- Degree Requirements—Both Concentrations
- Degree Requirements— Earth Sciences Concentration
- Degree Requirements—Environmental Earth Sciences Concentration
- Recommended Plan of Study
Minor in Earth and Environmental Sciences
Distinction
2440 Science and Engineering South (SES)
(312) 996–3154
http://www.uic.edu/depts/geos
Administration: Head, Neil C. Sturchio
Director of Undergraduate Studies, Roy E. Plotnick
The earth and environmental sciences examine the processes that affect the earth’s surface and its interior, the history of these processes, and the materials that they produce. They view the earth as a dynamic body, with continual interchanges of materials and energy among the planet’s interior and exterior, atmosphere, oceans, and life. Understanding of these processes is essential for evaluating the global environment, its natural variability and history, and its interactions with human activities.
A degree in earth and environmental sciences may lead to employment in industry, in the public sector, or in education. Many earth scientists establish careers in areas that are environmentally related, which may include the prevention, control, and remediation of pollutants from water and soil. Others work at predicting and preventing problems associated with natural hazards such as earthquakes, landslides, floods, and volcanic eruptions. Employment possibilities also exist in the exploration, utilization, and management of resources such as oil, coal, metals, or water.
BS with a Major in Earth and Environmental Sciences
Students majoring in Earth and Environmental Sciences choose a concentration in Earth Sciences or Environmental Earth Sciences.
Degree Requirements —Both Concentrations
Core Courses
| Courses | Hours |
| EAES 101—Exploring the Earth’s Surfacea | 5 |
| EAES 102—Exploring the Earth’s Interiora | 5 |
| EAES 220—Mineralogy | 4 |
| EAES 390—Current Topics in Earth and Environmental Sciencesb | 2 |
| Total Hours—Core Courses | 16 |
a This course is approved for the Analyzing the Natural World General Education category.
b EAES 390 fulfills the Writing-in-the-Discipline requirement.
Degree Requirements—Earth Sciences Concentration
To earn a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences degree from UIC, students need to complete University, college, and department degree requirements. The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences degree requirements are outlined below. Students should consult the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section for additional degree requirements and college academic policies.
| BS with a Major in Earth and Environmental Sciences Degree Requirements— Earth Sciences Concentration | Hours |
| Required Prerequisite and Collateral Courses | 28–30 |
| Core Courses | 16 |
| Concentration Requirements | 22 |
| General Education and Electives to reach Minimum Total Hours | 52–54 |
| Minimum Total Hours—BS with a Major in Earth and Environmental Sciences— Earth Sciences Concentration | 120 |
General Education
See General Education and Writing-in-the-Discipline in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section for information on meeting these requirements. Students should consult the course lists below and their advisors to determine which courses are counted toward the General Education and Writing-in-the-Discipline requirements.
Required Prerequisite and Collateral Courses—Earth Sciences Concentration
| Courses | Hours |
| One of the following sequences in general physics: | 8–10 |
| PHYS 105—Introductory Physics I—Lecture (4)ab | |
| PHYS 106—Introductory Physics I—Laboratory (1)ab | |
| PHYS 107—Introductory Physics II—Lecture (4)ab | |
| PHYS 108—Introductory Physics II—Laboratory (1)ab | |
| OR | |
| PHYS 141—General Physics I (Mechanics) (4)a | |
| PHYS 142—General Physics II (Electricity and Magnetism) (4)a | |
| CHEM 112—General College Chemistry Ia | 5 |
| CHEM 114—General College Chemistry IIa | 5 |
| MATH 180—Calculus Iac | 5 |
| MATH 181—Calculus IIa | 5 |
| Total Hours—Required Prerequisite and Collateral Courses | 28–30 |
a This course is approved for the Analyzing the Natural World General Education category.
b Each of the following pairs will be considered one course in meeting the LAS General Education requirements: PHYS 105/PHYS 106 and PHYS 107/PHYS 108.
c MATH 180 fulfills the LAS Quantitative Reasoning requirement.
Core Courses
See Core Courses under heading Degree Requirements—Both Concentrations.
