Geosciences (ID), B.S.

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Requirements for Interdepartmental Majors:

Interdepartmental majors will follow the guidelines as described in Academic Program and Policies section in this catalog.

The interdepartmental geosciences major must be approved by the chair of the Geosciences Department and should include a plan written in consultation with advisors from both departments to form a cohesive and integrated major.

There are two options as follows:

Option 1 (Geosciences / Other)

Students who wish to have their interdepartmental major listed as Geosciences / Other (i.e. Geosciences / Physics, Geosciences / Biology), etc.) are required to take eight geology courses.

The 8 required geosciences courses include:

a GEO 100-level course with laboratory
GEO 120 - The Story of Earth and Life
GEO 405 - Geosciences Senior Seminar
and 5 200-level (or higher) geosciences courses or electives

Option 2 (Other / Geosciences)

Students who wish to have their interdepartmental major listed as Other / Geosciences (i.e. Physics / Geosciences, Biology / Geosciences) are required to take six geosciences courses.

The 6 required geosciences courses include:

a GEO 100-level course
GEO 120 - The Story of Earth and Life
and 4 200-level (or higher) geosciences courses or electives

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.