The Earth Sciences program offers students the opportunity to develop a broad understanding of the earth as a dynamic, interacting system of land, sea, atmosphere, and solar system. The student, in consultation with a faculty adviser, will select one of the three concentrations, usually after completion of 9 GES credit hours. The concentrations, leading in potentially different career directions, are Earth Science, Environmental Earth Sciences, and Geology. Earth Sciences majors may not minor in Astronomy.
Coursework in chemistry, calculus, and physics is expected, particularly for students intent upon careers in the geosciences, or contemplating graduate study. The recommended courses are
CHE 111 FUNDAMENTALS OF CHEMISTRY I 4
CHE 112 FUNDAMENTALS OF CHEMISTRY II 3
MAT 126 APPLIED CALCULUS I 4
MAT 127 APPLIED CALCULUS II 4
PHY 111 UNIVERSITY PHYSICS I 5
PHY 112 UNIVERSITY PHYSICS II 5
and upper-division courses in chemistry, mathematics, and physics. Each student should choose the appropriate courses by advisement, beginning with entry into the major.
Student majors are given many opportunities to pursue independent research under faculty supervision or an internship experience. Students may find additional information about undergraduate research possibilities from faculty members, and by visiting the Undergraduate Research Office.
A departmental honors program also is available. Students should contact the department for additional information.
NOTE: Students seeking New York State Teacher Certification are advised to review the M.S.Ed. in Science Education degree program in the graduate catalog; this program requires completion of an undergraduate degree in a core science prior to admission. The program is designed to enable students to quickly and efficiently develop the knowledge and skills required for teaching and leads to initial NYS certification for those candidates meeting the program admission requirements. Contact the department for advisement on the quick admission and 4+1 pathways available for Buffalo State students.
Intellectual Foundations Requirements
33-39 credit hours 33-39
Earth Science Major Requirements (41-43 credit hours)
Required Courses (25 credit hours)
GES 101 INTRODUCTORY GEOLOGY 3
GES 102 HISTORICAL GEOLOGY 3
GES 103 INTRODUCTORY GEOLOGY LABORATORY 1
GES 111 OCEANOGRAPHY 3
GES 131 INTRODUCTORY ASTRONOMY 3
GES 303 MINERALOGY AND PETROLOGY 4
GES 307 GEOMORPHOLOGY 4
GES 408 STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY 4
Concentrations (16-18 credit hours)
Select a Concentration from the following: 16-18
Environmental Earth Sciences Concentration
Earth Science Concentration
Geology Concentration
All College Electives
20-30 credit hours 20-30
Total Credit Hours 120
Environmental Earth Sciences
GES 300 SEDIMENTOLOGY
& GES 301 and STRATIGRAPHY (4)
or GES 306 SEDIMENTOLOGY AND STRATIGRAPHY
GES 452 HYDROGEOLOGY
GES 460 ENVIRONMENTAL FIELD METHODS AND ANALYSIS
Select two from the following:
GES 350 ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY
GEG 365 SOIL SCIENCE AND MANAGEMENT
GES 444 GLOBAL SYSTEMS GEOMORPHOLOGY
GES 450 FIELD GEOLOGY
Students should consider completing the Environmental Science minor program. Completion of CHE 111 and CHE 112 are advised.
Earth Science Concentration
GES 241 METEOROLOGY
GES 302 INVERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY (4)
GES 405 GEOLOGY OF NORTH AMERICA
One Astronomy elective
One upper-division GES elective
Geology Concentration
GES 300 SEDIMENTOLOGY
& GES 301 and STRATIGRAPHY (4)
or GES 306 SEDIMENTOLOGY AND STRATIGRAPHY
GES 302 INVERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY (4)
GES 450 FIELD GEOLOGY
GES 403 GLACIAL GEOLOGY
or GES 405 GEOLOGY OF NORTH AMERICA
Students contemplating graduate study are advised that CHE 111, CHE 112, MAT 126, MAT 127, PHY 111, and PHY 112 are essential to a modern geology (or related) program. These sequences should begin before the graduate school decision is made; failure to take them limits students' future options.
