Earth Science - B.A. - Kent State Univ

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Program Facts

About Program

About University

Admission Requirements

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Program Facts

Program Details

Degree

Bachelors

Major

Earth Sciences | Environmental Sciences | Geology

Area of study

Natural Science

Course Language

English

About Program

Program Overview

Earth Science - B.A.

Overview

Our Bachelor of Arts in Earth Science provides you with the knowledge and skills needed to understand the dynamic processes that shape our planet. With a focus on interdisciplinary learning and hands-on experiences, you will be prepared for a variety of careers in the geosciences.

Contact Information

Joseph Ortiz (Kent Campus)
Carrie Schweitzer (Stark Campus)
Speak with an Advisor
- Kent Campus
- Stark Campus

Program Delivery

Delivery: In person
Location:
- Kent Campus
- Stark Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries

Geological and hydrologic technicians
- 5.5% faster than the average
- 19,000 number of jobs
- $50,630 potential earnings

Admission Requirements

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students.

First-Year Students on the Kent Campus: First-year admission policy on the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon cumulative grade point average, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends. Students not admissible to the Kent Campus may be administratively referred to one of the seven regional campuses to begin their college coursework.
First-Year Students on the Regional Campuses: First-year admission to Kent State’s campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, as well as the Twinsburg Academic Center, is open to anyone with a high school diploma or its equivalent.
International Students: All international students must provide proof of proficiency of the English language (unless they meet specific exceptions) through the submission of an English language proficiency test score or by completing English language classes at Kent State’s English as a Second Language Center before entering their program.
Former Students: Former Kent State students who have not attended another institution since Kent State and were not academically dismissed will complete the re-enrollment process through the Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center. Former students who attended another college or university since leaving Kent State must apply for admissions as a transfer or post-undergraduate student.
Transfer Students: Students who attended an educational institution after graduating from high school or earning their GED must apply as transfer students.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Course List Code | Title | Credit Hours
- CHEM 10060 | GENERAL CHEMISTRY I (KBS) | 4
- CHEM 10062 | GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) | 1
- ESCI 11040 | HOW THE EARTH WORKS (KBS) | 3
- ESCI 11041 | HOW THE EARTH WORKS LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) | 1
- ESCI 11042 | EARTH AND LIFE THROUGH TIME (KBS) | 3
- ESCI 22000 | DEGREE AND CAREER PATHS IN EARTH SCIENCES (ELR) | 1
- ESCI 23063 | EARTH MATERIALS I | 4
- ESCI 31070 | EARTH MATERIALS II (WIC) | 4
- ESCI 42035 | DATA ANALYSIS IN THE EARTH SCIENCES | 3
- GEOG 49070 | GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE | 4
- MATH 11010 | ALGEBRA FOR CALCULUS (KMCR) | 3
- Earth Science (ESCI) Upper-Division Electives (30000 or 40000 level) | 9
- Geography (GEOG) Upper-Division Electives (30000 or 40000 level) | 6

Additional Program Requirements

UC 10001 | FLASHES 101 | 1
Foreign Language (see Foreign Language College Requirement below) | 10-16
Kent Core Composition | 6
Kent Core Humanities and Fine Arts (minimum one course from each) | 9
Kent Core Social Sciences (must be from two disciplines) | 6
General Electives (total credit hours depends on earning 120 credit hours, including 39 upper-division credit hours) | 42
Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 120

Graduation Requirements

Graduation Requirements Summary
- Minimum Major GPA | 2.000
- Minimum Overall GPA | 2.000

Roadmap

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history.

