BA.GE.EN - Geology-Environmental Studies (Major)

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 Humanities: Take two elective courses from the list below.

    • Environmental Natural and Physical Sciences: Take 7 credits in elective courses from the list below from at least two departments, including 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/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.