Texas A&M University Undergraduate Catalog 2004-2005 Edition

Earth Sciences 1

The B.S. degree in Earth Sciences is offered through the Department of Geology and Geophysics. This program provides a general background in Earth Science, including Atmospheric Sciences, Geography, Geology and Oceanography. Due to changes in Texas certification laws, this program no longer certifies students to teach earth science in grades seven and eight. This program, with modification, can prepare students to teach earth science at the secondary school level through the Option IV Composite Science Certification. Students interested in this certification are urged to see their advisor. Because of the breadth of this program, the B.S. in Earth Sciences curriculum does not provide the background for admission to graduate studies in the geosciences.

FRESHMAN YEAR

First Semester	(Th-Pr)	Cr	Second Semester	(Th-Pr)	Cr
CHEM 106 Molecular Science for Citizens 2	(3-0)	3	BOTN 101 Botany 2,3	(3-3)	4
ENGL 104 Comp. and Rhetoric	(3-0)	3	GEOL 106 Historical Geology	(3-3)	4
GEOL 101 Principles of Geology	(3-3)	4	HIST 106 History of U.S.	(3-0)	3
HIST 105 History of U.S. .	(3-0)	3	INST 210 Understanding Special Populations	(3-0)	3
MATH 166 Topics in Cont. Math. II	(3-0)	3	TEFB 201 Self Directed Experiences with Adolescents	(1-3)	1
		16	Free elective		2
					17

SOPHOMORE YEAR

ATMO 201 Atmospheric Science	(3-0)	3	ENGL 210 Argument. and Comp. or ENGL 241 Advanced Composition or ENGL 301 Technical Writing	(3-0)	3
COMM 203 Public Speaking	(3-0)	3	GEOL 301 Mineral Resources	(3-0)	3
GEOL 308 Integrated Earth Science	(3-3)	4	GEOL 309 Intro. to Field Meth.	(1-6)	3
POLS 206 American Natl. Govt.	(3-0)	3	TEFB 322 Teaching and Schooling	(2-3)	2
English literature elective 4		3	ZOOL 107 Zoology 2,3	(3-3)	4
* KINE 198 Health and Fitness Activity	(0-2)	1	* KINE 199 Required Physical Activity	(0-2)	1
		17			16

JUNIOR YEAR

PHIL 240 Intro. to Logic	(3-0)	3	EDTC 345 Microcomputer Awareness for Educators 6	(2-2)	3
PHYS 306 Basic Astronomy	(3-0)	3	PHYS 201 College Physics 2	(3-3)	4
POLS 207 State and Local Govt.	(3-0)	3	PHYS 307 Observa. Astronomy	(0-3)	1
TEFB 323 Teaching Skills I	(2-3)	3	TEFB 324 Teaching Skills II	(2-3)	3
Earth science elective 5		3	Earth science elective 5	(4-0)	4
Free elective		2	Free elective	(3-0)	3
		17			18

SENIOR YEAR

SOCI 317 Minority Groups 7	(3-0)	3	TEFB 429 Supervised Student Teaching 8	(0-24)	9
TEFB 406 Science in the Middle and Secondary Schools 8	(2-6)	3			9
Earth science elective 5		4
English literature elective 4		3
Visual and performing arts 4		3
Free elective		2
		18

Total Hours 128

NOTES: 1. Current requirements of the College of Education for teacher certification should be acquired from the advisor.

2. Substitutions must be approved by the advisor. If Composite Science Certification is sought, the appropriate substitutions must be approved.

3. Courses which are needed to satisfy the biology portion of the life-science teaching field.

4. Must satisfy Humanities requirement of the University Core Curriculum.

5. Earth science electives to be selected in consultation with student's advisor. The electives, in part, include any 300- or 400-level Geology course: AGRO 301 (4 hrs.), 310 (2 hrs.), 455 (3 hrs.); ANTH 302 (3 hrs.), 303 (3 hrs.), 308 (3 hrs.), 312 (3 hrs.), 313 (3 hrs.), 350 (3 hrs.), 351 (3 hrs.); ATMO 465 (2 hrs.); GEOG 324 (3 hrs.), 331 (3 hrs.), 400 (3 hrs.); OCNG 401 (3 hrs.); RENR 375 (3 hrs.).

6. Other computer usage courses may be approved for substitution by the advisor.

7. SOCI 323, 403 or 409 may be substituted as a multicultural course, satisfying both teacher certification and a part of the University Core Curriculum social science requirements.

8. No other course may be taken with TEFB 429 except GEOL 485 (3 cr.).

* See Kinesiology requirements.

Minors in Geology, Geophysics, Earth Sciences and Geoinformatics

The Department of Geology and Geophysics offers minors in three separate programs: Geology, Geophysics and Earth Sciences. Minors provide opportunities for broadening a student's background and tailoring the curriculum to specific career goals. For example, a minor in Geology or Geophysics may be especially beneficial to students majoring in fields that deal directly or indirectly with geological processes. These include agriculture, anthropology, archaeology, architecture, business, law, biology, chemistry, recreation and parks and soil science, to name a few.

The Departments of Geology and Geophysics, and Geography offer a minor in Geoinformatics. Geoinformatics is concerned with the collection, analysis and display of spatial information using geographic information systems, remote sensing, global positioning satellites and field mapping. The minor combines courses in computer science, mapping, geodesy, geographical information systems and remote sensing. Geoinformatics is used to solve problems associated with land administration, environment and natural resource management, planning and population studies in addition to traditional surveying and mapping applications. This minor represents a focused course of study, which can be combined with traditional areas of study in geology and geophysics, geography, and other areas of science and policy studies.

General Requirements for a Minor

1. Minimum of 15 credits in the discipline with at least 6 credits at the 300-400 level.

2. Minimum of 6 credits must be taken in residence at either Texas A&M in College Station or Texas A&M in Galveston.

3. Students must meet with the department's advisor for minor programs for approval of courses selected (any substitutions must be approved by the department head).

4. Minimum GPA of 2.0 must be achieved for all courses in the minor.

Additional Requirements for Specific Program

Minor in Geology

1. Either GEOL 101, 103, 104 or 320.

2. Remaining courses to be taken in Geology (except above and GEOL 308 and 321) or may include selected courses in Geography, Geophysics and Oceanography.

Minor in Geophysics

1. 9 credits of Geophysics courses.

2. May include selected courses in Atmospheric Sciences, Geology and Oceanography.

Minor in Earth Sciences

1. Either GEOL 101 or 104.

2. Remaining courses to be taken from at least three of the following five groups.

a. ATMO 151, 201, 206 or any upper-level courses.

b. GEOG 203, 213, 324, 330, 331, 361, 370, 390, 398, 400, 405, 434.

c. GEOL 106, 203, 301, 302, 304, 305, 306, 307, 309, 310, 312, 330, 404, 420, 451, 454; GEOP 213 or any upper-level courses.

d. GEOS 410.

e. OCNG 205, 251, 252, 401, 420.

Minor in Geoinformatics

1. GEOG 390 Principles of Geographic Information Systems.

2. GEOG 475 Advanced GIS.

3. GEOL 352 GPS in the Geosciences.

4. Two of the following four courses (Geology and Geophysics students cannot use GEOL 309 to fulfill this requirement).

a. CPSC 111 Introduction to Computer Science Concepts and Programming.

b. CPSC 211 Data Structures and Their Implementations.

c. GEOG 361 Remote Sensing.

d. GEOL 309 Introduction to Geological Field Methods.