Geosciences: Undergraduate Earth Sciences Programs

College of Science and Engineering

Dean: Sheldon Axler

Department of Geosciences

509 Thornton Hall

(415) 338-2061

Fax: (415) 338-7705

Chair: Oswaldo Garcia

Graduate Coordinators: Grove (Geology) and Monteverdi (Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences)

Credential Adviser: Caskey

Faculty

Professors—Dempsey, Garcia, Garfield, Grove, Monteverdi, Mustart, Pestrong, White

Associate Professors—Caskey

Assistant Professors—Leech, Sklar

Adjunct Faculty—Abrams, Blier, Campbell, Felton, Knox, Null, Roopnarine, Roush, Tang

Programs

B.A. in Earth Sciences

B.S. in Geology

B.S. in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences: Concentration in Meteorology

B.S. in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences: Concentration in Oceanography

Minor in Earth Sciences

M.S. in Applied Geosciences

Affiliations

The Department of Geosciences is a University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) Affiliate.

Program Scope

The Department of Geosciences offers three undergraduate degree programs and a minor program spanning the geosciences (that is, earth sciences), including geology, atmospheric sciences (including meteorology), and oceanography. It also offers a graduate program leading to a Master of Science in Applied Geosciences.

The B.S. in Geology provides rigorous professional education and training in geology with a strong emphasis on investigations in the field (that is, outdoors). It also provides excellent preparation for graduate work in geology. The B.S. in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences includes a Concentration in Meteorology that provides modern professional education and training in meteorology, including weather forecasting, and preparation for graduate work in atmospheric sciences. A Concentration in Oceanography provides analogous preparation in oceanography. The B.A. in Earth Sciences provides a broad, flexible, integrated background in the earth sciences. The Minor in Earth Sciences does the same on a smaller scale and can complement a variety of other majors. The M.S. in Applied Geosciences provides education and training in research in the geosciences in close collaboration with a faculty advisor, with emphasis on applied problems in the San Francisco Bay region.

Career Outlook

Geoscience investigations lead to new discoveries of useful earth materials, solutions to environmental problems, and insights into earth processes that affect people’s lives. Geoscientists contribute basic information to society for analyzing and solving problems and establishing policy for managing resources, protecting the environment, and assessing natural hazards. Dwindling energy, mineral, and water resources, and increasing environmental concern about issues such as global warming and its impacts, present challenges that create a demand for geoscientific expertise.

Graduates in geology, meteorology, and oceanography may pursue a wide range of careers in the earth sciences and related fields. Geologists currently find the greatest opportunities in the broad areas of environmental/engineering geology, including such specializations as surface and groundwater hydrogeology, geotechnical studies aimed at locating and remediating toxic sites, earthquake and landslide hazard assessment, and site evaluation for urban planning or construction. There also continue to be positions available in petroleum geology and minerals exploration. A shortage of certified high school and middle school science teachers has placed qualified teachers in high demand. Meteorologists will find opportunities in short- and long-range weather forecasting, air pollution assessment, wind energy assessment, global climate change research, and broadcast meteorology. For most types of jobs, the strongest candidates will have a master's degree, several years of field experience, and an interdisciplinary background with strong chemistry, physics, mathematics, and computer skills. Geologists and meteorologists are employed by a large number of government agencies, including the U.S. Geological Survey, National Weather Service, Environmental Protection Agency, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, California Division of Mines and Geology, Bureau of Land Management, Army Corps of Engineers, and U.S. Forest Service. Many geologists and some meteorologists in the San Francisco Bay Area work for environmental consulting firms, and some meteorologists become broadcast meteorologists working for local television and radio stations. In addition to preparing students for advanced work as professional geologists, meteorologists, and oceanographers, the M.S. in Applied Geosciences qualifies students to teach at community colleges and prepares others to continue their graduate education in doctoral programs leading to careers in university teaching and research.

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS IN EARTH SCIENCES

The B.A. in Earth Sciences and Minor in Earth Sciences are described and their requirements summarized below.

Course descriptions are available online.

Advising. The Department of Geosciences requires that declared majors consult with an advisor every semester, and prospective majors should consult with an advisor as early as possible, particularly about selecting courses in the General Education program that best fit the major program. Students will also be advised about completing basic science requirements before taking upper division courses in geosciences, and about the order in which required courses should best be taken. Students interested in preparing to teach high school or middle school earth sciences and integrated science should consult the credential adviser in the Department of Geosciences because specific courses beyond the Department’s degree programs are required.

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN EARTH SCIENCES

The Bachelor of Arts in Earth Sciences builds a solid conceptual foundation of basic physical sciences, mathematics, and earth sciences (that is, geology, meteorology, and oceanography). It then helps students to integrate knowledge of these separate disciplines in ways needed to understand and help solve important interdisciplinary problems, such as slowing and adapting to climate change and managing conflicting demands that humans make on the natural environment. It also helps prepare students to advise and educate others about issues requiring knowledge of how the earth works.

