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Twin Cities Campus
Earth Sciences B.S. Earth SciencesDepartment of Earth Sciences
College of Science and Engineering
Earth sciences is the study of the composition, structure, and history of the Earth and of the processes that operate on and within it, with emphasis on the crust, oceans, and atmosphere. The department's programs emphasize applications of physics, chemistry, and biology to understanding the Earth.
Earth scientists are employed in a wide range of fields, including exploration for and development of natural resources (hydrocarbons, minerals, groundwater); environmental science; urban planning; education; and oceanography. Potential employers include the oil, gas, and minerals industries; environmental consultants; federal and private research institutions; universities; schools; and government agencies. An advanced degree is usually required for a career in research or teaching.
Program Delivery
This program is available:
Admission Requirements
Students must complete
8 courses
before admission to the program.
Freshman and transfer students are usually admitted to pre-major status
before admission to this major.
Students interested in the earth sciences as a major may want to consider taking ESCI 1001 or other ESCI 1xxx course, which can be counted as an elective.
For information about University of Minnesota admission requirements, visit the
Office of Admissions
website.
Required prerequisites
Mathematics
Calculus I
MATH 1371 - CSE Calculus I
[MATH]
(4.0 cr)
or
MATH 1271 - Calculus I
[MATH]
(4.0 cr)
or
MATH 1571H - Honors Calculus I
[MATH]
(4.0 cr)
Calculus II
MATH 1372 - CSE Calculus II
(4.0 cr)
or
MATH 1272 - Calculus II
(4.0 cr)
or
MATH 1572H - Honors Calculus II
(4.0 cr)
Required prerequisites
Chemistry
Chemistry I Lecture and Lab
Chemistry I
CHEM 1061 - Chemical Principles I
[PHYS]
(3.0 cr)
CHEM 1065 - Chemical Principles I Laboratory
[PHYS]
(1.0 cr)
or
Chemistry I Honors
CHEM 1071H - Honors Chemistry I
[PHYS]
(3.0 cr)
CHEM 1075H - Honors Chemistry I Laboratory
[PHYS]
(1.0 cr)
Chemistry II Lecture and Lab
Chemistry II
CHEM 1062 - Chemical Principles II
[PHYS]
(3.0 cr)
CHEM 1066 - Chemical Principles II Laboratory
[PHYS]
(1.0 cr)
or
Chemistry II Honors
CHEM 1072H - Honors Chemistry II
[PHYS]
(3.0 cr)
CHEM 1076H - Honors Chemistry II Laboratory
[PHYS]
(1.0 cr)
Required prerequisites
Physics
Physics I
Physics I
PHYS 1301W - Introductory Physics for Science and Engineering I
[PHYS, WI]
(4.0 cr)
or
PHYS 1401V - Honors Physics I
[PHYS, WI]
(4.0 cr)
Physics II
PHYS 1302W - Introductory Physics for Science and Engineering II
[PHYS, WI]
(4.0 cr)
or
PHYS 1402V - Honors Physics II
[PHYS, WI]
(4.0 cr)
Required prerequisites
General Requirements
All students in baccalaureate degree programs are required to complete general University and college requirements including writing and liberal education courses. For more information about University-wide requirements, see the
liberal education requirements.
Required courses for the major, minor or certificate in which a student receives a D grade (with or without plus or minus) do not count toward the major, minor or certificate (including transfer courses).
Program Requirements
All freshmen in the College of Science and Engineering must complete CSE 1001: First-Year Experience.
At least 22 upper division credits in the major must be taken at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus.
Mathematics
MATH 2373 - CSE Linear Algebra and Differential Equations
(4.0 cr)
or
MATH 2243 - Linear Algebra and Differential Equations
(4.0 cr)
or
MATH 2573H - Honors Calculus III
(4.0 cr)
or
MATH 2263 - Multivariable Calculus
(4.0 cr)
or
MATH 2374 - CSE Multivariable Calculus and Vector Analysis
(4.0 cr)
or
MATH 2574H - Honors Calculus IV
(4.0 cr)
Major Courses
Major core courses required for all focus groups.
ESCI 2202 - Earth History
(4.0 cr)
ESCI 2203 - Earth Surface Dynamics
(4.0 cr)
ESCI 3202 - Fluid Earth Dynamics
(4.0 cr)
ESCI 3303W - Geochemical Principles
[WI]
(4.0 cr)
ESCI 3891 - Field Methods
(2.0 cr)
Fieldwork
Take introductory field geology (ESCI 3911) and choose one advanced field course from advanced field geology (ESCI 4911) or field hydrogeology (ESCI 4971W).
ESCI 3911 - Introductory Field Geology
(4.0 cr)
ESCI 4911 - Advanced Field Geology
(4.0 cr)
or
ESCI 4971W - Field Hydrogeology
[WI]
(4.0 cr)
Technical Electives
Take 7 credits of additional elective courses in physical and natural sciences or mathematics. Students should choose elective courses in consultation with the ESci director of undergraduate studies. Though not an exhaustive list, students frequently select courses listed below to fulfill this require.
Take 7 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
AST 1001 - Exploring the Universe
[PHYS, ENV]
(4.0 cr)
·
AST 2001 - Fundamental Astrophysics
(4.0 cr)
·
CHEM 2301 - Organic Chemistry I
(3.0 cr)
·
CHEM 2302 - Organic Chemistry II
(3.0 cr)
·
CHEM 2311 - Organic Lab
(4.0 cr)
·
CSCI 1113 - Introduction to C/C++ Programming for Scientists and Engineers
(4.0 cr)
·
FNRM 3131 - Geographical Information Systems (GIS) for Natural Resources
[TS]
(4.0 cr)
·
GCC 3004 {Inactive}
[ENV]
(3.0 cr)
·
GCC 5008 - Policy and Science of Global Environmental Change
[ENV]
(3.0 cr)
·
MATH 2374 - CSE Multivariable Calculus and Vector Analysis
(4.0 cr)
·
SOIL 2125 - Basic Soil Science
[PHYS, ENV]
(4.0 cr)
Upper Division Requirements
25 additional upper division ESci credits, including ESci 2302, are required to complete the major. The six focus groups below are suggested courses that students may consider taking if they are interested in a particular sub-disciple of Earth and Environmental Sciences. These are only suggestions, and students may pick and choose courses from different focus groups as their interests evolve.
