Earth Sciences, B.S.
About the Program
The earth sciences program offers students the opportunity to develop a broad understanding of the earth as a dynamic, interacting system of land, sea, atmosphere, and solar system. The student, in consultation with a faculty adviser, will select one of the three available concentrations upon the completion of 9 credit hours in the major. The concentrations, leading in somewhat different career directions, are environmental earth sciences, earth sciences (intended for secondary education earth science candidates), and geology (earth sciences majors may not minor in astronomy).
Coursework in chemistry, calculus, and physics is strongly recommended, particularly for students contemplating graduate study or secondary earth science teacher certification. The recommended courses, or higher, are CHE 111, CHE 112, MAT 126, MAT 127, PHY 111, and PHY 112. Each student should choose the appropriate courses by advisement, beginning with entry into the major.
Student majors are strongly encouraged to pursue independent research under faculty supervision or an internship experience. Students may find additional information about undergraduate research possibilities from faculty and by visiting the Undergraduate Research Office (www.buffalostate.edu/undergraduate research).
A departmental honors program also is available. Students should contact the department for additional information.
Career Information
Earth science majors select one of four areas of concentration: air and space, environmental earth sciences, geology, or earth science education. Graduates may seek employment in weather forecasting; environmental consulting, remediation, or enforcement; mining and natural-resource development; teaching in middle and high schools; or public education at museums and nature study centers. Students also may attend graduate school to study atmospheric sciences, astronomy, geology, environmental science, or related fields.
Recent graduates have been hired as teachers in middle or high schools. Typical hiring firms also include federal and state government agencies, engineering companies, and geological consulting companies.
Program Requirements
Intellectual Foundations Requirements 39–66 cr
Total Required Credit Hours in Earth Sciences 40–42 cr
A. Required Courses (24 cr)
GES 101 Introductory Geology
GES 102 Historical Geology
GES 103 Introductory Geology Laboratory (1)
GES 111 General Oceanography
GES 131 Introductory Astronomy
GES 303 Mineralogy and Petrology (4)
GES 307 Geomorphology
GES 308 Structural Geology (4)
B. Concentrations (16–18 cr)
Environmental Earth Sciences Concentration (18 cr)
GES 300 Sedimentology
GES 301 Stratigraphy
GES 452 Hydrogeology
GES 460 Applied Environmental Methods
Select two courses from the following:
GES 350 Environmental Geochemistry
GEG 365 Soil Science and Management
GES 404 Field Geology
GES 409 Fluvial Geomorphology
GES 444 Global Systems Geomorphology
Students should consider completing the environmental sciences minor.
CHE 111 and CHE 112 are strongly advised.
Earth Science Concentration (16 cr)
GES 241 Meteorology
GES 302 Invertebrate Paleontology (4)
GES 405 Geology of North America
One astronomy elective.
One upper-division GES elective.
Students who wish to obtain earth science and general science certifications (7–12) for junior/senior
high school teaching must also complete other professional requirements. See the earth science
education (7–12) program in this catalog.
Geology Concentration (16 cr)
GES 300 Sedimentology
GES 301 Stratigraphy
GES 302 Invertebrate Paleontology (4)
GES 404 Field Geology
Select one course from the following:
GES 403 Glacial Geology
GES 405 Geology of North America
Students contemplating graduate study are advised that CHE 111, CHE 112, MAT 126, MAT 127, PHY 111, and PHY 112 are essential to a modern geology (or related) program. These sequences should begin before the graduate school decision is made; failure to take these limits students’ future options.
All College Electives 12–41 cr
Total Required Credit Hours 120 cr