Courses

Starting in Environmental Science

Environmental science is interdisciplinary. You’ll work and study with students from across the sciences in courses that emphasize teamwork and communication. You’ll learn about global environmental systems while also applying your knowledge in hands-on projects that address local issues.

Most students take GES 130: Introduction to Environmental Science as their first course. You should have a semester of college-level chemistry before taking 200-level or higher courses in the environmental science program.

Starting in Geology

The geology curriculum covers a broad cross-section of geological specialties, including sedimentology, geomorphology, hydrogeology, geochemistry, structural geology, mineralogy and paleontology. Our program emphasizes field trips so you can see geology rather than just read about it. Most courses include lab or weekend field trips, while regional geology courses devote Spring Break or a May Term to visiting a different region in North America where you can experience new geological settings first hand.

You can take either GES 125: Michigan Field Geology or GES 100: Planet Earth, as your first geology course. Majors typically also take GES 111: How the Earth Works during their first semester. GES 203: Historical Geology, is a good course to take the following Spring Semester. Geology majors should also take General Chemistry early in their college career.

GES professors are happy to plan a course schedule that fits your specific situation.

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Example Schedules

Environmental Science Minor in Five Semesters

Or two years if you've already taken chemistry!

Add electives to total 16 credits each semester.

Year One

Fall Semester	General Chemistry 125 + 127 (4 credits)

Year Two

Fall Semester	Earth Environmentatal Systems I (3 credits) Flagged course in major (4 credits)
Spring Semester	Earth Environmental Systems II (3 credits) Lab Methods in Environmental Science (2 credits)

Year Three

Fall Semester	Advanced Environmental Seminar (2 credits) Flagged course in major (4 credits)
Spring Semester	Environmental Public Policy (2 credits)

B.A. Geology Major in Two Years

Add electives to total 16 credits each semester. Upper-level courses are taught alternate years. Courses offered may vary from the titles suggested here. Geochemistry may vary in semester offered.

Year One

Fall Semester	Michigan Field Geology or Planet Earth (4 credits) How the Earth Works (2 credits) Chemistry 125 or 131 (4 credits)
Spring Semester	Historical Geology (4 credits) Regional Geology (2 credits) Any science besides geology (4 credits)

Year Two

Fall Semester	Mineralogy or Surficial Geology (4 credits) Sedimentology or Paleontology (4 credits)
Spring Semester	Petrology or Structural Geology (4 credits) Hydrogeology or Geochemistry (4 credits)

B.S. Geology Major

Add electives to total 16 credits each semester

Year One

Fall Semester	Michigan Field Geology (4 credits) How the Earth Works (2 credits) Chemistry 125 or 131 (4 credits) First Year Seminar (2 credits)
Spring Semester	Historical Geology (4 credits) Math (4 credits)

Year Two

Fall Semester	Surficial Geology (4 credits) Biology (4 credits)
Spring Semester	Regional Geology (2 credits) Structural Geology (4 credits)

Year Three

Fall Semester	Mineralogy (4 credits) Physics (4 credits)
Spring Semester	Petrology (4 credits) Regional Geology (2 credits)

Year Four

Fall Semester	Sedimentology (4 credits) Senior Seminar (4 credits) Computer Science (4 credits)
Spring Semester	Hydrogeology (4 credits) Math (4 credits)

B.S. Geology Major and Environmental Science Minor

Add electives to total 16 credits each semester

Year One

Fall Semester	Michigan Field Geology (4 credits) How the Earth Works (2 credits) Chemistry (4 credits) First Year Seminar (2 credits)
Spring Semester	Historical Geology (4 credits) Math (4 credits) Chemistry (4 credits) Earth Environmental Systems II (3 credits)

Year Two

Fall Semester	Surficial Geology (4 credits) Biology (4 credits) Earth Environmental Systems 1 (3 credits) Math (4 credits)
Spring Semester	Regional Geology (2 credits) Biology (4 credits) Lab Methods in Environmental Science (2 credits) Structural Geology (4 credits)

Year Three

Fall Semester	Mineralogy (4 credits Environmental Geochemistry (4 credits)
Spring Semester	Petrology (4 credits) Regional Geology (2 credits) Environmental Public Policy (4 credits)

Year Four

Fall Semester	Advanced Environmental Seminar (2 credits) Senior Seminar (4 credits)
Spring Semester	Hydrogeology (4 credits) Math (4 credits)