Earth Sciences (Minor)

Earth Sciences (Minor)

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What is earth sciences?

The study of earth sciences will give you abroad foundation and essential skills in the geosciences. You’ll be able to choose from courses in geology and the environment, history, minerology, chemistry, oceanography, geodynamics and geospatial technologies, with flexibility in approved courses to accommodate your interests in different aspects of the geosciences. The Earth sciences minor program nicely complements other majors to prepare you for graduate or professional school, or careers in law, business, the nonprofit sector, government or industry.

Why study earth sciences at UNH?

UNH is located on the Great Bay Estuary and close to the White Mountains, providing an ideal backdrop for hands-on learning opportunities for all earth sciences students. You’ll have multiple options to immerse yourself in research experiences in the field and in state-of-the-art laboratory settings. Increasing needs for energy, environmental protection and responsible land, water and resource management means that those with a background in earth sciences will be well prepared for the future job market.

Potential Careers

  • Biologist
  • Business analyst
  • Energy sector specialist
  • Environmental consultant
  • Government agency manager
  • Land/water/resource-use steward
  • Lawyer
  • Oceanographer
  • Science journalist
  • Secondary school teacher
Find Courses
View Course Catalog

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 Department of Earth Sciences offers a minor in Earth Sciences available to all University students. The Earth Sciences minor provides an opportunity for students to complement their major field of study with foundational knowledge and essential skills in the geosciences. As with all minors offered at UNH, the Earth Sciences minor adheres to the following University requirements:

The minor consists of at least 20 semester hours of credit. For the Earth Sciences minor, the 20 credits typically come from five ESCI courses and may include research credits supervised by an Earth Sciences faculty member. A grade of C- or better must be earned in each course, and an overall 2.00 grade point average must be maintained for all courses applied toward the minor. Courses taken on a pass/fail basis may not be used for the minor. No more than two courses (8 credits) can be used to satisfy simultaneously requirements for a student's major and minor, or two minors. No more than two courses (8 credits) may be transferred from another accredited institution and applied toward the minor, provided UNH has accepted them as transfer credits.

Courses in the Earth Sciences minor must include both introductory and more advanced ESCI courses. Strongly recommended introductory courses include ESCI 401 Dynamic Earth or ESCI 409 Geology and the Environment (students may not receive credit for both ESCI 401 Dynamic Earth and ESCI 409 Geology and the Environment) and ESCI 402 Earth History. More advanced courses must include at least one at the 600 or 700 level. Specific courses in the program are selected in consultation with a minor adviser in the Department of Earth Sciences, with flexibility in approved courses to accommodate interests in different aspects of the geosciences. Interested students should contact the Department of Earth Sciences (earth.sciences@unh.edu) to arrange to complete an Intent to Minor form no later than their junior year. Forms can be picked up in the Earth Sciences main office, 214 James Hall.

Explore Program Details

Intent-to-Minor Form

Earth Sciences Intent-to-Minor Form

Certification of Completion of Minor

Certification of Completion of Minor

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