Earth Science - B.A. Download to print

The Bachelor of Arts in Earth Science is ideal for students interested in an interdisciplinary basic science leading to potential careers in allied environmental, ecological or earth system fields. The program requires a minimum of 21 hours of biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics; and 30 hours of geology, including courses in oceanography, minerals, rocks, fossils and landforms. A geography sequence is also required. A capstone field course is not required; however, most geology courses have extensive (one-to-three-day) excursions that allow students to obtain valuable field experience.

Geoscientists held about 33,600 jobs in 2008, while another 8,100 were employed as hydrologists. Many more individuals held geoscience faculty positions in colleges and universities, but they are classified as college and university faculty.

About 23 percent of geoscientists were employed in architectural, engineering, and related services and 19 percent worked for oil and gas extraction companies. State agencies such as State geological surveys and State departments of conservation employed another 9 percent of geoscientists. Eight percent worked for the Federal Government, including geologists, geophysicists, and oceanographers, mostly within the U.S. Department of the Interior for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and within the U.S. Department of Defense.

Among hydrologists, 26 percent were employed in architectural, engineering, and related services, and 19 percent worked for management, scientific, and technical consulting services. The Federal Government employed about 27 percent of hydrologists, mostly within the U.S. Department of the Interior for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and within the U.S. Department of Defense.

(Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)

General Admissions for Freshman Students: Admission Requirements at the Kent Campus: The freshman admission policy at the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon the following: cumulative grade point average, ACT and/or SAT scores, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends.

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago. For more information on admissions, visit the admissions website for new freshmen.
 

For more information about admission criteria for transfer, transitioning and former students, please visit the admissions website.

Minimum 120 total credit hours and 42 upper-division credit hours. Minimum 2.000 cumulative GPA and 2.000 major GPA.

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Understand and communicate to others: a. the nature of scientific investigation and evidence, b. the complex interrelationships of the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and the lithosphere through geologic time.
2. Understand Earth materials and interpret geologic and environmental processes.
3. Synthesize geologic information to understand and solve geologic and environmental problems.
4. Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills and be able to work as a geologist in the field and in the laboratory.