The Earth Sciences minor at UNH offers a broad foundation in geosciences, covering geology, environmental science, mineralogy, oceanography, and geospatial technologies. This minor complements other majors, preparing you for graduate studies or careers in law, business, government, and industry. UNH’s location near the Great Bay Estuary and the White Mountains provides excellent hands-on learning opportunities, from fieldwork to state-of-the-art labs.
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
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.
Students interested in the Earth Science minor should contact matt.davis@unh.edu for more information.
Academic policies related to Minors.
Credit toward the minor will only be given for courses passed with C- or better, and a 2.00 grade-point average must be maintained in courses for the minor.
- Courses taken on a pass/fail basis may not be used for a minor.
- No more than 8 credits used to satisfy major requirements may be used for the minor.
- No more than 2 courses or 8 credits may be from transfer coursework. Any transferred coursework must be approved by the minor coordinator.
For additional details on how to declare a minor, please visit https://www.unh.edu/registrar/academic-records/majors-minors.
The Earth Sciences minor typically is completed with five ESCI courses and may include research credits supervised by an Earth Sciences faculty member.
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 and ESCI 409) 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.
