Minor in Earth & Environmental Sciences

NOTE: In academic year 2020–2021, the Department of Earth & Environment will recode all courses from ES and GE to EE, as recommended by the external committee as part of the Provost’s Academic Program Review in Spring 2018.

The minor in Earth & Environmental Sciences provides students with a framework for understanding the Earth’s natural science systems and the environmental forces that shape human populations and society. Students will gain knowledge of fundamental concepts in the physical, life, and interdisciplinary natural sciences that inform society about the environment in which we live. Graduates might combine the minor with a wide range of majors in the natural sciences (biology, chemistry, marine science), social sciences (anthropology, archaeology, economics, history, international relations), humanities (English, foreign languages and literatures), and engineering; many other combinations are possible. A minor in Earth & Environmental Sciences also helps prepare students for graduate study in one of the following fields: earth sciences, biogeosciences, ocean sciences, or earth observations. Graduation with the minor equips students with excellent background for entry-level professional employment in areas such as environmental consulting, ecosystem management, private and nongovernmental science agencies, science journalism, and environmental law.

Learning Outcomes

  • Demonstrate knowledge of fundamental concepts and specific topics in environmental science, Earth and climate science, and Earth observations that inform the study of planet Earth.
  • Understand the application, and limits, of problem-solving tools from the Earth and environmental sciences to represent, organize, and assess information.
  • Identify and quantitatively analyze data in order to critically evaluate scientific arguments related to the study of Earth and environmental systems.
  • Communicate effectively, both in writing and verbally, using languages from environmental science, Earth and climate science, and Earth observations to express ideas and their importance.
  • Solve complex problems in Earth and environmental sciences that require the application of scientific concepts and laboratory techniques from a combination of Earth and climate science, environmental science, and Earth observation.

Requirements

The minor in Earth & Environmental Sciences requires five courses, as specified below. All required courses are 4 credit hours and must be completed with a grade of C or higher.

Required Courses

Foundational Courses (3)
  • CAS EE 100 Environmental Change and Sustainability
  • CAS EE 107 Introduction to Climate and Earth System Science
  • CAS EE 270 Data, Models, and Analysis in Earth & Environment

EE 100 and EE 107 may be taken in either order; both must be taken before EE 270. Students who have previously completed CAS MA 213 (Introduction to Statistics & Probability) may substitute that course for EE 270.

Electives (2)

Two additional courses selected from electives listed within one of the following groups:

  • Ecosystems
  • Earth & Climate
  • Earth Observations

At least one of these electives must be at the 400 level or above.

For a full list of electives, please see the BA in Earth & Environmental Sciences.