The Bachelor of Arts in Earth Science is offered for students who are interested in developing Earth science careers in K-12 science education, resource management, law, policy making/politics, journalism, and sustainable business. It will provide a well-balanced and flexible academic background that allows them to examine critically the growing number of Earth science related problems.
Of the 120 units required for graduation, a minimum of 32 are Earth science courses in Geology and Geography, 24 are in related fields, 3 are in Upper Division Writing, and 39 are in non-science and non-math general education courses. The remaining 22 undesignated units are selected to meet the particular needs of each student. To qualify for the B.A. in Earth science degree, students must have a "C" (2.0) or better in all Earth science courses applied toward the 32-unit requirement; in addition, students must have a 2.0 average in required related fields courses.
The Department of Geological Sciences and the Department of Geography offer many electives that may be applied to the Earth science B.A., assuming prerequisites are met. These electives allow enough flexibility to allow students to pursue career objectives and should be selected in consultation with the Department of Geological Science Academic Adviser. The following Geological Science courses are eligible as Earth science electives: GEOL303A, 303B, 305, 310T*, 321, 322, 355, 360, 376, 404, 406, 408, 410, 420, 436, 455, 456, 470, 475, 481A, 481B, 481C, 493, 495, 496L, 498, 499L. No more than 3 units from any combination of Geological Sciences 493, 495, 496L, 498, and 499L can be counted toward meeting this 15- unit requirement. GEOL102 (if GEOL101 is taken in core) and/or GEOL140 may be taken if student is in teaching pathway. No more than 6 units of GEOL310T may be taken.
The following Geography courses are eligible as Earth science electives: GEOG312, 323, 325, 328*, 329*, 350*, 422, 425, 426, 450, 452*, 481, 482, 485, 486, 488.
Additional courses may be approved by the Department of Geological Sciences Undergraduate Adviser. Student can take no more than 6 units of asterisked (*) courses from the list above. At least 6 of the total units from the Earth science Electives category must be from the Geological Science list.
Graduates with a B.A. in Earth science will address a variety of Earth science- and general science- related problems through all sectors of the professional population. The flexible organization of the related field requirements enables students and their advisers to select a package of courses that best supports the student in their educational and professional endeavours. Courses not included on the list must be approved in writing by an undergraduate adviser. Students must take at least one class from each of the related field subjects and at least one of these courses must have an associated lab.
* course currently going through College and University approval process
** courses recommended for elementary school teaching pathway and must be approved by Department
Undergraduate Adviser. Students not in an elementary school teacher path cannot receive credit for BIOL102, Phys 102, or Chem 102. Physics 102 and Chemistry 102 are the same course, thus student can get credit for only one of these.
These are to be taken with adviser approval depending on the student's track (e.g., science education or environmental/ policy/resource). They can include, but are not limited to, the following.
Additional courses may be approved by the Department of Geological Sciences Undergraduate Adviser.
* courses recommended for elementary school teaching pathway
One of the goals of this degree is to provide maximum flexibility for students who want to pursue Earth science- related fields. The collection of electives courses is designed to allow flexibility in student's chosen field. For example, a student interested in secondary education teaching would take a series of secondary education courses and related fields courses that best train them to pass the required state science exams. A student interested in environmental policy or resource management would take a set of courses in biology, geography, physics, and/or chemistry that best fits the student's objectives. These undesignated electives must be adviser approved during the normal advising periods each year.
At least 12 General Education units are embedded in the Related Fields requirements for the Earth Science B.A. The remaining 39 non-science and non-math GE units are selected by the student to meet degree requirements. Consult your Department of Geological Sciences adviser for proper course selection.
Each student meets regularly with the undergraduate advisor to formulate his or her study plan and choose appropriate elective courses.
For more information about our program in Earth science, please contact our undergraduate advisor, Dr. Nicole Bonuso (nbonuso@fullerton.edu), at (657) 278-3882. You are also welcome to visit our department in Room 254, McCarthy Hall, or write to:
Undergraduate Advisor
Department of Geological Sciences
California State University, Fullerton
Fullerton, CA 92834-6850.