Department of Earth Science Programs

The B.S. Earth Science with 7-12 teaching certification is intended for students who are interested in becoming middle and high school earth science and general science teachers. The curriculum involves core science content in general science, geology, meteorology, oceanography, astronomy, and environmental earth science as well as content related specifically to the teaching professions.

The Bachelor of Arts in Earth Science provides a broad-based background in the fundamentals of Earth Sciences. It offers maximum flexibility in course selection to enhance interdisciplinary study and makes a double major easily accessible to students in related fields.

The B.S. Earth Science with concentration in Environmental Geoscience is designed for students who want to study Earth Science with an environmental focus. In additon to a foundational courses in geology, meteorology, oceanography, and physical science, the program includes additional coursework in the life sciences and public health. The concentration prepares students for careers in the enviromental and geotechnical fields and graduate- level study in the earth and environmental sciences.

The B.S Earth Science with concentration in general earth science is for students who wish to pursue a rigorous scientific curricula and have broad interests in the earth sciences including geology, meteorology, oceanography, and astronomy.

The B.S. Earth Science with concentration in geology is designed for students who are interested in the study of the solid earth and intend to seek careers as professional geologists. The concentration prepares students for careers in geotechnical industries (energy, mining, agriculture, engineering, government agencies) and graduate-level study in geology and other related fields.

The B.S. Earth Science with concentration in Natural Hazards is designed to provide students with a fundamental background in the underlying science of natural hazards (hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, drought, earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, volcanic eruptions, asteroid impacts, wild fires, and climate change) along with electives in Public Health and Forensics that address elements of the human consequences and response to these natural disasters.  The offering is designed for students who are interested in working for governmental (local, state, and federal) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that help mitigate and provide relief for natural disasters.

The B.S. Earth Science with concentration in Natural Resources provides students with a fundamental background in basic sciences, including both the Life and Physical sciences.  The offering is designed for students who are interested in the study of soil, water, weather/climate, watersheds, and mineral and energy resources that are frequently linked to agriculture/horticulture, forestry, ecology, and wildlife management.  These areas of interest frequently transcend traditional boundaries between the life and physical sciences.  Natural Resources concentration allows students to be awarded a Biology minor as an integral part of the Earth Science degree program.

The Earth Science Minor is a flexible program designed for students who desire a basic knowledge of Earth Science to support cross-disciplinary study and practice with their major field.

The natural resources minor is intended to supplement other primary degree programs at SCSU with a rigorous scientific background and training in areas of the earth sciences related to natural resources. It is intended for students with career interests in the exploration, management, and conservation of Earth's natural resources including minerals, energy, water, and soils.