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Bachelors

Earth and Environmental Sciences, BS

University of Iowa
Iowa City , United States
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Degree
Bachelors
Major
Ecology | Geology
Area of study
Natural Science
Course Language
English
About Program

Program Overview

Earth and Environmental Sciences, Bachelor of Science

The Bachelor of Science with a major in earth and environmental sciences requires a minimum of 120 s.h., including 72–82 s.h. of work for the major, depending on the student's chosen track (earth and planetary science, environmental bioscience, or environmental geoscience). Students must maintain a grade-point average of at least 2.00 in all courses for the major and in all UI courses for the major. They must also complete the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences GE CLAS Core.


Requirements Summary

  • Foundation Courses: 23 s.h.
  • Track Courses: 31-50 s.h.
  • Electives: 9-18 s.h.

Foundation Courses

The following courses are required for all tracks:


  • SEES:1070 Contemporary Environmental Issues
  • SEES:1085 Fundamentals of Environmental Science
  • SEES:2010 Interdisciplinary Environmental Seminar
  • SEES:2050 Foundations of GIS
  • CHEM:1110 Principles of Chemistry I
  • MATH:1850 Calculus I
  • One of the following:
    • CS:1110 Introduction to Computer Science
    • STAT:2010 Statistical Methods and Computing
    • STAT:3510/IGPI:3510 Biostatistics

Tracks

Students must complete one of three tracks: earth and planetary science, environmental bioscience, or environmental geoscience. Courses taken to complete a track requirement may not also be used to satisfy the electives requirement.


Earth and Planetary Science Track

Students in the earth and planetary science track must complete 45–46 s.h. in earth and planetary science track courses, a 3–4 s.h. allied math or science course, and 9 s.h. in elective courses.


Earth and Planetary Science Track Courses

The following courses are required:


  • SEES:1040 Evolution and the History of Life (with laboratory)
  • SEES:1050 Introduction to Geology
  • SEES:2200 Historical Geology
  • SEES:2410 Mineralogy
  • SEES:2831 Geologic Field Methods
  • SEES:3330 Sedimentary Geology
  • SEES:3510 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
  • SEES:3840 Structural Geology
  • SEES:4832 Geologic Field Analysis
  • CHEM:1120 Principles of Chemistry II
  • PHYS:1511 College Physics I
  • or PHYS:1611 Introductory Physics I
  • One of the following:
    • SEES:3210 Principles of Paleontology
    • SEES:3608 Planetary Geology
    • SEES:4490 Elements of Geochemistry
    • SEES:4630 Hydrogeology
    • SEES:4790 Applied Environmental Geology
    • SEES:4800 Global Geophysics
Allied Math or Science Course

One of the following courses is required:


  • a biology course (prefix BIOL)
  • a chemistry course (prefix CHEM) numbered above 1120
  • a mathematics course (prefix MATH) numbered 1860 or above
  • a statistics course (prefix STAT) numbered 2000 or above
  • PHYS:1512 College Physics II
  • PHYS:1612 Introductory Physics II

Environmental Bioscience Track

Students in the environmental bioscience track must complete 31–33 s.h. in environmental bioscience track courses and 18 s.h. in elective courses.


Environmental Bioscience Track Courses

The following courses are required:


  • SEES:2673/BIOL:2673 Ecology
  • SEES:3020 Earth Surface Processes
  • SEES:3315 Ecosystem Ecology
  • BIOL:1411 Foundations of Biology
  • BIOL:1412 Diversity of Form and Function
  • CHEM:1120 Principles of Chemistry II
  • One of the following:
    • SEES:2374/BIOL:2374 Biogeography
    • SEES:2950 Environmental Conservation
    • SEES:3070 Marine Ecosystems and Conservation
  • One of the following:
    • SEES:2310 Introduction to Climatology
    • SEES:3320 Earth's Climate System
  • One of the following:
    • SEES:3220 Evolution of the Vertebrates
    • BIOL:1261 Introduction to Botany
    • BIOL:2246 Entomology Lab
    • An approved organismal course at the Iowa Lakeside Laboratory (prefix IALL)

Environmental Geoscience Track

Students in the environmental geoscience track must complete 43 s.h. in environmental geoscience track courses and 12 s.h. in elective courses.


