Undergraduate Concentrations
AB and ScB Requirements
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Our four AB and ScB concentration programs stress critical thinking and development of the analytical and communication skills that are so important for personal and career development. Photo: Alice Alpert '09 presents her Sr. Thesis research |
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Research opportunities encompass a broad spectrum of basic and applied investigations, linked with environmental sciences, engineering, materials science, archaeology, space science, astronomy, economics, international relations, or meteorology. |
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Our department is known on campus as being open and friendly. With 20 faculty, 40-50 undergraduate concentrators (>50% women), and 45-50 graduate students, classes are comfortably small, and faculty, graduates and undergraduates interact frequently. |
Geological Sciences Concentration Requirements
Standard program for the A.B. degree in Geological Science:
This program provides a broad introduction to the geological sciences. Recommended for students seeking a liberal education and a general understanding of Earth processes and Earth history. Especially attractive for double concentrations, such as geology and economics as a career path to law or business, or geology and English as a career path to journalism or technical writing.
1. Four basic supporting science courses:
a. CHEM 0330 (or advanced placement).
b. Three of the following: mathematics: MATH 0090, 0100 or more advanced; physics: PHYS 0050, 0060 or more advanced; engineering: ENGR 0030, 0040 or more advanced; and biology: BIOL 0200 or more advanced.
2. Nine concentration courses:
a. GEOL 0220, 0230, 0240.
b. Two of GEOL 1410, 1420, 1450.
c. Two of GEOL 0310, 1110, 1240, 1330 (or 1710), 1580, or a field course.
d. Two additional courses from upper level geological sciences, mathematics, or supporting sciences with approval from the departmental concentration advisor.
Standard program for the Sc.B. degree in Geological Sciences:
This program is recommended for students interested in graduate study and careers in the geosciences and related fields.
1. Five basic supporting science courses:
a. Two courses in mathematics at the level of MATH 0090, 0100 or more advanced.
b. CHEM 0330 (or advanced placement).
c. PHYS 0050, 0060, ENGR 0030, 0040, or more advanced. (Advanced placement may be substituted for the first semester of physics.)
2. Fourteen (14) concentration courses:
a. GEOL 0220, 0230, 0240, 0310, 1240, 1410, 1420, 1450, and a field course.
b. Four courses from upper level geological sciences, mathematics, or supporting sciences with approval from the departmental concentration advisor.
c. GEOL 1970 (Senior Research Thesis).
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Geology/Biology Concentration Requirements
Standard program for the A.B. degree in Geo/bio:
This program emphasizes interrelations between biological and geological processes including an understanding of the origin and development of life as interpreted from the geologic record, evolution of climate and environments, and dynamic processes in the stratigraphic record. Prepares students for work in environmental issues, geology, ecology, oceanography, or global change.
Four basic supporting science courses:
a. BIOL 0200 or more advanced.
b. CHEM 0330 (or advanced placement).
c. Two courses in mathematics and/or physics and/or engineering at the level of MATH 0090, 0100, PHYS 0050, 0060, ENGR 0030, 0040, or more advanced.
Ten (10) concentration courses:
a. GEOL 0220, 0230, 0240, 0310, 1240.
b. Three biology courses such as (but not limited to) BIOL 0410, 0420, 0430, 0470, 0480, 1420, 1430, 1880 and ENVS 1450.
c. Two upper level geological sciences courses such as (but not limited to) GEOL 1100, 1110, 1120, 1130, 1330, 1350, 1370 and 1380.
Standard program for the Sc.B. Degree in Geo/bio:
This program is recommended for students interested in graduate study and careers in geobiology and related fields.
Five basic supporting science courses:
a. BIOL 0200 or more advanced.
b. CHEM 0330 (or advanced placement)
c. PHYS 0050 or ENGR 0030, or more advanced.
d. Two courses in mathematics at the level of MATH 0090, 0100 or more advanced.
Fourteen (14) concentration courses:
a. GEOL 0220, 0230, 0240, 0310, 1240.
b. Three biology courses such as (but not limited to) BIOL 0410, 0420, 0430, 0470, 0480, 1420, 1430, 1880, and ENVS 1450.
c. Two upper level geological sciences courses such as (but not limited to) GEOL 1100, 1110, 1120, 1130, 1330, 1350, 1370 and 1380.
d. Three additional courses from upper level geological sciences, upper level mathematics, or supporting sciences with approval from the departmental concentration advisor.
e. GEOL 1970 (Senior Research Thesis).
