count toward the two geosciences electives. Students who intend on going to graduate school are strongly encouraged to do a research thesis and to take cognate courses in chemistry and math, because most graduate programs require them. A summer field course or independent research in the junior year is strongly recommended, particularly for those going on to graduate school or geological consulting work.