Semester One
- ESCI 11040 | HOW THE EARTH WORKS (KBS) | 3
- ESCI 11041 | HOW THE EARTH WORKS LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) | 1
- MATH 11010 | ALGEBRA FOR CALCULUS (KMCR) | 3
- UC 10001 | FLASHES 101 | 1
- Foreign Language | 4
- Kent Core Requirement | 3
- Credit Hours | 15
Semester Two
- ESCI 11042 | EARTH AND LIFE THROUGH TIME (KBS) | 3
- ESCI 22000 | DEGREE AND CAREER PATHS IN EARTH SCIENCES (ELR) | 1
- ESCI 42035 | DATA ANALYSIS IN THE EARTH SCIENCES | 3
- Foreign Language | 4
- Kent Core Requirement | 3
- Credit Hours | 14
Semester Three
- CHEM 10060 | GENERAL CHEMISTRY I (KBS) | 4
- CHEM 10062 | GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) | 1
- ESCI 23063 | EARTH MATERIALS I | 4
- Foreign Language and/or General Elective | 3
- Kent Core Requirement | 3
- Kent Core Requirement | 3
- Credit Hours | 18
Semester Four
- ESCI 31070 | EARTH MATERIALS II (WIC) | 4
- GEOG 49070 | GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE | 4
- Foreign Language and/or General Elective | 3
- Kent Core Requirement | 3
- Credit Hours | 14
Semester Five
- Earth Science (ESCI) Upper-Division Elective (30000 or 40000 level) | 3
- Geography (GEOG) Upper-Division Elective (30000 or 40000 level) | 3
- Kent Core Requirement | 3
- Kent Core Requirement | 3
- General Elective | 3
- Credit Hours | 15
Semester Six
- Earth Science (ESCI) Upper-Division Elective (30000 or 40000 level) | 3
- Geography (GEOG) Upper-Division Elective (30000 or 40000 level) | 3
- General Electives | 9
- Credit Hours | 15
Semester Seven
- Earth Science (ESCI) Upper-Division Elective (30000 or 40000 level) | 3
- General Electives | 12
- Credit Hours | 15
Semester Eight
- General Electives | 14
- Credit Hours | 14
Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 120

University Requirements

All students in a bachelor's degree program at Kent State University must complete the following university requirements for graduation.

Flashes 101 (UC 10001) | 1 credit hour
Course is not required for students with 30+ transfer credits (excluding College Credit Plus) or age 21+ at time of admission.
Diversity Domestic/Global (DIVD/DIVG) | 2 courses
- Students must successfully complete one domestic and one global course, of which one must be from the Kent Core.
Experiential Learning Requirement (ELR) | varies
- Students must successfully complete one course or approved experience.
Kent Core (see table below) | 36-37 credit hours
Writing-Intensive Course (WIC) | 1 course
- Students must earn a minimum C grade in the course.
Upper-Division Requirement | 39 credit hours
- Students must successfully complete 39 upper-division (numbered 30000 to 49999) credit hours to graduate.
Total Credit Hour Requirement | 120 credit hours

Kent Core Requirements

Kent Core Composition (KCMP) | 6
Kent Core Mathematics and Critical Reasoning (KMCR) | 3
Kent Core Humanities and Fine Arts (KHUM/KFA) (min one course each) | 9
Kent Core Social Sciences (KSS) (must be from two disciplines) | 6
Kent Core Basic Sciences (KBS/KLAB) (must include one laboratory) | 6-7
Kent Core Additional (KADL) | 6
Total Credit Hours: | 36-37

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

Understand and communicate to others:

The nature of scientific investigation and evidence.
The complex interrelationships of the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere through geologic time.

Understand Earth materials and interpret geologic and environmental processes.
Synthesize geologic information to understand and solve geologic and environmental problems.
Demonstrate critical thinking skills.
Work as a geologist in the field and laboratory.

Program Policies

Foreign Language Requirements

In general, students may elect any foreign language taught through the Department of Modern and Classical Language Studies. However, certain majors, concentrations and minors require specific languages or limit the languages from which students may choose. In addition, students who plan to pursue graduate study may need particular languages for that study. In such cases, students should seek the advice of the appropriate department before selecting a language.

