Minor in Earth Systems Science
The 26-27 credit minor in Earth Systems Science provides students with a broad understanding of the major earth sciences (e.g., atmospheric science, geology, oceanography) and skills relevant to careers in these fields (e.g., computer science, data science). Students completing the minor will graduate with a broad but high-level understanding of the physical functioning of the planet. The objective for the minor is for students to complement their existing major with a focused set of courses on the physical environment and to increase technical, quantitative, and scientific skills prior to graduation. Completion of this minor will help prepare students for graduate programs in oceanography, meteorology, atmospheric science, physical geography, earth science, and geoscience. This minor is open to all students and easily complements existing degree programs such as B.S. Environmental Studies- Natural Science Concentration, B.S. Marine Science- Biology, B.S. Marine Science- Chemistry, and B.A. Marine Biology. Please note that certain courses (e.g.,
CHE 315,
ENS 310/310L,
MAR 301) have prerequisites that are not otherwise fulfilled by this minor. Students must ensure that all appropriate prerequisites have been met to take these courses.
ENS 310/310L may be taken with instructor permission if prerequisites have not been met.
Degree Requirements
Required Courses:
| CSC 101 | The Science of Computing I | 4 |
| DSC 101 | Introduction to Data Science | 4 |
| ENS 310 | Atmospheric Science | 4 |
| ENS 310L | Atmospheric Science Laboratory | 0 |
| MAR 200 | Introduction to Marine Science | 3 |
| MAR 201 | Marine Geology | 4 |
| MAR 201L | Marine Geology Laboratory | 0 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 19 |
Elective Coursework (Choose two courses):
| CHE 315 | Chemical Oceanography | 3 |
| ENS 235 | Geographic Information Systems | 4 |
| ENS 349 | Water, Wetlands and Wildlife | 4 |
| ENS 380 | Environmental Methods and Technology | 4 |
| ENS 380L | Environmental Methods and Technology Laboratory | 0 |
| MAR 301 | Physical Oceanography | 4 |
| MAR 310 | Biological Oceanography | 4 |
| MAR 310L | Biological Oceanography Laboratory | 0 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 7-8 |
Total Credit Hours: 26-27