Geography Major: Earth System Science Concentration

Requirements for a Major

Minimum requirement for the major is completion of a six-course (18 credit) core curriculum and one of five concentrations. Students will declare a concentration in either General Geography, Environmental Studies, Geographic Information Systems, Earth System Science, or Earth Science Education. Study Away/Study Abroad is strongly encouraged for geography majors.

Core Courses(18 credits)
GS-101Physical Geography3
or GS-110 Meteorology
GE-102Human Geography3
GS-140Physical Geology4
GS-165Geographic Information Systems I4
GE-200Geography Literature Seminar1
GE/GS-400Geography Seminar3
Requirements for the Concentration in Earth System Science(32 credits)
Ancillary requirements (may apply to LASC requirements)
MA-190Pre-calculus4
Select one of the following:4
Survey of Chemistry
General Chemistry I
General Physics I
Physics I (Mechanics)
Required core courses
GS-210Geomorphology4
GS-225Oceanography3
GS-230Biogeography3
Core electives
14 upper level credits at the 200+ level, including 3 earth science credits at the 300+ level. No more than one geography (GE) or Geospatial course can be counted toward this requirement.14
Total Credits50

Geography Major: Earth System Science Concentration

Sample Timeline for Completion of Degree

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
Semester OneCredits
LASCFirst-Year Seminar 3
EN-101 College Writing I 3
LASCLASC Elective (GP) 1 3
GE-102 Human Geography 3
GS-101 Physical Geography 3
 Credits15
Semester Two
EN-102 College Writing II 3
LASCLASC Elective (CON) 3
MA-190 Pre-calculus 4
LASCLASC Elective (TLC) 1 3
GS-140 Physical Geology 4
 Credits17
Year Two
Semester Three
GS-165 Geographic Information Systems I 4
GS-210 Geomorphology 4
Select one of the following LASC courses: 1 4
General Chemistry I
General Physics I (NSP LAB)
Physics I (Mechanics)
GE-200 Geography Literature Seminar 1
LASCLASC Elective (CA) 1 3
 Credits16
Semester Four
GS-225 Oceanography 3
GS-230 Biogeography 3
LASCLASC Elective (USW) 1 3
LASCLASC Elective (HBS) 1 3
LASCLASC Elective 1 4
 Credits16
Year Three
Semester Five
SELECTEarth System Science Elective 3
SELECTEarth System Science Elective 3
LASCLASC Elective (QR) 1 3
LASCLASC Elective 1 3
SELECTGeneral Elective 3
 Credits15
Semester Six
SELECTEarth System Science Elective 3
SELECTEarth System Science Elective 3
LASCLASC Elective (NSP) 1 3
LASCLASC Elective 1 3
SELECTGeneral Elective 3
 Credits15
Year Four
Semester Seven
SELECTEarth System Science Elective 3
LASCLASC Elective (ICW) 3
SELECTGeneral Elective 3
SELECTGeneral Elective 3
SELECTGeneral Elective 3
 Credits15
Semester Eight
GE-400 Geography Seminar (CAP) 3
SELECTGeneral Elective 3
SELECTGeneral Elective 3
SELECTGeneral Elective 3
SELECTGeneral Elective 3
 Credits15
 Total Credits124
1

The sequence of LASC courses marked with 1 is a suggestion but serves as a reminder that LASC designated courses must be taken to satisfy the LASC requirements.

Students are required to meet with their academic advisor to review their courses for the upcoming semester. A minimum of 120 credits is required for graduation.  First-year and transfer students with 45 or fewer credits at the time of admission shall complete two academic programs (a major/major or major/minor) to qualify for graduation.  For more information, please view the MajorPlus section of this catalog.