Environmental Geoscience Track Courses

The following courses are required:


  • SEES:1050 Introduction to Geology
  • SEES:2673/BIOL:2673 Ecology
  • SEES:3020 Earth Surface Processes
  • SEES:3330 Sedimentary Geology
  • SEES:3360 Soil Genesis and Geomorphology
  • SEES:4630 Hydrogeology
  • SEES:4790 Applied Environmental Geology
  • CHEM:1120 Principles of Chemistry II
  • MATH:1860 Calculus II
  • One of the following sequences:
    • PHYS:1511 and PHYS:1512 College Physics I and II
    • PHYS:1611 and PHYS:1612 Introductory Physics I and II
  • One of the following:
    • SEES:2310 Introduction to Climatology
    • SEES:3320 Earth's Climate System

Electives

Elective courses each fall into one of five categories: chemistry, earth systems, ecology and the biosphere, field study, or research and internships. All students must complete at least 3 s.h. from the field study category except for students in the earth and planetary science track. Students in the environmental bioscience or environmental geoscience track must select courses from at least three additional elective categories. At least three of the elective courses must be numbered 3000 or above.


Field Study Electives

The following courses are approved for the field study category:


  • SEES:1179 and SEES:1180 Geology of National Parks: Preparation and Planning and Geology of National Parks: Field Trip
  • SEES:2001 Second-Year Field Trip for Earth and Environmental Sciences
  • SEES:2831 Geologic Field Methods
  • SEES:3001 Third-Year Field Trip for Earth and Environmental Sciences
  • SEES:3095 Field Ecology
  • SEES:3096 Winter Ecology
  • SEES:3097 Introduction to Bird Study
  • SEES:3160 Field Trip
  • SEES:3230 Prairie Restoration
  • SEES:4001 Fourth-Year Field Trip for Earth and Environmental Sciences
  • SEES:4010 Field Methods in Physical Geography
  • SEES:4680 Field Methods in Hydrologic Science
  • SEES:4832 Geologic Field Analysis
  • Approved Iowa Lakeside Laboratory courses (prefix IALL)

Chemistry Electives

The following courses are approved for the chemistry category:


  • SEES:4110 Global Biogeochemical Cycles
  • SEES:4490 Elements of Geochemistry
  • CEE:4150/CBE:4420 Environmental Chemistry
  • CEE:4158/OEH:4920 Solid and Hazardous Wastes
  • CEE:5440 Foundations of Environmental Chemistry and Microbiology
  • CHEM:2021 Fundamentals of Chemical Measurements
  • CHEM:2210 Organic Chemistry I
  • CHEM:3110 Equilibria and Electrochemistry
  • CHEM:3120 Spectroscopy and Separations
  • CHEM:3430 Analytical Measurements

Earth Systems Electives

The following courses are approved for the earth systems category:


  • SEES:1050 Introduction to Geology
  • SEES:2200 Historical Geology
  • SEES:2310 Introduction to Climatology
  • SEES:2410 Mineralogy
  • SEES:3020 Earth Surface Processes
  • SEES:3080 Introduction to Oceanography
  • SEES:3320 Earth's Climate System
  • SEES:3330 Sedimentary Geology
  • SEES:3360 Soil Genesis and Geomorphology
  • SEES:3380/CEE:3328 Fluvial Geomorphology
  • SEES:3390 Integrated Watershed Analysis
  • SEES:3500/IGPI:3500 Introduction to Environmental Remote Sensing
  • SEES:3510 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
  • SEES:3570 Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR): Principles and Applications
  • SEES:3608 Planetary Geology
  • SEES:3840 Structural Geology
  • SEES:4310 Climate Change
  • SEES:4500/IGPI:4500 Advanced Remote Sensing
  • SEES:4630 Hydrogeology
  • SEES:4640 Contaminant Hydrogeology
  • SEES:4720 Paleoclimatology
  • SEES:4760 Mineral and Petroleum Exploration Geology
  • SEES:4780 Global Stratigraphy
  • SEES:4790 Applied Environmental Geology
  • SEES:4820 Tectonics and Basin Analysis
  • SEES:4832 Geologic Field Analysis

