MAJOR FINDER



Filter by College


Filter by Program Types


Filter by Subject

Earth Sciences

Earth sciences majors in the field

Discover our world!

By studying the earth sciences, you will study the planet, the processes that change our landscapes, the history of life and the interactions between environment and society. You will gain the practical and in-demand skills to collect scientific data, inform policy decisions and study the environmental impacts of things like fracking, oil and natural gas extraction, renewable resources, climate change, and more. Earth science graduates are in high demand with starting salaries ranging from $50,000 to $100,000 annually.听

AREAS OF ST91原创Y

  • Earth History and Paleontology
  • Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology
  • Coastal, River, and Glacial Processes
  • Earth Materials and Geochemistry
  • Plate Tectonics
  • Climate Change

CAREER OPTIONS

  • Geoscientist
  • Hydrogeologist
  • Environmental Consultant
  • Exploration Geologist
  • Science Educator
  • Paleontologist
  • Disaster Scientist

GRADUATE PROGRAMS

  • Geoscience
  • Oceanography
  • Geophysics
  • Environmental Science
  • Soil Science
  • Science Education
  • Environmental Law

What鈥檚 special about this program?

Earth science students will learn about the Earth in small classes, in labs, and numerous field trips, with faculty interaction and a well-developed sense of community. You are encouraged to participate in research with faculty in areas such as hydrogeology, geobiology, water science, geochemistry, and paleoclimate. You will also have many opportunities for field courses in places of geologic significance. Recent trips have been to Death Valley and the Grand Canyon! You may also be able to benefit from the Delaware Geological Survey, a science-based state agency based at 91原创 that conducts geologic and hydrologic research, service and exploration.

Get Involved

There are many opportunities on campus for students interested in the environment, such as serving as an EnvironMentor, going on extracurricular environmental field trips, and joining registered student organizations like Students for the Environment and the Geology Club.

Sample curriculum

Courses are recommendations, but subject to change year-to year. Please refer to the 听for a more accurate four year plan. Students should also reach out to their academic advisor for recommendations.听

Earth Sciences (BA)

FALL

SPRING

ENGL 110 - First-Year Writing听

CHEM 103 - General Chemistry听and听CHEM 133 - General Chemistry Laboratory听听

GEOL 107 - Geology of Dynamic Earth听

GEOL 110 - Earth鈥檚 Evolving Systems听

Mathematics Requirement*

Foreign Language Requirement (1/2)

Breadth Requirement (1/9)

Breadth Requirement (2/9)

First Year Seminar

Credits: 14-15

Credits: 15

*See program page for approved courses

FALL

SPRING

BISC 207 - Introductory Biology I听

GEOL 203 - Earth Surface Processes听

GEOL 202 - Introduction to Earth Materials听

GEOL 302 - Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology听

Foreign Language Requirement (2/2)

Breadth Requirement (4/9) (should satisfy Multicultural Requirement)

Breadth Requirement (3/9)

Breadth Requirement (5/9)

Spring Break Field Course*

Credits: 15

Credits: 15

*See program page for approved courses

FALL

SPRING

GEOL 304 - Sedimentology and Stratigraphy听

GEOL 305 - Structural Geology and Plate Tectonics听

PHYS 201 - Introductory Physics I听and听PHYS 221 - Introductory Physics Laboratory I听

GEOL 306 - Geoscience Field Methods听(Capstone and DLE)

Breadth Requirement (6/9)

Breadth Requirement (9/9)

Breadth Requirement (7/9)

Free Elective (1/10)

Breadth Requirement (8/9)

Free Elective (2/10)

Credits: 17

Credits: 17

*See program page for approved courses

FALL

SPRING

Second Semester Science*

GEOL 307 - The Earth鈥檚 History I: Paleobiology听 or 400-level Elective (GEOL 401听recommended (satisfies Second Writing Requirement)

Free Elective (3/10)

Free Elective (7/10)

Free Elective (4/10)

Free Elective (8/10)

Free Elective (5/10)

Free Elective (9/10)

Free Elective (6/10)

Free Elective (10/10)

Credits: 16

Credits: 15

*See program page for approved courses

Earth Sciences (BS)

FALL

SPRING

CHEM 103 - General Chemistry听and听CHEM 133 - General Chemistry Laboratory听听

ENGL 110 - First-Year Writing听

GEOL 107 - Geology of Dynamic Earth听

GEOL 110 - Earth鈥檚 Evolving Systems听

MATH 117 - Pre-Calculus for Scientists and Engineers听(if placed)

MATH 241 - Analytic Geometry and Calculus A听

Breadth Requirement (1/6)

PHYS 201 - Introductory Physics I听and听PHYS 221 - Introductory Physics Laboratory I听

First Year Seminar

Credits: 16

Credits: 15

*See program page for approved courses

FALL

SPRING

BISC 207 - Introductory Biology I听

GEOL 203 - Earth Surface Processes听

GEOL 202 - Introduction to Earth Materials听

GEOL 302 - Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology听

MATH 242 - Analytic Geometry and Calculus B听

Breadth Requirement (3/6) (should satisfy Multicultural Requirement)

Breadth Requirement (2/6)

Foreign Language Requirement (1/2)

Spring Break Field Course*

Credits: 15

Credits: 16

*See program page for approved courses

FALL

SPRING

GEOL 304 - Sedimentology and Stratigraphy听

GEOL 305 - Structural Geology and Plate Tectonics听

GEOL 400-level Elective (1/4)

GEOL 306 - Geoscience Field Methods听(Capstone and DLE)

Second Semester Science*

GEOL 400-level Elective (2/4)

Foreign Language Requirement (1/2)

Quantitative Course (1/2)*

Free Elective (1/6)

Breadth Requirement (4/6)

Credits: 15

Credits: 17

*See program page for approved courses

FALL

SPRING

GEOL 400-level Elective (3/4)

GEOL 400-level Elective (GEOL 401听recommended (satisfies Second Writing Requirement)) (4/4)

Quantitative Course (2/2)*

Breadth Requirement (6/6)

Breadth Requirement (5/6)

Free Elective (4/6)

Free Elective (2/6)

Free Elective (5/6)

Free Elective (3/6)

Free Elective (6/6)

Credits: 15

Credits: 15

*See program page for approved courses

Go Global at 91原创

This major is eligible for the following programs:

Youdee

Ready to become a Blue Hen?听

Visit Campus

See how recent graduates are succeeding