Earth and Oceanographic Science

The major consists of ten (10) courses. Majors may begin their study with any one of the introductory Earth and Oceanographic Science courses: EOS 101, 102, 103 or 104. Majors are required to take EOS 200, and ONE of the following: [Biology 102 or 109; OR Chemistry 109; OR Physics 104; OR Math 181]. To establish breadth within the major, students must take one core course from each of the following three areas:

• Solid Earth (EOS 241, 242, 262 or 265),
• Earth Surface Processes (EOS 220 or 270), and
• Oceans (EOS 250, 267 or 282).

In addition, majors are required to take at least one research-experience course (EOS 314 or 315), and one senior seminar (EOS 302 or 343). The remaining elective courses may be selected from EOS courses at the 200 or 300 level. One of these electives may include Biology 219, 225, 271, 274; Chemistry 205, 305, 350; Computer Science 350; Environmental Studies 204; Physics 251, 262, 257, 357; or an approved off-campus study or summer field course.


Please note that (a) only one of EOS 101, 102, 103 or 104 may be counted toward the major requirements; (b) students may opt to begin the major with EOS 200 having previously taken Biology 102 or 109, or Chemistry 109. Such students may substitute a 200-level EOS course or research-experience course (EOS 314 or 315) for EOS 101, 102, 103 or 104; (c) only one of EOS 302 or 343 may be counted toward the major requirements (d) independent studies do not count toward the major requirements; and (e) all courses counted toward the major need to be completed with a C- or better.

 
Students planning post-graduate 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.

Honors Schedule and Guidelines

Department of Earth and Oceanographic Science Major Advising Form

This PDF checksheet is intended to be informational only. Students must consult with an academic advisor prior to registration

Requirements for the Minor in Earth and Oceanographic Science

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

Anticipated Departmental Course Offerings for the Next Two Years

Fall 2012
020 Living Downstream
101 Investigating Earth
105 Oceanography of the Gulf of Maine
200 Biogeochemestry
211 Volcanoes
241 Field Studies Structural Geology
282 Ocean and Climate
352 Biodiversity in the Open Ocean

Spring 2013
102 Oceanography
104 Environmental Geology and Hydrology
205 Earth, Ocean and Society
252 Marine Biogeochemistry
255 Numerical Modeling of Ocean Ecosystems
262 Mountains to Trenches:  Petrology and Process
277 A World of Rivers
302 Earth Climate History
315 Research in Mineral Science

Earth and Oceanographic Science courses cross-listed with Environmental Studies

EOS/ES 102 Introduction to Oceanography
EOS/ES 103 Marine Environmental Geology
EOS/ES 104 Environmental Geology and Hydrology
EOS/ES 200 Biogeochemistry
EOS/ES 205 Earth, Oceans & Society
EOS/ES 267 Coastal Oceanography
EOS/ES 270 Landscapes and Global Change
EOS/ES 282 Oceans and Climate
EOS/ES 287 Poles Apart
EOS/ES/BIO 302 Earth Climate History and Its Impacts on Ecosystems and Human Civilizations   
EOS/ES 314 Maine Watersheds: Crest to Coast
EOS/ES 343 Tectonics and Climate
EOS/ES/PHYSICS 357 The Physics of Climate