Earth Science - Bachelor of Science (BS)

The undergraduate program in earth science includes two options leading to the BS degree, geosciences and geophysics. Both options provide a strong basis for understanding the functioning of the Earth system. Students who are uncertain as to which option best suits their needs should contact a departmental advisor or faculty member. In each option, the undergraduate program emphasizes coursework in theoretical, laboratory and field-oriented aspects of earth science. The nearby Rocky Mountains provide a natural laboratory for many of these courses.

Students interested in earth science may also wish to consider the Baker Residential Academic Program. Students who do not wish to pursue a career in earth science, or who would like to combine a basic knowledge of earth science with that of some other field, should consider using earth science as one subject in a distributed studies major or as a minor. Students who intend to pursue graduate study in earth science are encouraged to consider developing an honors thesis as part of their undergraduate studies.

The two options available in the undergraduate major offer different focus areas of instruction. Both options offer excellent preparation for students interested in pursuing professional careers, or graduate study, in earth science.

Each option emphasizes knowledge in:

• The ways in which Earth responds to internal and external forces; the physical, chemical and biological evolution of Earth; and the nature of the materials of which the Earth is made.
• The role of physics, chemistry, mathematics and biology in understanding geological processes.
• The history of discoveries and ideas that have contributed to our current knowledge of Earth and the planetary system.

Requirements

Required Courses and Credits

Students must complete the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences and the required courses listed below.

All required major courses and all required ancillary courses must be passed with a C- or better and cannot be taken pass/fail. Students must have a grade point average of at least 2.000 in the major in order to graduate.

Students must specialize in either the geosciences emphasis or the geophysics emphasis. For more information, view the program tracks section.

Required Courses (Both Emphases)

Additional information on required courses and other departmental requirements may be obtained from the departmental office. Students should contact the department for a list of current major requirements.

Transfer students must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 12 credit hours of advanced work (3000-level or above) in the Department of Geological Sciences in Boulder if they wish to obtain a degree in earth sciences from CU Boulder. Before registering for the first time, or within the first week of the semester, such students must see a geological sciences department undergraduate advisor to have previous coursework in geology, math and allied sciences evaluated.

Graduating in Four Years

Consult the Four-Year Guarantee Requirements for information on eligibility. The concept of "adequate progress" as it is used here refers only to maintaining eligibility for the four-year guarantee; it is not a requirement for the major. To maintain adequate progress in earth sciences, students should meet all college requirements plus specific departmental requirements. These departmental requirements vary slightly between the two major options. Detailed information is available from the department office, but in general these requirements include:

• Declare an earth sciences major and begin coursework in the major during the first semester freshman year.
• Meet with a departmental advisor prior to the second and fifth semesters and during the seventh semester.
• Complete at least 33 credit hours (geosciences emphasis; 44 credit hours for geophysics emphasis) required for the major by the end of the fourth semester.
• Complete at least 47 credit hours (geosciences emphasis; 63 credit hours for geophysics emphasis) required for the major by the end of the sixth semester.
• Complete the remaining requirements for the major by the end of the eighth semester.

Program Tracks

Geosciences Emphasis

Students electing the geosciences emphasis are required to take the following additional courses:

Geophysics Emphasis

Students electing the geophysics option are required to take the following additional courses:

Plan(s) of Study 

Geosciences Emphasis

Through the required coursework for either track of the major, students will fulfill all 12 credits of the Natural Sciences area of the Gen Ed Distribution Requirement including the Lab Requirement, as well as the QRMS area of the Gen Ed Skills area.

Geophysics Emphasis

Through the required coursework for either track of the major, students will fulfill all 12 credits of the Natural Sciences area of the Gen Ed Distribution Requirement including the Lab Requirement, as well as the QRMS area of the Gen Ed Skills area.

Learning Outcomes

By the completion of the program, students will be able to:

• Make and record observations (e.g., in the field, from experiments, etc.).
• Analyze data
• Interpret data
• Reason through problems to derive solutions
• Design a research study

Bachelor's–Accelerated Master's Degree Program(s)

The bachelor's–accelerated master's (BAM) degree program options offer currently enrolled CU Boulder undergraduate students the opportunity to receive a bachelor's and master's degree in a shorter period of time. Students receive the bachelor's degree first but begin taking graduate coursework as undergraduates (typically in their senior year).

Because some courses are allowed to double count for both the bachelor's and the master's degrees, students receive a master's degree in less time and at a lower cost than if they were to enroll in a standalone master's degree program after completion of their baccalaureate degree. In addition, staying at CU Boulder to pursue a bachelor's–accelerated master's program enables students to continue working with their established faculty mentors.

BS and MS in Earth Science

Admission Requirements

In order to gain admission to the BAM program named above, a student must meet the following criteria:

• Have a cumulative GPA of 3.000 or higher. 
• Have at least junior class standing.
• Have completed all ancillary (math, physics and chemistry) prerequisite courses with a passing grade at the time of admission.

Program Requirements

Students may take up to and including 12 graduate credit hours while in the undergraduate program which can later be used toward the master's degree. However, only six credit hours may be double counted toward the bachelor's degree and the master's degree. Students must maintain a 3.000 GPA while in the BAM program.

Students must apply to graduate with the bachelor's degree and apply to continue with the master's degree early in the semester in which the undergraduate requirements will be completed.