Earth and Environmental Sciences, BA

Earth Sciences Concentration
Life Science/Earth Science Education Concentration

Program Description:

Earth Sciences:

Earth science (also known as geology) is the study of the earth. This includes the processes that shape its surface (both land and water) and interior. It focuses on current and past processes. Many professional earth scientists work to protect natural resources, including water and environments. Professional earth scientists also explore for new resources such as oil, gas, or minerals. Others find careers as high school teachers.

Bachelor of Arts Degree: Earth Sciences Concentration

The Earth Sciences Concentration is for students who want a flexible program. It combines fundamental courses in earth sciences with basic courses in related sciences. It also requires courses in areas outside of science. The Bachelor of Arts program is flexible enough to combine with a dual major in an unrelated field. The Bachelor of Science degree is more focused in earth and related sciences.

The degree program develops many skills:

solving problems using critical thinking
combining a range of sciences (chemistry, physics, biology and mathematics) in creatively solving practical problems
collaborating to complete projects with others
interpreting various types of information, including numbers, graphs, and text
presenting insights and information in writing and speaking

Career Opportunities:

The Earth Sciences Concentration is designed for students planning careers in fields such as environmental consulting or resource exploration. Other careers include public service within local, state, or federal regulatory agencies (EPA, Ohio EPA). It is also a choice for students planning graduate study in earth and environmental sciences.

For additional information:

Earth Sciences Concentration

Program Requirements:

I. Wright State Core: 40 Hours

Element 1: Communication: 6 Hours

Element 2: Mathematics: 4 Hours

Required

MTH 2240 - Applied Calculus Credit Hour(s): 4 or
MTH 2300 - Calculus I Credit Hour(s): 4

Element 3: Global Traditions: 6 Hours

Element 4: Arts and Humanities: 3 Hours

Element 5: Social Sciences: 6 Hours

Element 6: Natural Sciences: 8 Hours

Required

EES 2510 - Earth Systems Credit Hour(s): 4
EES 2550 - Earth History Credit Hour(s): 4

Additional Core Courses: 7 Hours

Required

MTH 2310 - Calculus II Credit Hour(s): 4 or
STT 2640 - Elementary Statistics Credit Hour(s): 4

II. Departmental Core Requirements: 9 Hours

EES 3120 - Earth Materials Credit Hour(s): 4
EES 4340 - Mapping Methods Credit Hour(s): 2
EES 4280 - Earth and Environmental Sciences Colloquium Credit Hour(s): .5 (taken twice)
EES 4350 - Field Mapping Credit Hour(s): 2 or
EES 4360 - Environmental Field Techniques Credit Hour(s): 2

III. Departmental Requirements and Electives: 24 Hours

Choose 24 hours from approved electives:

EES 3160 - Stratigraphy and Sedimentology Credit Hour(s): 4
EES 3250 - Climate Change Credit Hour(s): 3
EES 4190 - Paleobiology Credit Hour(s): 3
EES 4210 - Structural Geology and Tectonics Credit Hour(s): 4
EES 4220 - Introduction to Geophysics Credit Hour(s): 4
EES 4240 - Oceanography Credit Hour(s): 3
EES 4270 - Process Geomorphology Credit Hour(s): 3
EES 4290 - Remote Sensing of Earth Credit Hour(s): 3
EES 4300 - Environmental Applications of Geographic Information Systems Credit Hour(s): 4
EES 4330 - Global Biogeochemical Cycles Credit Hour(s): 3
EES 4430 - Analysis and Prediction of Complex Natural and Human Systems Credit Hour(s): 3
EES 4460 - Sequence Stratigraphy Credit Hour(s): 3
EES 4540 - Subsurface Fluid Flow Credit Hour(s): 3
EES 4560 - Groundwater Contamination Credit Hour(s): 3
EES 4610 - Near-Surface Geophysics Credit Hour(s): 3
EES 4960 - Senior Thesis Research Credit Hour(s): .5 to 5

IV. Related Course Requirements: 43 Hours

CHM 1210 - General Chemistry I Credit Hour(s): 3
CHM 1210L - General Chemistry Lab I Credit Hour(s): 2
CHM 1220 - General Chemistry II Credit Hour(s): 3
CHM 1220L - General Chemistry Lab II Credit Hour(s): 2
or
PHY 1110 - Principles of Physics I Credit Hour(s): 4
PHY 1110L - Principles of Physics Lab I Credit Hour(s): 1
PHY 1120 - Principles of Physics II Credit Hour(s): 4
PHY 1120L - Principles of Physics Lab II Credit Hour(s): 1
or
BIO 1120 - Cells and Genes Credit Hour(s): 4
BIO 1150 - Organisms and Ecosystems Credit Hour(s): 4

Electives NOT from COSM or CECS: 18 Hours

Approved electives from COSM or CECS: 17 Hours

which may include up to 8 hours of EES courses

V. General Electives: 4 Hours

Total: 120 Hours

Graduation Planning Strategy

The Graduation Planning Strategy (GPS) has been created to illustrate one option to complete degree requirements within a particular time frame. Students are encouraged to meet with their academic advisor to adjust this plan based on credit already earned, individual needs or curricular changes that may not be reflected in this year’s catalog.

Bachelor of Arts Degree: Life Science/Earth Science Concentration

The Life Science/Earth Science Education Concentration is for students who want careers as high school teachers. After completing this degree, students continue into the Professional Educators Program Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree through the College of Education and Human Services. After completing both programs, students can then seek licensure from the Ohio Department of Education in both Life Sciences and Earth Sciences.

The degree program develops diverse skills and content knowledge:

awareness of diverse teaching methods
content knowledge in two fields - life sciences (biology) and earth sciences (geology)
ability to explain various types of information, including numbers, graphs, and text
skill in presenting insights and information by writing and speaking