Apr 26, 2024  
2016-2017 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2016-2017 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Earth Science, B.A.


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The B.A. in Earth science degree is designed to integrate all the Earth sciences in a systems approach to understanding the Earth. This includes incorporating and integrating subjects such as oceanography, meteorology and astronomy. The emphasis is on the preparation of individuals to work in a wide range of professional public sector service careers where preparation in Earth science and communication of science to non-scientific audiences is a requirement or an asset.

Degree and Major Requirements

There are two bachelor degrees offered in the Department of Geology and Environmental Science, a B.S. in geology and a B.A. in Earth science. Both degree options have a research requirement that includes a formal presentation. The B.S. degree has two concentrations: a general geology concentration designed for students who want to take a wider range of geology elective courses and an environmental and engineering geology concentration designed for students who want to focus their geology electives toward applied environmental science.

The B.A. in Earth science prepares individuals to work in a wide range of professional public sector service careers where preparation in Earth science and communication of science to nonscientific audiences is a requirement or an asset. This includes the preparation of Earth science teachers.

Degree Requirements


Required Courses


  • General Education  41 Credit Hours 1
  • Foreign Language classes (intermediate level required) 0-14 Credit Hours 2
  • Philosophy course(s) (in addition to General Education  courses) 3 Credit Hours 3
  • Major requirements (listed below including cognate sciences and math) 59-63 Credit Hours
  • General Electives 0-17 Credit Hours

Footnotes


1 The General Education  program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. The number of credit hours necessary to fulfill these requirements may vary.
2 The foreign language requirement may be satisfied by successful completion of the second semester of the intermediate level of the student’s chosen language (typically 232), or by placing out of that language through the Department of Foreign Languages, Literatures and Cultures’ placement exam.
3 100, 200, 300 or 400-level course acceptable or consult the list of courses satisfying B.A. degree requirements at http://www/jmu.edu/registrar.

Total: 120 Credit Hours


Major Requirements


B.A. degree students are expected to complete CHEM 131 -CHEM 131L  before enrolling in geology courses numbered 300 and higher.

Core Requirements


Choose one of the following: 3 Credit Hours


Research Requirements: 2-6 Credit Hours


In addition to GEOL 291 , choose from the following to complete the research requirement. All majors must complete a minimum of two credits. Students conducting research with faculty should select GEOL 497 ; Honors students doing research with faculty must complete a minimum of six credits in GEOL 499 . All students must give a formal presentation to fulfill this requirement.

Total: 37-41 Credit Hours


Cognate Science and Mathematics Area


The B.A. degree option requires that each student complete at least 16 hours of cognate science credit hours with at least one course from biology, physics and chemistry chosen from:

Math: 3-4 Credit Hours


The B.A. option requires that each student complete at least six credit hours of mathematics, including one of the following:

Total: 20-22 Credit Hours


Recommended Minors for the Bachelor of Arts in Earth Science


The B.A. Earth science degree recommends (but does not require) that students complete a minor in a complementary program, suitable toward the career goals of the student. Credit hours for courses in the minor that are already required courses for the B.A. in Earth Science major have been subtracted from the total hours listed here. Students may also propose a minor that is not listed above to their adviser for approval. Approved minors include:

Minor


Recommended Schedule for B.A. Degree in Earth Science


Total: 27-30 Credit Hours


Footnote


1 Foreign language at the intermediate level.

Total: 27-34 Credit Hours


Third Year


Choose one of the following: 3 Credit Hours


Total: 25-28 Credit Hours


Fourth Year


Total: 24-39 Credit Hours


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