The College Catalogue

• Collin S. Roesler, Department Chair
• Marjorie L. Parker, Department Coordinator

• Professor: Rachel J. Beane
• Associate Professors: Philip Camill† (Environmental Studies), Edward P. Laine†, Peter D. Lea†, Collin S. Roesler
• Assistant Professor: Emily M. Peterman
• Visiting Faculty: Gabrielle C. L. David, Michèle LaVigne, Nicholas Record
• Laboratory Instructors: Cathryn Field, Joanne Urquhart
• Requirements for the Major in Earth and Oceanographic Science (EOS)

The major consists of ten courses. Majors may begin their study with any one of the introductory earth and oceanographic science courses: EOS 101, 102 (same as Environmental Studies 102), EOS 103 (same as Environmental Studies 103), or 104 (same as Environmental Studies 104). Majors are required to take EOS 200 (same as Environmental Studies 200), and any one of the following: Biology 102 or 109, or Chemistry 102 or 109, or Mathematics 181, or Physics 104. To establish breadth within the major, students must take one core course from each of the following three areas:

1. Solid Earth (EOS 241, 242, 262, or 265)
2. Earth Surface Processes (EOS 220 or 270 [same as Environmental Studies 270])
3. Oceans (EOS 250, 255, 267 [same as Environmental Studies 267], or 282 [same as Environmental Studies 282])

In addition, majors are required to take at least one research-experience course (EOS 315 or 367), and one senior seminar (EOS 302 [same as Environmental Studies 302] or 352 [same as Environmental Studies 352]). The remaining elective courses may be selected from earth and oceanographic science courses at the 200 or 300 level. One of these electives may include Biology 219 (same as Environmental Studies 219), 225 (same as Environmental Studies 225), 274 (same as Environmental Studies 274); Chemistry 305 (same as Environmental Studies 305), 350 (same as Environmental Studies 350); Computer Science 350; Environmental Studies 204; Physics 251, 262, 257 (same as EOS 257 and Environmental Studies 253), 357 (same as EOS 357 and Environmental Studies 357); or an approved off-campus study or summer field course.

Note that (a) only one of EOS 101, 102 (same as Environmental Studies 102), 103 (same as Environmental Studies 103), 104 (same as Environmental Studies 104), or 105 (same as Environmental Studies 105) may be counted toward the major requirements; (b) students may opt to begin the major with EOS 200 (same as Environmental Studies 200) having previously taken Biology 102 or 109, or Chemistry 102 or 109. Such students may substitute a 200-level earth and oceanographic science course or research-experience course (EOS 315 or 367) for EOS 101, 102 (same as Environmental Studies 102), or 104 (same as Environmental Studies 104); (c) independent studies do not count toward the major requirements; and (d) all courses counted toward the major must be completed with a C- or better.

Students planning postgraduate study in earth and oceanographic science should note that they might present a stronger application if they take additional courses in the department and in the contributing sciences: biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, and physics. It is strongly advised that students consult with faculty on the design of their major and discuss the options of research projects through independent studies, fellowship-funded summer research, and honors projects.

Interdisciplinary Majors

The department does not explicitly participate in formal interdisciplinary programs. However, the departments of Earth and Oceanographic Science and Physics have identified major and minor pathways for students interested in majoring in earth and oceanographic science with an interest in physics (EOS major/physics minor) and students interested in majoring in physics with an earth and oceanographic science application (physics major/EOS minor). Students interested in an EOS major/physics minor with an interest in the solid earth discipline would be best served by selecting their optional physics courses from Physics 223, 229, 240, 251, 262, 300, 301, 302; those with an interest in the surface earth discipline should choose from Physics 223, 235, 240, 257, 301, 302, 357; those with interests in the oceanography discipline should choose from Physics 223, 229, 240, 250, 257, 300, 301, 302, 320, 357, 370.

Requirements for the Minor in Earth and Oceanographic Science (EOS)

The minor consists of four courses in the department. Minors are required to take EOS 200 (same as Environmental Studies 200). No more than one introductory course (EOS 101, 102 [same as Environmental Studies 102], 103 [same as Environmental Studies 103], 104 [same as Environmental Studies 104], or 105 [same as Environmental Studies 105]) may be included. All courses counted toward the minor must be completed with a C- or better.