Progress Toward Fulfillment

College of Arts and Sciences students are encouraged to begin meeting the foreign language requirement as early as possible in their program to ensure timely degree completion.

Mandatory Outcomes Assessment

In addition to the other General Requirements of the college, candidates for an undergraduate degree in the College of Arts and Sciences are required, as a condition of graduation, to participate in an outcomes assessment. These outcomes assessments are conducted by each undergraduate degree program in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Full Description

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Earth Science is ideal for students interested in broad interdisciplinary study of the key natural and physical processes that shape the planet, leading to potential careers in environmental or earth system fields. The program requires courses covering physical geology, minerals and rocks and geographic information science. Most geology courses have extensive (one-to-three-day) excursions that allow students to obtain valuable field experience.

Graduates have opportunities for employment in a wide variety of careers where an understanding of natural science is useful or critical for success. Earth science can be a strong background for advanced study or career development in areas such as business, city management, regional development, planning, law, journalism and science writing.

Program Outline

With a focus on interdisciplinary learning and hands-on experiences, you will be prepared for a variety of careers in the geosciences. The Bachelor of Arts degree in Earth Science is ideal for students interested in broad interdisciplinary study of the key natural and physical processes that shape the planet, leading to potential careers in environmental or earth system fields. The program requires courses in physical geology, minerals and rocks and geographic information science. Most geology courses have extensive (one-to-three-day) excursions that allow students to obtain valuable field experience. Graduates have opportunities for employment in a wide variety of careers where an understanding of natural science is useful or critical in success. Earth science can be a strong background for advanced study or career development in areas such as business, city management, regional development, planning, law, journalism and science writing.

Outline:

Major Requirements:

CHEM 10060 GENERAL CHEMISTRY I (KBS) 4
CHEM 10062 GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) 1
ESCI 11040 HOW THE EARTH WORKS (KBS) 3
ESCI 11041 HOW THE EARTH WORKS LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) 1
ESCI 11042 EARTH AND LIFE THROUGH TIME (KBS) 3 or ESCI 21062 ENVIRONMENTAL EARTH SCIENCE (KBS) or ESCI 21080 ALL ABOUT THE OCEANS (KBS)
ESCI 22000 DEGREE AND CAREER PATHS IN EARTH SCIENCES (ELR) 1
ESCI 23063 EARTH MATERIALS I 4
ESCI 31070 EARTH MATERIALS II (WIC) 4
GEOG 49070 GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE 4
MATH 11010 ALGEBRA FOR CALCULUS (KMCR) 3
Earth Science (ESCI) Upper-Division Electives (30000 or 40000 level) 29
Geography (GEOG) Upper-Division Electives (30000 or 40000 level), choose from the following: 26
GEOG 31062 FUNDAMENTALS OF METEOROLOGY
GEOG 31064 CLIMATE AND THE ENVIRONMENT
GEOG 41065 APPLIED CLIMATOLOGY
GEOG 41066 GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE
GEOG 49078 GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS

Additional Program Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA):

UC 10001 FLASHES 101 1
Foreign Language (see Foreign Language College Requirement below) 14-16
Kent Core Composition 6
Kent Core Humanities and Fine Arts (minimum one course from each) 9
Kent Core Social Sciences (must be from two disciplines) 6
General Electives (total credit hours depends on earning 120 credit hours, including 39 upper-division credit hours) 38

Graduation Requirements:

Minimum Major GPA 2.000
Minimum Overall GPA 2.000

Students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts degree in the College of Arts and Sciences must complete 14-16 credit hours of foreign language. To complete the requirement, students need the equivalent of Elementary I and II in any language, plus one of the following options:

Intermediate I and II of the same language
Elementary I and II of a second language
Any combination of two courses from the following list:
Intermediate I of the same language
ARAB 21401
ASL 19401
CHIN 25421
MCLS 10001
MCLS 20001
MCLS 20091
MCLS 21417
MCLS 21420
MCLS 22217
MCLS 28403
MCLS 28404

