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Undergraduate: Earth Space and Sciences

  • Program Overview

    Earth and Space Sciences (ESS)

    Earth and Space Sciences is a broadly based multidisciplinary field combining geology, astronomy, atmospheric science, and marine science administered by the Department of Geosciences (see Geology major for departmental information). The major in Earth and Space Sci­ences is a diversified program in the natural sciences and mathematics aimed at fostering a basic understanding of the earth and space sciences; it also includes concentrated study in any one of the natural sciences or mathematics or interdisciplinary studies in environmental geoscience. Intended for those seeking a science-related career, the program is flexible in that it is designed to meet the needs of students who desire a more diverse liberal arts and sciences background. The various programs prepare students to choose careers in teaching, law, environmental science, secondary education, or research in private industry and government.

  • Degrees and Requirements

    Requirements for the Major in Earth and Space Sciences (ESS)

    The major in Earth and Space Sciences leads to the Bachelor of Arts degree. All courses offered for the major must be passed with a letter grade of C or higher.

    Completion of the major requires ap­proximately 61-73 credits.

    Requirements for the Earth and Space Sciences Track 

    A. Introductory earth and space sciences courses

    • GEO 103  The Earth Through Time and  GEO 113  Historical Geology Laboratory
    • GEO 122 Physical Geology or GEO 102 The Earth and GEO 112 Physical Geology Laboratory
    • AST 101  Introduction to Astronomy
    • AST 112  Astronomy Laboratory
    • ATM 205  Introduction to Atmospheric Sciences

    B. Upper-division earth and space sciences courses

    At least four 300-400 level GEO, AST, or ATM courses (minimum of 3 credits each); at least one must include a laboratory.
    Courses with STAS designation are excluded.

    C. Introductory related science courses

    1. MAT 131 and MAT 132 Calculus I, II. If student does not place into MAT 125 or 131 on the basis of the math placement examination, MAT 123 becomes an additional required course for the major. The following alternate beginning calculus sequences may be substituted for MAT 131 and MAT 132 in major requirements or prerequisites: MAT 125 and MAT 126 and MAT 127; or MAT 141 and MAT 142; or AMS 151 and AMS 161; or MAT 171. Equivalency for MAT courses achieved by earning the appropriate score on a University mathematics placement examination will be accepted as fulfillment of the requirement without the necessity of substituting other credits.
    2. PHY 121 Physics for Life Sciences; or PHY 131 and PHY 133 Classical Physics I and lab; or PHY 141 and PHY 133 Classical Physics I: Honors and lab; or PHY 125 and PHY 126 and PHY 133 (Note: PHY 121 is not accepted for the physics, atmospheric science, mathematics, or astronomy concentrations in D.)
    3. CHE 131 (or CHE 129) and CHE 133 General Chemistry I with laboratory
    4. Either 4a for students not choosing the physics concentration in D. below or 4b for students choosing the physics concentration in D.
          4a. Any two of the following groups
              1. PHY 122 Physics II for Life Sciences; (not accepted for atmospheric science, mathematics, or astronomy concentrations in D.) or PHY 132 and PHY 134 Classical Physics II and laboratory; or PHY 142 and PHY 134 Classical Physics II: Honors and lab; or PHY 126 and PHY 127 and PHY 134 Classical Physics B and C and lab
              2. CHE 132 and CHE 134 General Chemistry II with laboratory
              3. BIO 201 Fundamentals of Biology: Organisms to Ecosystems and BIO 204 Fundamentals of Scientific Inquiry in the Biological Sciences I
          4b. For students choosing the physics concentration 
              1. One of MAT 205, MAT 203, or AMS 261 and one of MAT 305, MAT 303, or AMS 361
                    2. PHY 132 and PHY 134 Classical Physics II and laboratory; or PHY 142 and PHY 134 Classical Physics II: Honors with lab; or PHY 126 and PHY 127 and PHY 134 Classical Physics B and C with lab

    D. Specific science concentration

    At least 12 credits in courses acceptable for one of the following concentrations: astronomy, atmospheric sciences, biology, chemistry, geology, marine sciences, mathematics, or physics. Students must obtain departmental approval of courses chosen to satisfy the specific science concentration.

    E. Upper-division writing and speaking requirement

    Before graduation all students in the Earth and Space Sciences track must register for the 1-credit GEO 496 WRTD course along with a 300-400 level GEO course. Completion of the WRTD requirement requires that a 15 page paper written by the student receives a B or higher as determined by the instructor of the 300-400 level course.  The SBC SPK requirement can be completed with GEO 497 with a grade of 'S'.

