Professors—Dempsey, Garcia, Garfield, Grove, Monteverdi, Mustart, Pestrong, White
Associate Professors—Caskey
Assistant Professors—Dekens, Janssen, Leech, Sklar
Adjunct Faculty—Abrams, Blier, Campbell, Knox, Null, Roopnarine, Roush, Tang
B.A. in Earth Sciences
Minor in Earth Sciences
The Department of Geosciences is a UCAR (University Corporation for Atmospheric Research) Affiliate.
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.
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:
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 http://tornado.sfsu.edu/Geosciences/Geosciences_Docs/UndergradPrograms/SingleSubjectCred.html single-subject subject-matter teacher preparation program in geosciences requires several courses in addition to those required for the B.A. in Earth Sciences.
On-line course descriptions are available. Courses are 3 units unless indicated otherwise.
| Basic Science and Math Foundation | Units | |
| GEOL 125 or MATH 226 |
Quantitative Geology (4) Calculus I (4) |
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| PHYS 111/112 or PHYS 220/222 |
General Physics I/Laboratory (3/1) General Physics with Calculus I/Laboratory (3/1) |
|
| 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 100/101 | Introduction to Oceanography/Laboratory (3/1) | |
| 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 | |
| METR 201 | Physical Processes in the Atmosphere | |
| 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 |
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| Earth Sciences Electives Total | 12 | |
| Total for the major | 52 | |
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.
Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated. On-line course descriptions are available.
| 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 may be courses designed primarily for General Education. 3. At least 3 of the 12 units must be for courses numbered 400 or higher. |
12 | |
| Total units required for the minor | 20 | |
| 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 courses designed primarily for General Education.) | 6 |
| Total units Geology Focus | 20 | |
| Environmental Geology Focus | Units | |
| GEOL 110 | Physical Geology (4) | |
| GEOL 270 | Environmental Geology (4) | |
| GEOL/METR/OCN 405 | Planetary Climate Change (4) | |
| GEOL 450 | Geomorphology | |
| GEOL 475 | Hydrogeology (4) | |
| Total units Environmental Geology Focus | 20 | |
| Ocean Science Focus | Units | |
| GEOL 110 | Physical Geology (4) | |
| OCN 100 | Introduction to Oceanography | |
| OCN 101 | Introduction to Oceanography Laboratory (1) | |
| GEOL/METR/OCN 405 | Planetary Climate Change (4) | |
| GEOL 452 | Coastal Processes | |
| GEOL 467 | Marine Geology | |
| Electives | Upper division geosciences coursework (2) | |
| Total units Ocean Science Focus | 20 | |
| Weather and Climate Focus | Units | |
| GEOL 110 | Physical Geology (4) | |
| METR/OCN 200 | Physical Processes in the Atmosphere and Ocean | |
| METR 201 | Physical Processes in the Atmosphere | |
| METR 356 | California Weather Events | |
| GEOL/METR/OCN 405 | Planetary Climate Change (4) | |
| GEOL 454 | Quaternary Climate and Soils | |
| Total units Weather and Climate Focus | 20 | |
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Last modified Tuesday, January 27, 2009 11:52 AM