Roadmap:

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Plan of Study Grid:

Semester One:
ESCI 11040 HOW THE EARTH WORKS (KBS) 3
ESCI 11041 HOW THE EARTH WORKS LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) 1
MATH 11010 ALGEBRA FOR CALCULUS (KMCR) 3
UC 10001 FLASHES 101 1
Foreign Language 4
Kent Core Requirement 3
Total Credit Hours 15
Semester Two:
ESCI 11042 EARTH AND LIFE THROUGH TIME (KBS) 3
ESCI 22000 DEGREE AND CAREER PATHS IN EARTH SCIENCES (ELR) 1
Foreign Language 4
Kent Core Requirement 3
Total Credit Hours 14
Semester Three:
CHEM 10060 GENERAL CHEMISTRY I (KBS) 4
CHEM 10062 GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) 1
ESCI 23063 EARTH MATERIALS I 4
Foreign Language 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Total Credit Hours 18
Semester Four:
ESCI 31070 EARTH MATERIALS II (WIC) 4
GEOG 49070 GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE 4
Foreign Language 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Total Credit Hours 14
Semester Five:
Earth Science (ESCI) Upper-Division Elective (30000 or 40000 level) 3
Geography (GEOG) Upper-Division Elective (30000 or 40000 level) 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
General Elective 3
Total Credit Hours 15
Semester Six:
Earth Science (ESCI) Upper-Division Elective (30000 or 40000 level) 3
Geography (GEOG) Upper-Division Elective (30000 or 40000 level) 3
General Electives 9
Total Credit Hours 15
Semester Seven:
Earth Science (ESCI) Upper-Division Elective (30000 or 40000 level) 3
General Electives 12
Total Credit Hours 15
Semester Eight:
General Electives 14
Total Credit Hours 14

Minimum Total Credit Hours: 120

University Requirements:

All students in a bachelor's degree program at Kent State University must complete the following university requirements for graduation. NOTE: University requirements may be fulfilled in this program by specific course requirements.

Bachelor's Requirements:

Flashes 101 (UC 10001) 1 credit hour
Course is not required for students with 30+ transfer credits (excluding College Credit Plus) or age 21+ at time of admission.
Diversity Domestic/Global (DIVD/DIVG) 2 courses
Students must successfully complete one domestic and one global course, of which one must be from the Kent Core.
Experiential Learning Requirement (ELR) varies
Students must successfully complete one course or approved experience.
Kent Core (see table below) 36-37 credit hours
Writing-Intensive Course (WIC) 1 course
Students must earn a minimum C grade in the course.
Upper-Division Requirement 39 credit hours
Students must successfully complete 39 upper-division (numbered 30000 to 49999) credit hours to graduate.
Total Credit Hour Requirement 120 credit hours

Kent Core Requirements:

Kent Core Composition (KCMP) 6
Kent Core Mathematics and Critical Reasoning (KMCR) 3
Kent Core Humanities and Fine Arts (KHUM/KFA) (min one course each) 9
Kent Core Social Sciences (KSS) (must be from two disciplines) 6
Kent Core Basic Sciences (KBS/KLAB) (must include one laboratory) 6-7
Kent Core Additional (KADL) 6
Total Credit Hours: 36-37

Careers:

Graduates have opportunities for employment in a wide variety of careers where an understanding of natural science is useful or critical in success. Earth science can be a strong background for advanced study or career development in areas such as business, city management, regional development, planning, law, journalism and science writing.

Other:

Most geology courses have extensive (one-to-three-day) excursions that allow students to obtain valuable field experience.
A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.
Other relevant courses may be substituted in consultation with an advisor.
All students with prior foreign language experience should take the foreign language placement test to determine the appropriate level at which to start.
Certain majors, concentrations and minors may require specific languages, limit the languages from which a student may choose or require coursework through Intermediate II.