    Requirements for the Earth Science Education Track

    A. Introductory science courses

    • GEO 103 The Earth Through Time and GEO 113 Historical Geology Laboratory
    • GEO 122 Physical Geology OR GEO 102 The Earth and GEO 112 Physical Geology Laboratory
    • AST 101 Introduction to Astronomy and AST 112 Astronomy Laboratory
    • ATM 205 Introduction to Atmospheric Sciences
    • BIO 201 Fundamentals of Biology: Organisms to Ecosystems
    • BIO 202 Fundamentals of Biology: Molecular and Cellular Biology
    • BIO 204 Fundamentals of Scientific Inquiry in the Biological Sciences I
    • CHE 131 (or CHE 129) and CHE 132 General Chemistry I and II (see note below)
    • CHE 133 and CHE 134 General Chemistry Laboratory I and II
    • AMS 102 Elements of Statistics
    • MAT 125 Calculus A
    • PHY 119 Physics for Environmental Studies or PHY 125 Classical Physics A and PHY 126 Classical
      Physics B and PHY 133 Classical Physics Laboratory
    • ATM 102 Weather and Climate

    B. Elective Courses

    At least 24 credits chosen in consultation with the program director. At least two of the courses must include a laboratory.

    C. Specific Science Concentration

    At least 12 credits of the 24 elective credits must be chosen from one of the earth and space science disciplines: astronomy, atmospheric sciences or geosciences.

    D. Upper-division writing requirement

    Before graduation all students in the Earth Science Education Track must register for the 1-credit GEO 496 WRTD course along with a 300-400 level GEO course. Completion of the WRTD requires that a 15 page paper written by the student receives a B or higher as determined by the instructor of the 300-400 level course. The SBC SPK requirement can be completed with GEO 497 with a grade of S.

    Earth Science Secondary Teacher Education Program

    See the Education and Teacher Certifi­ca­tion entry in the alphabetical listings of Approved Majors, Minors, and Programs.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Sequence

    Sample Course Sequence for the Major in Earth and Space Sciences

    For more information about SBC courses that fulfill major requirements, click here.

    FRESHMAN

    FALL Credits
    First Year Seminar 101 1
    WRT 101 3
    CHE 131/133 5
    GEO 102 3
    GEO 112 1
    SBC 3
     Total 16
     
    SPRING Credits
    First Year Seminar 102 1
    WRT 102 3
    CHE 132/134 5
    MAT 131 4
    GEO 103
    		3
    GEO 113 1
     Total 17
     
    SOPHOMORE

    FALL Credits
    MAT 132 4
    PHY 121 or PHY 131/PHY 133 4
    GEO 306/366 4
    SBC 3
     Total 15
     
    SPRING Credits
    PHY 122 or PHY 132/PHY 134 4
    GEO/AST/ATM Elective  3
    SBC 3
    SBC  3
    Upper-division SBC  3
     Total 16
     
    JUNIOR

    FALL Credits
    ATM 205 3
    Upper-division Concentration elective  3
    AST 101 3
    AST 112 1
    BIO 201  3
    Upper-division SBC  3
     Total 16
     
    SPRING Credits
    Upper-division Concentration elective 3
    GEO/AST/ATM Elective 4 
    BIO 204 2
    SBC 3
    Upper-division SBC 3
     Upper-division SBC  
     Total 15
     
    SENIOR

    FALL Credits
    Upper-division Concentration elective  3
    Upper-division GEO, AST, or ATM elective   3 
    GEO 458 0
    SBC  3
    Upper-division SBC  3
    Upper-division SBC  3
     Total 15
     
    SPRING Credits
    Upper-division Concentration elective 3
    GEO/AST/ATM Elective  3
    GEO 459 0
    Upper-division elective   3 
    Upper-division SBC  3
    Upper-division SBC  3
     Total 18

     

  • Contact

    Earth and Space Sciences (ESS)

    Interdisciplinary Major in Earth and Space Sciences

    Department of Geosciences, College of Arts and Sciences

    Chair: Brian Phillips

    Director of Undergraduate Studies: Hanna Nekvasil

    Major Advisor: Hanna Nekvasil

    Office: 255 Earth and Space Sciences

    Phone: (631) 632-8201

    Email: Hanna.Nekvasil@stonybrook.edu

    Website: http://www.geosciences.stonybrook.edu/

    Minors of particular interest to students majoring in Geology and Earth and Space Sciences: Environmental Studies (ENS), Marine Sciences (MAR), Engineering minors

     

     

     

     

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