Ecology and the Biosphere Electives

The following courses are approved for the ecology and the biosphere category:


  • SEES:2374/BIOL:2374 Biogeography
  • SEES:2950 Environmental Conservation
  • SEES:3070 Marine Ecosystems and Conservation
  • SEES:3210 Principles of Paleontology
  • SEES:3220 Evolution of the Vertebrates
  • SEES:3315 Ecosystem Ecology
  • SEES:3350 Urban Ecology
  • SEES:4470 Ecological Climatology
  • SEES:4600 Biogeography, Ecology, and Conservation of Mammals
  • BIOL:1261 Introduction to Botany
  • BIOL:2246 Entomology Lab
  • BIOL:2663 Plant Response to the Environment
  • BIOL:3244 Animal Behavior

Research and Internship Electives

The following courses are approved for the research and internship category:


  • SEES:3190 Undergraduate Directed Study
  • SEES:3992 Undergraduate Research
  • SEES:4995 Honors Thesis
  • BIOL:3994 Introduction to Research
  • BIOL:4999 Honors Research in Biology
  • CCP:1201 Academic Internship

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will:


  • understand planetary and ecosystem processes across diverse spatial and temporal scales;
  • understand past and present interactions within the Earth-life system, including human interactions and interventions;
  • develop the ability to collect and interpret environmental field data within a focused sub-discipline of earth and environmental sciences; and
  • develop a quantitative, analytical skill set to integrate the diverse array of earth sciences and related disciplines.

Honors in the Major

Within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, each major develops its own requirements to achieve honors in the major. In order to graduate with honors in the major, students in the School of Earth, Environment, and Sustainability (SEES) pursue study beyond the typical undergraduate level. They work under the direction of a faculty member to conduct original research and then prepare and present a written honors thesis based on their work.


Potential honors students must complete an honors thesis contract with their advisor and obtain approval from the department's undergraduate committee by the first semester of their senior year or earlier. They are also required to register for SEES:4995 Honors Thesis as they work to complete their thesis, where they must earn a grade of B or higher. Additionally, SEES honors students must maintain a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.33 in all University of Iowa and SEES coursework.


GE CLAS Core

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences GE CLAS Core requirements provide students with a broad foundation of knowledge and a focused practice of transferable skills necessary for a lifetime of learning.


Communication and Literacy

  • Understanding Cultural Perspectives: a minimum of 3 s.h.
  • Interpretation of Literature: a minimum of 3 s.h.
  • Rhetoric: a minimum of 4 s.h.
  • World Languages Pathways: required credit varies (see "World Languages Pathways" in this section of the catalog)

Sustainability

Students complete this requirement by choosing an approved GE CLAS Core course that integrates Sustainability (with no additional semester hours) with a course from the Natural, Quantitative, and Social Sciences category or the Culture, Society, and the Arts category.


Natural, Quantitative, and Social Sciences

  • Natural Sciences: a minimum of 7 s.h.; must include one lab
  • Quantitative or Formal Reasoning: a minimum of 3 s.h.
  • Social Sciences: a minimum of 3 s.h.

Culture, Society, and the Arts

  • Historical Perspectives: a minimum of 3 s.h.
  • International and Global Issues: a minimum of 3 s.h.
  • Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts: a minimum of 3 s.h.
  • Values and Society: a minimum of 3 s.h.

