Environmental Sciences Major: Geosystems Option (B.S.)

Environmental Sciences Major: Geosystems Option (B.S.)

Professor Varner and Students working in field

What is the geosystems option in environmental sciences?

This intercollege program, hosted between the colleges of Engineering & Physical Sciences and Life Sciences & Agriculture, is designed for students seeking broad, interdisciplinary training in the foundational sciences with an emphasis on the interactions of biological, chemical, and physical processes that shape our natural environment. The geosystems option, coordinated by the Department of Earth Sciences, provides students with foundational coursework in math and the sciences, enhanced by broad training across the environmental sciences and specialized training in Earth system processes, thereby positioning students with the ability to focus on climate, atmospheric and/or biogeochemical processes from an environmental sciences perspective.

Why study geosystems at UNH?

The location of UNH, on the Great Bay Estuary and close to the White Mountains, provides an ideal backdrop for hands-on learning opportunities for all environmental science students. Students have multiple opportunities to immerse themselves in research experiences in the field and in state-of-the-art laboratories, and funds are available by competitive application to support these opportunities. Employment for environmental scientists is projected to grow 11 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. The increasing need for environmental protection and responsible land and water resource management is projected to spur demand for environmental scientists.

Potential careers

  • Environmental consultant
  • Environmental toxicologist
  • Geospatial scientist
  • Hydrographer
  • Hydrologist
  • Physical scientist
  • Resource manager
  • Science journalist
  • Secondary school teacher
Find Courses
View Course Schedule

Contact

Julie Bryce

Earth Sciences Undergraduate Coordinator
PROFESSOR
Phone: (603) 862-3139
Office: Earth Sciences, James Hall Rm 308, Durham, NH 03824
Department of Earth Sciences
56 College Road
214 James Hall
Durham, NH 03824

P: (603) 862-1718
E: earth.sciences@unh.edu

Curriculum & Requirements

The College of Engineering and Physical Sciences (CEPS) and the College of Life Science and Agriculture (COLSA) jointly offer a bachelor of science degree in environmental sciences. Environmental sciences, an interdisciplinary field, focuses on the interaction of biological, chemical, and physical processes that shape our natural environment. Students graduating with a degree in environmental sciences will have an understanding of these interacting processes, the ability to communicate effectively with both scientific and lay audiences, competency in field methods appropriate for entry-level environmental science positions, competency in the use and application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), a basic understanding of environmental policy, and the ability to contribute to multidisciplinary teams. The University of New Hampshire is a recognized leader in environmental sciences research, and the environmental sciences program capitalizes on faculty expertise in this area. The full-time faculty members comprising this program have major teaching and research emphases in the areas of biogeochemical cycling, environmental chemistry, ecosystem science, geospatial science, global change, hydrology, plant ecology, soil science, and water resource management. 

Employment opportunities include environmental consulting firms, educational facilities (e.g., science centers), environmental monitoring laboratories (e.g., water treatment plants; the Environmental Protection Agency), government agencies (e.g., the U.S. Geological Survey, Bureau of Land Management, Natural Resource Conservation Service), university and government research laboratories, and nongovernment environmental organizations. The environmental sciences program also constitutes an excellent preparation for graduate programs in several areas relating to the environment. Students should consult with their adviser early if their goals include further study.

The Program has four options, and specific course requirements for the major vary by option. The geosystems and hydrology options are both managed by the Department of Earth Sciences in CEPS, and the ecosystems and soils and watersheds options are both managed by the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment in the COLSA. The geosystems option provides students with a solid grounding in quantitative reasoning, with an emphasis on geochemical and geospatial systems.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
NR 400
or ESCI 400
 Professional Perspectives in Natural Resources
or Freshman Field Seminar
 1
NR 403 Introduction to Environmental Science 4
MATH 425 Calculus I 4
CHEM 403 General Chemistry I 4
ENGL 401 First-Year Writing 4
 Credits17
Spring
ESCI 409 Geology and the Environment 4
MATH 426 Calculus II 4
CHEM 404 General Chemistry II 4
Inquiry Discovery Course 1 4
 Credits16
Second Year
Fall
BIOL 411
or BIOL 412
 Introductory Biology: Molecular and Cellular
or Introductory Biology: Evolution, Biodiversity and Ecology
 4
ESCI 534 Techniques in Environmental Sciences 3
PHYS 407 General Physics I 4
Discovery Course 1 4
 Credits15
Spring
ESCI 501
or ESCI 514
 Introduction to Oceanography
or Introduction to Climate
 4
ESCI 512 Principles of Mineralogy 4
PHYS 408 General Physics II 4
Discovery Course 1 4
 Credits16
Third Year
Fall
ESCI 561 Landscape Evolution 4
ESCI 741
or ESCI 747
 Geochemistry
or Aqueous Geochemistry
 4
ESCI 777 GIS for Earth & Environmental Sciences 4
Discovery Course 1 4
 Credits16
Spring
ESCI 654 Fate and Transport in the Environment 4
MATH 644
or BIOL 528
 Statistics for Engineers and Scientists
or Applied Biostatistics I
 4
ESCI 642 Biogeosciences in the Earth System 3
NR 791 Preparation for Capstone 1
NR 602 Natural Resources and Environmental Policy 4
 Credits16
Fourth Year
Fall
Elective 4
Approved Technical Elective 2 4
Quantitative/Spatial Analysis Elective 2 4
Discovery Course 1 4
 Credits16
Spring
Discovery Course 1 4
Senior Capstone (ESCI 799, INCO 790) or elective if capstone is satisfied 4
Approved Technical Elective 2 4
Elective 4
 Credits16
 Total Credits128
1

One course must be taken in each of the remaining Disciplinary Groups of the University Discovery Program (Environment Technology & Society; Historical Perspectives; World Culture; Fine & Performing Arts; Social Science; Humanities).

2

Three technical electives must be approved in consultation with departmental advisor.

All students must take four writing intensive courses, including ENGL 401, a course in the major, and a course at the 600/700 level.

In addition to the Discovery Program and University writing requirements, all students will take Introduction to Environmental Science NR 403 Introduction to Environmental Science and Professional Perspectives in Natural Resources (NR 400 Professional Perspectives in Natural Resources), plus one other elective introductory environmental science course. Foundation courses include introductions to biology, physics, chemistry, geology, calculus, and statistics.

INTRODUCTORY

NR 400Professional Perspectives in Natural Resources1
NR 403Introduction to Environmental Science4
Plus one other elective introductory environmental science course4
Total Credits9

FOUNDATION

Biology
BIOL 411Introductory Biology: Molecular and Cellular4
or BIOL 412 Introductory Biology: Evolution, Biodiversity and Ecology
Chemistry
Select one of the following:4-8
CHEM 403
& CHEM 404
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry II
or CHEM 405
 Chemical Principles for Engineers
Physics
PHYS 407
& PHYS 408		General Physics I
and General Physics II		8
Calculus
MATH 425
& MATH 426		Calculus I
and Calculus II		8
Statistics4
MATH 644
Statistics for Engineers and Scientists
or BIOL 528
 Applied Biostatistics I
Geology
Select one of the following:4
ESCI 401
Dynamic Earth
ESCI 402
Earth History
ESCI 409
Geology and the Environment
Total Credits32-36

CORE COURSES

ESCI 534Techniques in Environmental Sciences3
ESCI 654Fate and Transport in the Environment4
ESCI 777GIS for Earth & Environmental Sciences4
or NR 658 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
NR 602Natural Resources and Environmental Policy4
Capstone Experience 1
Total Credits15
1

NR 791 Preparation for Capstone and an independent study or capstone course taken in the senior year and approved by their adviser and the program coordinator.

Geosystems

Mineralogy
ESCI 512Principles of Mineralogy4
Geomorphology
ESCI 561Landscape Evolution4
Biogeosciences
ESCI 642Biogeosciences in the Earth System3
Geochemistry
Approved Geochemistry Elective4
ESCI 741
Geochemistry
ESCI 745
Isotope Geochemistry
ESCI 747
Aqueous Geochemistry
ESCI 796
Topics (Biogeochemistry)
or NR 744
 Biogeochemistry
A course in quantitative or spatial analysis4
Select two or three approved electives8-12
Total Credits27-31

Some students enroll in the EcoQuest program (a study abroad opportunity in New Zealand), which satisfies the policy requirement, and capstone requirement if taken senior year.

Students must complete additional courses for the geosystems option to total 88 credits in the major.

For a list of approved elective courses and for further information about the geosystems option, students may contact earth.sciences@unh.edu.

Capstone Experience

A capstone experience is required of all undergraduate Earth sciences majors during their senior year. All capstone experiences at UNH must meet one or more of the following criteria:

  1. The capstone synthesizes and applies disciplinary knowledge and skills.
  2. The capstone fosters reflection on undergraduate learning and experience.
  3. The capstone demonstrates emerging professional competencies.
  4. The capstone applies, analyzes, and/or interprets research or data or artistic expression.
  5. The capstone explores areas of interest based on the integration of prior learning.

Suggested ways of meeting the capstone requirement in the Department of Earth Sciences include approved INCO 790 experiences, ESCI 795/796 field courses, senior thesis (ESCI 799/799H), URA/SURF/IROP projects, internships, environmental/geologic field camps, REU programs, or Earth Sciences education and outreach activities designed according to the above criteria. Capstone experiences must be equivalent to a minimum of 2 academic credits. Students should work closely with their faculty advisors to define the most appropriate capstone experience for their Earth Sciences degree program, although the capstone mentor can be someone other than their primary faculty advisor. All capstone experiences must be approved and certified by the faculty advisor and the capstone mentor. Presentation of projects or experiences developed for the capstone is encouraged at the annual UNH Undergraduate Research Conference or other appropriate venue.

  • Recognize common Earth and environmental materials and dynamic processes in the Earth System and environment.
  • Understand the Earth as a system and be able to describe the broad attributes of and interactions within the Earth System and the environment through both short- and long-term perspectives, evaluate how and why it is changing today, and assess coupled human and natural system interactions. Understand the ecological and chemical systems of the environment.
  • Understand Earth processes and cycles using a strong foundation of physical, biological and chemical sciences.
  • Perform field measurements and simple calculations to collect, evaluate and interpret quantitative environmental or geological data. Understand the role that spatially explicit data and time series play in understanding environmental and hydrological sciences.
  • Collect, interpret, and synthesize basic field observations and measurements to develop and test multiple working hypotheses to explain them. Additionally, become comfortable with the use of technology and computational methods in processing a range of scientific data.
  • Analyze, summarize, evaluate, and explain/present their own scientific data and the primary Earth and environmental sciences literature.
  • Communicate results of scientific inquiries orally, visually, and in writing.

Environmental Sciences, Geosystems - Senior Capstone

Resume

Department flyer can be found here.

Forms

Departmental Petition for Program Variance - Petition for major requirement

Registrar Forms - including Petition for Variance in Academic Policy (Petition for University and/or Discovery requirement)

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