Earth Sciences Four-Year Plan
Revised 05/2023
Bold: only offered in indicated semester
Italic: course prerequisites and corequisites (designated by &)
UD: must be admitted to the major prior to enrollment
◊: courses required for admission to this major
Note: CSE prefers these math courses: Math 1371, Math 1372, Math 2373, Math 2374. However, these alternative courses will also fulfill the same requirements, respectively: Math 1271, Math 1272, Math 2243, Math 2263.
Freshman Year
Fall Semester
- ◊ Math 1371 Calculus I (placement or prereq) [4cr]
- ◊ Phys 1301W Intro Physics I (&Math 1371) [4cr]
- ◊ Chem 1065 Chem Principles I Lab (&1061) [1cr]
- ◊ Chem 1061 Chem Principles I (placement or 1015, &1065) [3cr]
- Liberal Education course or Writ 1301 [3 or 4cr]
- CSE 1001 First Year Experience [1cr]
Spring Semester
- ◊ Math 1372 Calculus II (1371) [4cr]
- Phys 1302W Intro Physics II (1301W, &Math 1372) [4cr]
- Chem 1066 Chem Principles II Lab (&1062) [1cr]
- Chem 1062 Chem Principles II (1061, &1066) [3cr]
- Liberal Education course (ESci 1012 recommended) or Writ 1301 [3 or 4cr]
Sophomore Year
Fall Semester
- CHOOSE ONE:
- Math 2373 Linear Algebra & Differential Equations (1372) [4cr]
- Math 2374 Multivariable Calculus (1372) [4cr]
- ◊ ESci 2201 Solid Earth Dynamics (&Phys 1301W) [4cr]
- ◊ ESci 2301 Mineralogy (&Chem 1061/65, &Math 1371) [3cr]
- Liberal Education course [3 or 4cr]
Spring Semester
- ESci 2202 Earth History (2201, 2301) [4cr]
- ESci 2203 Earth Surface Dynamics [4cr]
- ESci 3891 Field Methods [2 cr]
- ESci Elective course [3 or 4cr]
- Liberal Education course [3 or 4cr]
Summer after sophomore year: ESci 3911 Intro Field Geology (3891)
Junior Year
Fall Semester
- ESci 3303W Geochemical Principles (&Chem 1061/65) [4cr]
- ESci 3202 Fluid Earth Dynamics (&2201) [4cr]
- ESci Elective course [3 or 4cr]
- Liberal Education course [3 or 4cr]
Spring Semester
- ESci Elective course [3 or 4cr]
- ESci Elective course [3 or 4cr]
- ESci Elective course [3 or 4cr]
- Liberal Education course [3 or 4cr]
Summer after junior year: ESci 4911 Advanced Field Geology (3911) or 4971W Hydrogeology
Senior Year
Fall Semester
- ESci Elective course [3 or 4cr]
- ESci Elective course [3 or 4cr]
- Additional Cognate Science (Technical Elective) [3 or 4cr]
- Open Elective (If needed to reach 120 credits) [3 or 4cr]
Spring Semester
- ESci Elective course [3 or 4cr]
- Additional Cognate Science (Technical Elective) [3 or 4cr]
- Open Elective (If needed to reach 120 credits) [3 or 4cr]
- Open Elective (If needed to reach 120 credits) [3 or 4cr]
Total Credits Needed for Degree: 120
Additional Information
The APAS is the official method for tracking completion of your specific degree requirements. This plan is not a contract and curriculum can change.
Applying to a major: z.umn.edu/csemajorapp
Courses required for admission to this major: Math 1371, Math 1372, Phys 1301W, Chem 1061/65, ESci 2201, ESci 2301
All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C- or higher.
Department Contact Information
Website: cse.umn.edu/esci
Main Phone: 612-624-1333 | Main Office: Tate Hall 150
Director of Undergraduate Studies: Professor Lars Hansen; lnhansen@umn.edu
Learn how to add study abroad to your degree planning!
What can I do with a major in Earth Sciences?
University Degree Requirements
All students must complete the following requirements. Requirements with an (*) will be fulfilled by taking courses at UM-TC required for this major.
Writing Requirements
University Writing:
- Writ 1301/1401 or equivalent
Writing Intensive (WI):
- One: Any level*
- One: Any level*
- One: 3/4/5xxx level (in major)*
- One: 3/4/5xxx level (any dept.)
Liberal Education
Cores:
- Biological Sciences w/Lab
- Physical Sciences w/Lab*
- Historical Perspectives
- Social Sciences
- Arts/Humanities
- Literature
- Mathematical Thinking*
Themes (choose 4 of 5):
- Race, Power, and Justice in the US (required)
- Civic Life and Ethics
- The Environment
- Global Perspectives
- Technology and Society