Career Advancement

Graduates with degrees in earth and environmental sciences find jobs and careers with a variety of public, private, and nonprofit organizations with roles ranging from research to outreach. Possible careers include environmental science consultant, state or U.S. Geological Survey scientist, state regulatory agency scientist, Environmental Protection Agency scientist, National Resource Conservation Service scientist, academic researcher (requires graduate school), environmental education teacher, K–12 education teacher, land manager or steward, museum curator, natural hazard assessment and mitigation scientist or manager, renewable energy scientist or manager, science writer and communication specialist, National Park Service guide, resource exploration and extraction scientist, nature facility scientist and program manager, and restoration designer and manager.


Sample Plans of Study

Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.


Earth and Planetary Science Track

Plan of Study Grid (Manual) Academic Career


  • First Year:
    • Fall: CHEM:1110 Principles of Chemistry I, SEES:1050 Introduction to Geology, SEES:1085 Fundamentals of Environmental Science, ENGL:1200 The Interpretation of Literature or RHET:1030 Rhetoric: Writing and Communication, CSI:1600 Success at Iowa
    • Spring: CHEM:1120 Principles of Chemistry II, SEES:1040 Evolution and the History of Life, SEES:2200 Historical Geology, RHET:1030 Rhetoric: Writing and Communication or ENGL:1200 The Interpretation of Literature
  • Second Year:
    • Fall: MATH:1850 Calculus I, SEES:2010 Interdisciplinary Environmental Seminar, SEES:2410 Mineralogy, GE CLAS Core: Social Sciences, GE CLAS Core: World Languages First Level Proficiency or elective course
    • Spring: SEES:1070 Contemporary Environmental Issues, SEES:3510 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology, Major: earth and planetary science track elective course (prefix SEES, numbered 3000 or above), GE CLAS Core: World Languages Second Level Proficiency or elective course, Elective course
  • Third Year:
    • Fall: PHYS:1611 Introductory Physics I or PHYS:1511 College Physics I, SEES:3330 Sedimentary Geology, GE CLAS Core: Understanding Cultural Perspectives, GE CLAS Core: World Languages Third Level Proficiency or elective course
    • Spring: SEES:2050 Foundations of GIS, SEES:3840 Structural Geology, GE CLAS Core: Historical Perspectives, GE CLAS Core: World Languages Fourth Level Proficiency or elective course
  • Fourth Year:
    • Fall: CS:1110 Introduction to Computer Science or STAT:3510 Biostatistics or STAT:2010 Statistical Methods and Computing, Major: "one of these" earth and planetary track course, Major: earth and planetary science track elective course (prefix SEES, numbered 3000 or above), GE CLAS Core: Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts, Elective course
    • Spring: Major: allied math or science course, Major: earth and planetary science track elective course (prefix SEES, numbered 3000 or above), GE CLAS Core: Values and Society, Elective course, Elective course, Degree Application: apply on MyUI before deadline (typically in February for spring, September for fall)

