Requirements
Bridget Spaeth, Department Coordinator
Professors: Rachel J. Beane, Philip Camill (Environmental Studies), Collin S. Roesler
Associate Professors: Peter D. Lea, Emily M. Peterman
Assistant Professor: Michèle G. LaVigne
Visiting Faculty: Jaclyn Baughman
Laboratory Instructors: Cathryn Field, Joanne Urquhart, Elizabeth Walker
Instrument Technician: Emily Kallin
Requirements for the Major in Earth and Oceanographic Science
The major consists of ten courses.
Required courses:
- one of EOS 1105, 1305, 1505, or 1515
- EOS 2005
- one of the following:
- Biology 1102 or 1109; or Chemistry 1092 or 1102 or 1109; or Computer Science 1101; or Mathematics 1300, 1400, 1800, 1808, or 2000 level; or Physics 1140
- one course with a laboratory (numbers ending in five) from each of the following three areas:
- Solid Earth: EOS 2115, 2125, 2145, 2165, or 2215
- Earth Surface Processes: EOS 2315, 2335, 2345, 2355, or 2365
- Oceans: EOS 2525, 2535, 2575, 2585, 2605, 2625, 2635, or 2665
- one research experience course: EOS 3115, 3515, 3525, or 3625
- one senior seminar: EOS 3020, 3140, or 3520
- two EOS electives at the intermediate (2000–2969) or advanced (3000–3999) level
- One of these electives may be one of the following courses: Biology 2319, 2325; or Chemistry 3050, 3060; or Computer Science 3225; or Environmental Studies 2004 or 2331; or Physics 2250, 2510, or 2810; or an approved off-campus study or summer field course comparable to a 2000-level or above EOS course at Bowdoin.
Additional Information
- Only one course numbered 1100–1999 in earth and oceanographic science may be counted toward the major requirements.
- Students may opt to begin the major with EOS 2005 having previously taken Biology 1102 or 1109, or Chemistry 1092, 1102, or 1109. Such students may substitute an intermediate EOS laboratory course (2000–2969) or research experience course (EOS 3115, 3515, or 3625) for introductory EOS (1100–1999).
- Independent studies do not count toward the major requirements.
- All courses counted toward the major must be completed with a C- or better.
- Courses taken to fulfill major or minor requirements must be taken for regular letter grades (not Credit/D/Fail).
- Normally, one course taken at another college or university may be counted toward the earth and oceanographic science major requirements with departmental approval.
Requirements for the Minor in Earth and Oceanographic Science
The minor consists of five courses.
Required courses:
- EOS 2005
- Four additional courses meeting the following criteria:
- no more than one introductory course numbered 1100–1999;
- at least two courses must be lab courses; and
- at least three courses must be at the 2000 level or above.
- Courses taken at other institutions or study away programs may not be counted toward the EOS minor.
- All courses counted toward the minor need to be completed with a C- or better.
Postgraduate Study
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 (earth and oceanographic science major/physics minor), and students interested in majoring in physics with an earth and oceanographic science application (physics major/earth and oceanographic science minor). Students interested in an earth and oceanographic science major/ physics minor with an interest in the solid earth discipline would be best served by selecting their optional physics courses from Physics 2130, 2150, 2230, 2250, 2510, 3000, 3010, or 3020; those with an interest in the surface earth discipline should choose from Physics 2130, 2220, 2230, 2810, 3010, 3020, or 3810; those with an interest in the oceanography discipline should choose from Physics 2130, 2150, 2230, 2240, 2810, 3000, 3010, 3020, 3120, 3130, or 3810.