Upper Division Writing Intensive within the major
Students are required to take one upper division writing intensive course within the major. If that requirement has not been satisfied within the core major requirements, students must choose one course from the following list. Some of these courses may also fulfill other major requirements.
Take 0 - 1 course(s) from the following:
·
ESCI 3303W - Geochemical Principles
[WI]
(4.0 cr)
·
ESCI 4102W - Vertebrate Paleontology: Evolutionary History and Fossil Records of Vertebrates
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
ESCI 4103W - Fossil Record of Mammals
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
ESCI 4971W - Field Hydrogeology
[WI]
(4.0 cr)
Earth Sciences Focus Groups
Geology
ESCI 2302 - Petrology
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 4501 - Structural Geology
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 4602 - Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 4702 - General Hydrogeology
(4.0 cr)
9-10 additional ESCI credits with at least 7 credits at 4xxx or 5xxx levels.
-OR-
Geophysics
ESCI 2302 - Petrology
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 4211 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 4501 - Structural Geology
(3.0 cr)
MATH 2374 - CSE Multivariable Calculus and Vector Analysis
(4.0 cr)
PHYS 2303 - Physics III: Physics of Matter
(4.0 cr)
or
PHYS 2503 - Physics III: Intro to Waves, Optics, and Special Relativity
(4.0 cr)
Choice of two from
Take 2 or more course(s) from the following:
·
ESCI 4203 - Environmental Geophysics
(3.0 cr)
·
ESCI 4204 - Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism
(3.0 cr)
·
ESCI 4212 - Geodynamics
(3.0 cr)
·
ESCI 5203 - Mineral and Rock Physics
(3.0 cr)
Take 3 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
ESCI 4xxx
·
ESCI 5xxx
-OR-
Biogeoscience
ESCI 4602 - Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 4801 - Geomicrobiology
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 5302 - Isotope Geology
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 4401 - Aqueous Environmental Geochemistry
(3.0 cr)
or
ESCI 4402 - Biogeochemical Cycles in the Ocean
(3.0 cr)
14 additional ESCI credits at least 9 at 4xxx or 5xxx
-OR-
Hydrogeology
ESCI 4602 - Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 4702 - General Hydrogeology
(4.0 cr)
ESCI 4401 - Aqueous Environmental Geochemistry
(3.0 cr)
or
ESCI 4701 - Geomorphology
(4.0 cr)
or
ESCI 4703 - Glacial Geology
(4.0 cr)
15-16 additional ESCI credits with at least 9 credits at 4xxx or 5xxx.
-OR-
Geochemistry
ESCI 2302 - Petrology
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 4501 - Structural Geology
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 4801 - Geomicrobiology
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 5302 - Isotope Geology
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 4401 - Aqueous Environmental Geochemistry
(3.0 cr)
or
ESCI 4402 - Biogeochemical Cycles in the Ocean
(3.0 cr)
11 additional ESCI credits with at least 9 credits at 4xxx or 5xxx.
-OR-
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Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Math 1271/Math 1281/Math 1371/ |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Math 1271/Math 1281/Math 1371/ |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Math 1271/Math 1281/Math 1371/ |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Math 1272/Math 1282/Math 1372/ |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Math 1272/Math 1282/Math 1372/ |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Math 1272/Math 1282/Math 1372/ |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 1061/Chem 1071H/Chem 1081 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 1065/Chem 1075H |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 1061/Chem 1071H/Chem 1081 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 1065/Chem 1075H |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 1062/1072H/1082 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 1066/Chem 1076H |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 1062/1072H/1082 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 1066/Chem 1076H |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phys 1201W/1301W/1401V/1501V |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phys 1201W/1301W/1401V/1501V |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phys 1202W/1302W/1402V/1502V |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phys 1202W/1302W/1402V/1502V |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Math 2243/Math 2373/Math 2574H |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Math 2243/Math 2373/Math 2574H |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Math 2263/Math 2374/Math 2573H |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Math 2263/Math 2374/Math 2573H |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Math 2263/Math 2374/Math 2573H |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Math 2243/Math 2373/Math 2574H |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Ast 1001/Ast 1005/Ast 1011H |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 2301/Chem 2331H |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 2302/Chem 2332HChem 2304 |
Prerequisites: | Grade of at least C- in 2301 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 2311/Chem 2312H/2312 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | EEB 5146/FNRM 5146/GCC 5008/P |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Math 2263/Math 2374/Math 2573H |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Soil 2125/Soil 5125 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phys 2303/2403H/2503/2503H |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phys 2303/2403H/2503/2503H |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Math 2263/Math 2374/Math 2573H |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phys 2303/2403H/2503/2503H |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phys 2303/2403H/2503/2503H |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESci 4203/ESci 8203 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESci 4212/ESci 8212 |
Typically offered: | Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESci 4401/ESci 8401 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESci 4402/ESci 8402 |
Typically offered: | Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESci 4401/ESci 8401 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESci 4401/ESci 8401 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESci 4402/ESci 8402 |
Typically offered: | Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESci 4401/ESci 8401 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESci 4402/ESci 8402 |
Typically offered: | Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |