Combined Major

Geology-Environmental Studies Major

Department/Program

Total credit requirements for a Geology-Environmental Studies major: 64-66 (26 in Geology, 13-15 in supporting Science courses, and 25 in required coursework for all Environmental Studies majors)

 

Common Requirements for all Environmental Studies Majors

  • Required Courses
    • Introductory Coursework: Environmental Studies 120 and 207
    • Foundation Coursework: Fulfill the following requirements for the two areas outside of your area of concentration (arts and humanities, natural and physical sciences, or social sciences).
      • Environmental Arts and Humanities: Take two elective courses from the list below.
      • Environmental Natural and Physical Sciences: Take 7 credits in elective courses from the list below. Credits must come from at least two departments, and include at least one course with a lab.
      • Environmental Social Sciences: Take two elective courses from the list below.
    • Interdisciplinary Coursework: Take one interdisciplinary elective from the list below.
    • Senior Coursework: Environmental Studies 479
  • Additional Requirements
    • Fulfill all of the requirements for a major in a specific area of concentration, chosen from:
      • Environmental Arts and Humanities: Art-Environmental Studies or Environmental Humanities
      • Environmental Natural and Physical Sciences: Biology-Environmental Studies, Chemistry-Environmental Studies, Geology-Environmental Studies, or Physics-Environmental Studies
      • Environmental Social Sciences: Anthropology-Environmental Studies, Economics-Environmental Studies, History-Environmental Studies, Politics-Environmental Studies, or Sociology-Environmental Studies
  • Senior Requirements
    • Environmental Studies 479
    • Further requirements as specified by the chosen major
  • Honors
    • Specified within each major
  • Notes
    • Up to 8 transfer credits may be applied to a major in Environmental Studies.
    • No courses taken P-D-F can be applied toward the major.

Requirements for Geology-Environmental Studies Majors

  • Complete the Common Requirements for all Environmental Studies Majors (25 Credits)
  • Required Geology Courses
    • Geology 125 and 126 (or Geology 110 and 111; or Geology 120 and 121)
    • Geology 227, 270, 350, 358, 420, and 470
    • Geology 405 or 301
  • Required Supporting Science Courses
    • Chemistry 125 and 135; or 140
    • Mathematics 124, 125, or 126
    • One 3- or 4-credit course numbered above 125, chosen from Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics and Statistics, or Physics
    • Choose one of the following:
      • One additional course from Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics and Statistics, or Physics
      • Biology 115 or 130
  • Recommended Courses
    • Geology 480
    • Courses in meteorology, physics, calculus, statistics, biology, and chemistry
  • Senior Requirements
    • Geology 470
    • Senior assessment:
      • Four-hour written Geology exam
      • Geology oral exam, which may be conducted in the field
      • An Environmental Studies oral exam may be required for students who do not complete an interdisciplinary thesis.
  • Honors
    • Students do not apply for admission to candidacy for honors.
    • Accumulated at least 87 credits
    • Completed two semesters of residency at Whitman
    • Major GPA of at least 3.500
    • Complete a written thesis or research project prepared exclusively for the satisfaction of this program.
    • Earn a grade of at least A- on the honors thesis or project and the honors thesis course.
    • Pass the senior assessment with distinction.
    • Chair of the department will notify the Registrar of students attaining honors no later than the beginning of Week 12.
    • An acceptable digital copy of the honors thesis must be submitted to Penrose Library no later than Reading Day.
Item #
Title
Credits
6 - 8
6 - 8
3 - 4
Sub-Total Credits
15-20
Total Credits
64-66