Program Overview

Geosciences, BA

The Geosciences, BA program at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is designed for students who expect to use the earth sciences in preparation for a career in law, business, government, primary or secondary schools, or natural resources. This program requires less math than the BS degree and is more easily combined with complementary majors for students to pursue a double or a triple major.

Program Overview

Geosciences covers our Planet Earth - its soil, minerals, climate change, magnetic fields, earthquakes, water, plants, fossils, volcanoes, and more. Students can opt for either a Bachelor of Science degree (BS) or a Bachelor of Arts degree (BA) in geosciences. The ideal student for Geosciences loves all types of science and is curious about how they interrelate. Many Geosciences students also love the outdoors and traveling off of the beaten path.

Areas of Interest

Geosciences majors at UWM can organize their electives around a particular area of interest if they wish:

• Hard Rock - the study of structural geology, mineralogy, petrology, volcanology, and tectonics
• Hydrogeology - the study of water resources
• Paleontology - the study of evolutionary patterns in history
• Sedimentary Geology - the study of rocks, fossils, and the biological and chemical make-up of landforms

Career Opportunities

Jobs related to geosciences are predicted to grow faster than other professions by 2032 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). Students who are seeking a hands-on career that often incorporates elements of the outdoors and natural world will find geosciences opens a number of different career pathways. Our alumni go on to work in:

• Aerospace and space exploration
• The oil and natural gas industry
• The National Park Service and other state, local, or national preservation and conservation organizations
• Environmental and engineering consulting firms
• Remediation divisions of multinational corporations
• Universities and research organizations

Major Requirements

All students who major in Geosciences must complete at least 15 credits in Geosciences courses at the advanced level (numbered 300 or above) in residence at UWM as part of the 36 advanced-level credits required for the L&S degree. The College requires that students attain at least a 2.0 GPA on all credits in the major attempted at UWM. In addition, students must attain a 2.0 GPA on all major credits attempted, including any transfer work.

Course List

The following courses are required:

• GEO SCI 100: Introduction to the Earth (3 credits)
• GEO SCI 102: Evolution of the Earth (3 credits)
• GEO SCI 301: Principles of Mineralogy (4 credits)
• GEO SCI 302: Elementary Petrology (4 credits)
• GEO SCI 414: Structural Geology (satisfies L&S research requirement) (4 credits)
• GEO SCI 455: Field Geology (normally taken over the summer) (3 credits)
• GEO SCI 511: Stratigraphy and Sedimentation (4 credits)
• Electives: Select 9 additional credits from Geosciences Department courses at the 300 level or above (9 credits)
• Other Requirements: Physics and Chemistry - Select at least one laboratory course in physics and one laboratory course in chemistry selected from the courses required for the Geosciences B.S. Option (9-10 credits)
• Total Credits: 43-44

Advising

Letters & Science students typically work with at least two different types of advisors as they pursue their degrees: professional college advisors and faculty advisors. College advisors are located in Holton Hall and serve as the primary advisor. They assist students in defining their academic and life goals, help create an educational plan, and provide information about campus and community resources. Faculty advisors mentor students in the major and assist them in maximizing their development in the program.

Letters & Science Degree Requirements

In addition to the requirements for the major, students must fulfill a number of other requirements. Students must take a minimum of 120 credits to graduate. These can be thought of as falling into one of three "buckets:" major, general requirements, and electives. Many classes fall into more than one bucket at the same time. It is essential to talk to an advisor to take advantage of those double-counting opportunities.