Earth Science Major

Students who choose to major in earth science must complete the following requirements in addition to the special requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree:

Requirements
Courses Hours
Biology: BIOL 1161, 1162, 1361, 1362 8
Chemistry: CHEM 1111, 1112, 1331 and 1332 8
Mathematics: MATH 1310 and 1330 6
Physics: PHYS 1101, 1102, 1301 and 1302 8
Electives: Twenty-two semester hours of approved electives, of which 12 must be advanced, to include the NSM Capstone requirement. 22
Geoscience: GEOL 1130, 1176, 1330, 1376, 3177, 3178, 3340, 3370,3372, 3377, and 3378, and 7 additional hours, of which 3 must be advanced. 32

Suggested Program - Bachelor of Arts in Earth Science

First Year

Fall Semester Suggested Program
Courses Hours
GEOL 1130. Physical Geology Laboratory 1
GEOL 1330. Physical Geology 3
CHEM 1111. Fundamentals of Chemistry Laboratory 1
CHEM 1331. Fundamentals of Chemistry 3
ENGL 1303. First Year Writing I 1 3
HIST 1377. The United States to 1877 or equivalent 3
MATH 1310. College Algebra 3
Total 17
Spring Semester Suggested Program
Courses Hours
GEOL 1176. Historical Geology Laboratory 1
GEOL 1376. Historical Geology 3
CHEM 1112. Fundamentals of Chemistry Laboratory 1
CHEM 1332. Fundamentals of Chemistry 3
ENGL 1304. First Year Writing II 1 3
HIST 1378. The United States Since 1877 or equivalent 3
MATH 1330. Precalculus 3
Total 17

Second Year

Fall Semester Suggested Program
Courses Hours
GEOL 3370. Mineralogy 3
POLS 1336. U.S. and Texas Constitutions and Politics or equivalent 3
Foreign Language at the 2000-level 3
Visual/Performing Arts Core 3
Approved Elective 3
Total 15
Spring Semester Suggested Program
Courses Hours
GEOL 3340. Geologic Field Methods 3
GEOL 3372. Petrography 3
POLS 1337. U.S. Government: Congress, President and Courts or equivalent 3
Core distribution elective 3
Foreign Language at the 2000-level 3
Total 15

Third Year

Fall Semester Suggested Program
Courses Hours
GEOL 3178. Introduction to Atmospheric Science and Weather Information Laboratory 1
GEOL 3378. Introduction to Atmospheric Science and Weather Information 3
PHYS 1101. Introductory General Physics Laboratory 1
PHYS 1301. Introductory General Physics 3
Approved GEOL Elective 1
Core distribution elective 3
Approved Elective 3
Total 15
Spring Semester Suggested Program
Courses Hours
GEOL 3177. Introductory Oceanography Laboratory 1
GEOL 3377. Introductory Oceanography 3
PHYS 1102. Introductory General Physics Laboratory 1
PHYS 1302. Introductory General Physics 3
Core distribution elective 3
Approved Elective 4
Total 15

Fourth Year

Fall Semester Suggested Program
Courses Hours
BIOL 1361. Introduction to Biological Science I 3
BIOL 1161.Introduction to Biological Science I Lab 1
Approved GEOL Elective (Advanced) 3
Approved Elective (Advanced) (NSM Capstone Requirement) 3
Approved Elective (Advanced) 3
Total 13
Spring Semester Suggested Program
Courses Hours
BIOL 1362. Introduction to Biological Science II 3
BIOL 1162. Introduction to Biological Science II Lab 1
Approved GEOL Elective (Advanced) 3
Approved Elective (Advanced) (NSM Capstone Requirement) 3
Approved Elective (Advanced) 3
Total 13

This suggested program is recommended for well-prepared, full-time, entering freshmen who are not working. Modification of this sequence may be desirable for working, part-time and transfer students.

Geosciences courses are commonly offered on a one or two year cycle. Therefore it is the student's responsibility to become familiar with course scheduling and the prerequisites for courses and to consult with the undergraduate advisor regularly.

All students are responsible for the completion of 36 advanced semester hours required for a University of Houston degree.

Catalog Publish Date: August 22, 2012
This Page Last Updated: June 27, 2011