Earth Sciences Concentration Requirements
| Courses | Hours |
| Twelve hours from the following: | 12 |
| EAES 310—Introduction to Geochemistry (4) | |
| EAES 330—Introduction to Petrology (4) | |
| EAES 350—Principles of Sedimentology and Stratigraphy (4) | |
| EAES 360—Introduction to Paleontology (4) | |
| EAES 400—Field Experience in Earth Sciences | 6 |
| EAES 440—Structural Geology and Tectonics | 4 |
| Total Hours—Concentration Requirements | 22 |
Degree Requirements— Environmental Earth Sciences Concentration
To earn a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences degree from UIC, students need to complete University, college, and department degree requirements. The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences degree requirements are outlined below. Students should consult the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section for additional degree requirements and college academic policies.
| BS with a Major in Earth and Environmental Sciences Degree Requirements—Environmental Earth Sciences Concentration | Hours |
| Required Prerequisite and Collateral Courses | 29–31 |
| Core Courses | 16 |
| Concentration Requirements | 22 |
| General Education and Electives to reach Minimum Total Hours | 51–53 |
| Minimum Total Hours—BS with a Major in Earth and Environmental Sciences—Environmental Earth Sciences Concentration | 120 |
General Education
See General Education and Writing-in-the-Discipline in College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section for information on meeting these requirements. Students should consult the course lists below and their advisors to determine which courses are counted toward the General Education and Writing-in-the-Discipline requirements.
Required Prerequisite and Collateral Courses—Environmental Earth Sciences Concentration
| Courses | Hours |
| One of the following options in general physics: | 4–5 |
| PHYS 105—Introductory Physics I—Lecture (4)ab | |
| PHYS 106—Introductory Physics I—Laboratory (1)ab | |
| OR | |
| PHYS 141—General Physics I (Mechanics) (4)a | |
| CHEM 112—General College Chemistry Ia | 5 |
| One of the following courses: | 5 |
| CHEM 114—General College Chemistry II (5)a | |
| CHEM 130—Survey of Organic and Biochemistry (5)a |
|
| MATH 180—Calculus Iac | 5 |
| MATH 181—Calculus IIa | 5 |
| Two courses in the area of environmental studies, chosen in consultation with the department undergraduate advisor | 5–6 |
| Total Hours—Required Prerequisite and Collateral Courses | 29–31 |
a This course is approved for the Analyzing the Natural World General Education category.
b PHYS 105/PHYS 106 will be considered one course in meeting the LAS General Education requirements.
c MATH 180 fulfills the LAS Quantitative Reasoning requirement.
Core Courses
See Core Courses under heading Degree Requirements—Both Concentrations.
Environmental Earth Sciences Concentration Requirements
| Courses | Hours |
| EAES 200—Field Work in Missouria | 2 |
| EAES 285—Environmental Geology | 4 |
| EAES 310—Introduction to Geochemistry | 4 |
| EAES 475—Hydrology/Hydrogeology | 4 |
| Eight hours from the following: | 8 |
| EAES 350—Principles of Sedimentology and Stratigraphy (4) | |
| EAES 440—Structural Geology and Tectonics (4) | |
| EAES 470—Surficial Processes (4) | |
| EAES 480—Statistical Methods in Earth and Environmental Sciences (4) | |
| Total Hours—Concentration Requirements | 22 |
a This course is approved for the Analyzing the Natural World General Education category.
To view a recommended plan of study for the BS with a Major in Earth and Environmental Sciences, please visit the LAS Web site http://www.uic.edu/las/college/info/fygp.
Minor in Earth and Environmental Sciences
Students from other disciplines who want to minor in Earth and Environmental Sciences must take 18 semester hours, chosen with the approval of the department. A maximum of 10 hours may be at the 100-level. EAES 200—Field Work in Missouri is required. Students must take at least 9 hours at the 200-level or above.
To be recommended for graduation with Departmental Distinction, a student must have a GPA in mathematics and science courses of 3.20/4.00 or better, 3.50/4.00 or better for High Distinction, and 3.70/4.00 or better for Highest Distinction as well as superior performance in EAES 396—Independent Research.