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Geo/Chemistry Concentration Requirements
Standard program for the A.B. degree in Geo/chem:
This program emphasizes geochemical processes and phenomena on and within the Earth. Recommended for students seeking a liberal education and interested in applying physical and chemical principles toward an understanding of Earth history, Earth processes, and environmental and resource issues.
Four basic supporting science courses:
a. Two courses in mathematics at the level of MATH 0090, 0100 or more advanced.
b. CHEM 0330.
c. PHYS 0050 or ENGR 0030, or more advanced (or advanced placement).
Nine (9) concentration courses:
a. GEOL 0220, 0230, 0240
b. Three additional chemistry courses.
c. Two geology courses: either GEOL 1410 and GEOL 1420, or GEOL 1130 and 1370.
d. One additional course from upper level geological sciences, mathematics, or supporting sciences with approval from the departmental concentration advisor.
Standard program for the Sc.B. degree in geo/chem:
This program is recommended for students interested in graduate study and careers in geochemistry and related fields.
Five basic supporting science courses:
a. Two courses in mathematics at the level of MATH 0090, 0100 or more advanced.
b. CHEM 0330.
c. PHYS 0050, 0060, or ENGR 0030, 0040, or more advanced. (Advanced placement may be substituted for the first semester of physics.)
Fifteen (15) concentration courses:
The geochemistry/inorganic option:
a. GEOL 0220, 0230, 0240, 1130 or 1370, 1410, 1420, plus one from GEOL 1240, 1330 (or 1710), 1450.
b. Three from CHEM 0350, 0500, 1060, 1140, 1150.
c. Four additional courses from upper level geological sciences, mathematics, or supporting sciences with approval from the departmental concentration advisor.
d. GEOL 1970 (Senior Research Thesis).
The geochemistry/organic option:
a. GEOL 0220, 0230, 0240, 1130, 1370, 1410, plus one from 1240, 1330 (or 1710), 1380.
b. CHEM 0350, 0360, plus one additional chemistry course.
c. Four additional courses from upper level geological sciences, mathematics, or supporting sciences with approval from the departmental concentration advisor.
d. GEOL 1970 (Senior Research Thesis).
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Geo/Physics/Math Concentration Requirements
Standard program for the A.B. degree in Geo/Physics/math:
This program emphasizes physical processes and phenomena on and within Earth. It is well-suited for students interested in applying physical and mathematical principles toward an understanding of Earth and the environment.
Three basic supporting science courses:
a. PHYS 0050, 0060; or PHYS 0070, 0160; or ENGN 0030, 0040.
b. CHEM 0030 (or advanced placement).
Eleven (11) concentration courses:
a. GEOL 0220, 0230, 0250, 1610
b. Two from GEOL 1410, 1450, 1620 (courses related to solid Earth dynamics); or two from GEOL 1330, 1350, 1580 (courses related to climate and the environment).
c. Three courses in mathematics, including APMA 0330.
d. PHYS 0470; or ENGN 0510
e. One upper-level geological sciences, mathematics or physics course with approval from the departmental concentration advisor.
Standard program for the Sc.B. degree in Geo/Physics/Math:
This program is recommended for students interested in graduate study and careers in geophysics and related fields.
Three basic supporting science courses:
a. PHYS 0050, 0060; or PHYS 0070, 0160; or ENGN 0030, 0040.
b. CHEM 0330 (or advanced placement).
Seventeen (17) concentration courses:
a. GEOL 0220, 0230, 0250, 1450, 1610, 1620, plus two from this list: GEOL 1410, 1420, 1560, 1650, 1810 (courses related to solid Earth dynamics); Geol 0240, 1330, 1350, 1580 (courses related to climate and the environment); a field course.
b. PHYS 0470, 0500; or ENGN 0510, 1370.
c. Four courses in mathematics, including APMA 0330, 0340.
d. Two additional courses from upper level geological sciences, mathematics, or supporting sciences with approval from the departmental concentration advisor.
e. GEOL 1970 (Senior Research Thesis).
- Page updated April 11, 2011 -