Environmental Bioscience Track

Plan of Study Grid (Manual) Academic Career


  • First Year:
    • Fall: CHEM:1110 Principles of Chemistry I, SEES:1085 Fundamentals of Environmental Science, SEES:1070 Contemporary Environmental Issues, RHET:1030 Rhetoric: Writing and Communication or ENGL:1200 The Interpretation of Literature, CSI:1600 Success at Iowa
    • Spring: CHEM:1120 Principles of Chemistry II, MATH:1850 Calculus I, RHET:1030 Rhetoric: Writing and Communication or ENGL:1200 The Interpretation of Literature, GE CLAS Core: Understanding Cultural Perspectives, Elective course
  • Second Year:
    • Fall: BIOL:1411 Foundations of Biology, SEES:2010 Interdisciplinary Environmental Seminar, SEES:3020 Earth Surface Processes, GE CLAS Core: World Languages First Level Proficiency or elective course, Elective course
    • Spring: BIOL:1412 Diversity of Form and Function, Major: environmental bioscience track elective course, GE CLAS Core: Social Sciences, GE CLAS Core: World Languages Second Level Proficiency or elective course, Elective course
  • Third Year:
    • Fall: CS:1110 Introduction to Computer Science or STAT:3510 Biostatistics or STAT:2010 Statistical Methods and Computing, SEES:3070 Marine Ecosystems and Conservation or SEES:2374 Biogeography or SEES:2950 Environmental Conservation, SEES:3220 Evolution of the Vertebrates or BIOL:2246 Entomology Lab or BIOL:1261 Introduction to Botany, GE CLAS Core: Historical Perspectives, GE CLAS Core: World Languages Third Level Proficiency or elective course
    • Spring: SEES:2050 Foundations of GIS, SEES:2310 Introduction to Climatology or SEES:3320 Earth's Climate System, SEES:2673 Ecology, GE CLAS Core: Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts, GE CLAS Core: World Languages Fourth Level Proficiency or elective course
  • Fourth Year:
    • Fall: SEES:3315 Ecosystem Ecology, Major: environmental bioscience track elective course (numbered 3000 or above), Major: environmental bioscience track elective course (numbered 3000 or above), GE CLAS Core: Values and Society, Elective course
    • Spring: Major: environmental bioscience track elective course (numbered 3000 or above), Major: environmental bioscience track elective course (numbered 3000 or above), Major: environmental bioscience track elective course, Elective course, Elective course, Degree Application: apply on MyUI before deadline (typically in February for spring, September for fall)

Environmental Geoscience Track

Plan of Study Grid (Manual) Academic Career


  • First Year:
    • Fall: SEES:1070 Contemporary Environmental Issues, SEES:1085 Fundamentals of Environmental Science, MATH:1850 Calculus I, ENGL:1200 The Interpretation of Literature or RHET:1030 Rhetoric: Writing and Communication, CSI:1600 Success at Iowa
    • Spring: SEES:1050 Introduction to Geology, MATH:1860 Calculus II, RHET:1030 Rhetoric: Writing and Communication or ENGL:1200 The Interpretation of Literature, GE CLAS Core: Understanding Cultural Perspectives, Elective course
  • Second Year:
    • Fall: CHEM:1110 Principles of Chemistry I, SEES:2010 Interdisciplinary Environmental Seminar, SEES:3020 Earth Surface Processes, GE CLAS Core: Social Sciences, GE CLAS Core: World Languages First Level Proficiency or elective course
    • Spring: CHEM:1120 Principles of Chemistry II, SEES:3320 Earth's Climate System or SEES:2310 Introduction to Climatology, SEES:2673 Ecology, GE CLAS Core: World Languages Second Level Proficiency or elective course, Elective course
  • Third Year:
    • Fall: PHYS:1511 College Physics I or PHYS:1611 Introductory Physics I, SEES:2050 Foundations of GIS, SEES:3330 Sedimentary Geology, GE CLAS Core: World Languages Third Level Proficiency or elective course
    • Spring: PHYS:1512 College Physics II or PHYS:1612 Introductory Physics II, SEES:3360 Soil Genesis and Geomorphology, Major: environmental geoscience track elective course, GE CLAS Core: Historical Perspectives, GE CLAS Core: World Languages Fourth Level Proficiency or elective course
  • Fourth Year:
    • Fall: SEES:4630 Hydrogeology, SEES:4790 Applied Environmental Geology, Major: environmental geoscience track elective course (numbered 3000 or above), GE CLAS Core: Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts, Elective course
    • Spring: STAT:2010 Statistical Methods and Computing or STAT:3510 Biostatistics or CS:1110 Introduction to Computer Science, Major: environmental geoscience track elective course (numbered 3000 or above), Major: environmental geoscience track elective course (numbered 3000 or above), GE CLAS Core: Values and Society, Elective course, Degree Application: apply on MyUI before deadline (typically in February for spring, September for fall)
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