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 (3911or 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

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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