Beyond the basic foundation, students have great flexibility to adapt the program to satisfy many possible interests in the earth sciences and prepare for any of a variety of careers where a background in the earth sciences would be beneficial. Some career possibilities include:

· high school and middle school science teaching;

· technical support for firms engaged in environmental engineering, environmental monitoring and protection, natural resource analysis and management, hazardous materials and ecological remediation, computer mapping, etc.;

· technical support to city, county, state, and other governmental agencies charged with land use and other planning;

· preparation for graduate education in such fields as resource management, environmental public policy, and environmental law;

· science writing, editing, and librarianship;

· interpretation for park systems, nature centers, museums, and other areas requiring natural science field skills and natural history communication skills;

· business and entrepreneurism.

Prospective majors are encouraged to consult with an advisor in the Department of Geosciences to learn about graduation requirements and to plan a program adapted to their particular interests.

Students interested in preparing to teach high school or middle school earth sciences and integrated science should consult the teaching credential adviser in the Department of Geosciences, because the Department’s single-subject subject-matter teacher preparation program in geosciences (http://tornado.sfsu.edu/Geosciences/Geosciences_Docs/UndergradPrograms/SingleSubjectCred.html) requires several courses in addition to those required for the B.A. in Earth Sciences.

Course and Unit Requirements for B.A. in Earth Sciences

Basic Science and Math Foundation		Units
GEOL 125 or MATH 226	Quantitative Geology or Calculus I	4
PHYS 111/112 or PHYS 220/222	General Physics I/Laboratory (3/1) or General Physics with Calculus I/Laboratory (3/1)	4
CHEM 115	General Chemistry I: Essential Concepts of Chemistry	5
Chemistry, physics, or mathematics elective (may not be a course intended primarily to satisfy a General Education requirement)		3
Basic science and math foundation total		16
Earth Sciences Foundation
OCN 102/103	Introduction to Oceanography/Laboratory (3/1)	4
GEOL 110	Physical Geology	4
GEOL 115	Earth and Life through Time	4
GEOL 120	Introduction to Geologic Techniques	2
METR/OCN 200	Physical Processes in the Atmosphere and Ocean I	3
METR/OCN 201	Physical Processes in the Atmosphere and Ocean II	3
GEOL/METR/OCN 405	Planetary Climate Change	4
Earth sciences foundation total		24
Earth Sciences Electives 1. select at least 12 units of geology, meteorology, and/or oceanography courses numbered 400 or higher 2. selected courses must be organized around a coherent theme approved by an advisor
Earth sciences electives total		12
Total for the major		52

MINOR IN EARTH SCIENCES

The minor comprises 20 units, including GEOL 110 (“Physical Geology”), GEOL/METR/OCN 405 (“Planetary Climate Change”), and 12 units of geosciences electives. (See program requirements below for restrictions.) Students may complete one of the recommended focus areas listed below or create a coherent alternative designed to complement their major program (such as Anthropology, Art, Biology, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Environmental Studies, Geography, or Physics). All students must meet with a Department of Geosciences faculty advisor to plan a course sequence and subsequently meet with an advisor each semester.

Course and Unit Requirements for Minor in Earth Sciences

Geosciences Requirements		Units
GEOL 110	Physical Geology	4
GEOL/METR/OCN 405	Planetary Climate Change	4
Geosciences Electives 1. Complete 12 units of selected geology, meteorology, and/or oceanography courses in consultation with a Department of Geosciences faculty advisor. 2. At least 6 of the 12 units must be upper division, and no more than 3 of the 6 upper division units can be for General Education courses. 3. At least 3 of the 12 units must be for courses numbered 400 or higher.		12
Total units required for the minor		20

Recommended Focus Areas
Geology Focus		Units
GEOL 110	Physical Geology	4
GEOL 115	Earth and Life Through Time	4
GEOL 120	Introduction to Geologic Techniques	2
GEOL/METR/OCN 405	Planetary Climate Change	4
Electives	Upper division geosciences courses (minimum 3 units at 400 level or higher; no more than 3 units may be for GE courses)	6
Total units		20
Environmental Geology Focus
GEOL 110	Physical Geology	4
GEOL 270	Environmental Geology	4
GEOL/METR/OCN 405	Planetary Climate Change	4
GEOL 450	Geomorphology	4
GEOL 475	Hydrogeology	4
Total units		20
Ocean Science Focus
GEOL 110	Physical Geology	4
OCN 102	Introduction to Oceanography	3
OCN 103	Introduction to Oceanography Laboratory	1
GEOL/METR/OCN 405	Planetary Climate Change	4
GEOL 452	Coastal Processes	3
GEOL 467	Marine Geology	3
Electives	Upper division geosciences coursework	2
Total units		20
Weather and Climate Focus		Units
GEOL 110	Physical Geology	4
METR/OCN 200	Physical Processes in the Atmosphere and Ocean I	3
METR/OCN 201	Physical Processes in the Atmosphere and Ocean II	3
METR 356	California Weather Events	3
GEOL/METR/OCN 405	Planetary Climate Change	4
GEOL 454	Quaternary Climate and Soils	3
Total units		20