About the Program
Geosciences Department
160 Science and Math Complex
(716) 878-6731
http://geosciences.buffalostate.edu/
The Earth Sciences program offers students the opportunity to develop a broad understanding of the earth as a dynamic, interacting system of land, sea, atmosphere, and solar system. Coursework in chemistry, calculus, and physics are required, but more courses in these areas are expected, particularly for students intent upon careers in the geosciences, or contemplating graduate study.
Student majors are strongly encouraged to pursue independent research under faculty supervision and/or an internship experience. Students may find additional information about undergraduate research possibilities from faculty and by visiting the Office of Undergraduate Research Web site at undergraduateresearch.buffalostate.edu/ (http://undergraduateresearch.buffalostate.edu/). A departmental honors program also is available. Students should contact the department for additional information.
NOTE: Students seeking New York State Teacher Certification are advised to review the M.S.Ed. in Science Education degree program in the graduate catalog; this program requires completion of an undergraduate degree in a core science prior to admission. The program is designed to enable students to quickly and efficiently develop the knowledge and skills required for teaching and leads to initial NYS certification for those candidates meeting the program admission requirements. Contact the department for advisement on the quick admission and 4+1 pathways available for Buffalo State students.
Learning Outcomes
Students will demonstrate:
1. demonstrate knowledge of fundamental concepts and principles of Earth Sciences
2. be able to work as part of a team and to communicate results
3. demonstrate critical thinking skills in Earth Sciences disciplines
4. be competent in scientific writing, and use of earth sciences literature
5. be able to collect, analyze and interpret field and laboratory data
6. be qualified in earth sciences-used computer hardware and software
Program Requirements
General Education 23 Requirements (33 credit hours)
Completion requirement
Earth Science Major Requirements (58-63 credit hours)
Completion requirement
Required GES Courses Group I (45-46 credit hours)
Earn at least 6 credits from the following:
GES101 INTRODUCTORY GEOLOGY | 3 - Credit Hours
GES102 HISTORICAL GEOLOGY | 3 - Credit Hours
GES111 OCEANOGRAPHY | 3 - Credit Hours
GES123 ENVIRONMENTAL EARTH SCIENCE | 3 - Credit Hours
GES124 NATURAL HAZARDS | 3 - Credit Hours
GES132 THE SOLAR SYSTEM | 3 - Credit Hours
Required GES Courses Group II (45-46 credit hours)
Earn at least 7 credits from the following:
GES200 FIRST YEAR GEOLOGY EXPERIENCE | 3 - Credit Hours
GES201 PHYSICAL GEOLOGY | 4 - Credit Hours
GES202 EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTS THROUGH TIME | 4 - Credit Hours
Required GES Courses Group III (45-46 credit hours)
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
GES131 INTRODUCTORY ASTRONOMY | 3 - Credit Hours
GES241 METEOROLOGY | 3 - Credit Hours
GES303 MINERALOGY | 4 - Credit Hours
GES306 SEDIMENTOLOGY AND STRATIGRAPHY | 4 - Credit Hours
GES307 GEOMORPHOLOGY | 4 - Credit Hours
GES408 STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY | 4 - Credit Hours
GES418 STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY FIELD EXPERIENCE | 1 - Credit Hours
GES428 GEOLOGICAL HAZARDS | 3 - Credit Hours
(26 credit hours)
Required GES Courses Group IV (45-46 credit hours)
Earn at least 6 credits from the following:
GES323 THIRD- YEAR RESEARCH AND FIELD METHODS EXPERIENCE | 3 - Credit Hours
OR GES452 HYDROGEOLOGY | 3 - Credit Hours
GES431 PLANETARIUM SEMINAR | 3 - Credit Hours
OR GES472 GEOLOGY SENIOR SEMINAR | 3 - Credit Hours
At least 3 credits must come from Upper Division Astronomy and 3 credits from Seminar. Total of 6 credit hours)
Required Cognate Courses (13-17 credit hours)
Completion requirement
Chemistry Courses
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
CHE111 FUNDAMENTALS OF CHEMISTRY I | 3 - Credit Hours
CHE113 LABORATORY FOR FUNDAMENTALS OF CHEMISTRY I | 1 - Credit Hours
Cognate Course Selection (3-5 credit hours)
Complete at least 1 of the following Courses:
PHY107 GENERAL PHYSICS I | 4 - Credit Hours
PHY111 UNIVERSITY PHYSICS I | 5 - Credit Hours
BIO104 ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY | 3 - Credit Hours
BIO111 FOUNDATIONS OF BIOLOGY | 3 - Credit Hours
BIO213 INTRODUCTION TO ECOLOGY, EVOLUTION, AND BEHAVIOR | 4 - Credit Hours
Mathematics (3-5 credit hours)
Complete at least 1 of the following Courses:
MAT124 FUNCTIONS AND MODELING II | 3 - Credit Hours
MAT126 APPLIED CALCULUS I | 4 - Credit Hours
MAT161 CALCULUS I | 4 - Credit Hours
MAT163 USING TECHNOLOGY TO EXPLORE CALCULUS I | 1 - Credit Hours
GIS Course (3 credits hours)
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
GEG325 MAPS AND MAPMAKING USING GIS | 3 - Credit Hours
All College Electives (19-29 credit hours)
Completion requirement
120 Total Credit Hours