Earth and Oceanographic Science

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),  104 (same as Environmental Studies 104) or 105 (same as Environmental Studies 105. 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 Computer Science 101, or Mathematics 155, 165, 181 or 204, 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, 270 [same as Environmental Studies 270], 272, or 277)
3. Oceans (EOS 250, 252, 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 351), 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 EOS 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 351) 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.

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

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

Fall 2013
101 Investigating Earth
200 Biogeochemistry
211 Volcanoes
220 Sedimentary Systems
241 Field Studies in Structural Geology
287 Poles Apart: An Exploration of Earth's High Latitudes
351 Research in Oceanography - Topics in Paleoceanography

Spring 2014
102 Oceanography
104 Environmental Geology and Hydrology
205 Earth, Ocean & Society
242 Tectonics
252 Marine Biogeochemistry
272 Glaciers
2xx Equatorial Oceanography
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