Earth Sciences

Subject abbreviation: GEO College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences

David D. Oglesby, Ph.D., Chair Mary L. Droser, Ph.D., Vice Chair John Herring, Graduate Student Affairs Officer Office: Batchelor Hall, 1140A

• (951) 827-2441; earthscience.ucr.edu

Professors Mary L. Droser, Ph.D. Nigel C. Hughes, Ph.D. Timothy W. Lyons, Ph.D. Richard A. Minnich, Ph.D. David D. Oglesby, Ph.D. Peter M. Sadler, Ph.D. Professors Emeriti Shawn Biehler, Ph.D. Lewis H. Cohen, Ph.D. James H. Dieterich, Ph.D. Wilfred A. Elders, Ph.D. Harry W. Green, II, Ph.D. Tien-Chang Lee, Ph.D. Michael A. Murphy, Ph.D. Stephen K. Park, Ph.D. Michael O. Woodburne, Ph.D. Associate Professors Gordon Love, Ph.D. Michael A. McKibben, Ph.D. Assistant Professors Robert J. Allen, Ph.D. Gareth Funning, Ph.D. Abhijit Ghosh, Ph.D. ** Adjunct Professors Larissa F. Dobrzhinetskaya, Ph.D. Douglas M. Morton, Ph.D. Adjunct Assistant Professors Elizabeth Cochran, Ph.D. Katherine J. Kendrick, Ph.D. Thomas A. Scott, Ph.D. Lecturer Marilyn A. Kooser, Ph.D.

The Department of Earth Sciences offers B.S. degrees in Geology and Geophysics, and a B.A. degree in Geoscience Education. These degree programs are designed for students with a strong interest in various aspects of the Earth Sciences, and for students interested in secondary teaching with a science emphasis. The B.S. programs place substantial emphasis on fieldwork with field courses, field trips in all appropriate courses, and excursions between quarters. The B.A. degree places emphasis on the fundamentals of geoscience, with additional coursework in education.

Undergraduate advising in the Department of Earth Sciences is designed to allow close professional contact with faculty and staff. Counseling on graduation, departmental requirements and enrollment is handled by the major’s professional academic advisors housed in the CNAS Undergraduate Academic Advising Center and the faculty undergraduate advisor for each major.

Each student selects a faculty mentor who counsels the student on career goals and research opportunities. The department recommends that students meet with their faculty mentor at least once each quarter to clarify career objectives and revise the program of study so it is commensurate with the developing interests and objectives of the student.

Teachers in the public schools in California must have a credential approved by the State Commission on Teacher Credentialing. The credential requires an undergraduate major, baccalaureate degree, and completion of a graduate credential program such as that offered by the Graduate School of Education at UCR.

Before admission and student teaching in a graduate credential program, the candidate must pass the California Basic Education Skills Test (CBEST) and demonstrate subject-matter proficiency by passing an examination. All candidates for a multiple subject credential to teach in the elementary grades must pass the Multiple Subjects, California Subject Exam for Teachers (CSET). Students are urged to start early, preferably as freshmen, selecting courses most helpful for this career. Details and counseling on the Prepare to Teach Program, a program for the multiple subject credential, are available in the Office of Interdisciplinary Programs, 2417 Humanities and Social Sciences, (951) 827-2743. Details and counseling on other programs are available in the Department of Earth Sciences or the Graduate School of Education.

UCR does not yet have a state-approved subject matter undergraduate program for earth science majors who wish to teach at the secondary level. The Teaching Credential in Science, geoscience authorization, is required for teachers who want to teach earth science/ geoscience in middle school and high school. Students who plan to get this credential must take the CSET exams in Geosciences and should make certain their academic program includes preparatory course work. The examination includes geoscience in depth and general science with introductory, college-level biology, chemistry, physics, and geoscience (geology, meteorology, oceanography, astronomy). CSET test guides are available at www.cset.nesinc.com.

Further information about courses, requirements, and examinations can be obtained in orientation meetings, the CalTEACH-SMI Office (1104 Pierce Hall) and the Graduate School of Education (1124 Sproul Hall).

Earth Science students interested in a secondary school science teaching career, who intend to obtain a Teaching Credential in Science, geoscience authorization, are encouraged to pursue the B.A. degree in Geoscience Education. This degree will best prepare such students for the state credentialing examinations, but is not intended for those students who wish to become professional geologists. Students who want to have the option to become either a professional geoscientist or to teach earth science in secondary schools should pursue both the B.S. in General Geology as well as the teaching credential from the Graduate School of Education.

Students in CNAS who intend to pursue a Teaching Credential in Science, with authorization in another science, should consider pursuing a Minor in Earth Sciences.

Geology Major

The department offers four options for the Geology major: General Geology, Geobiology, Geophysics, and Global Climate Change. Students who choose the Geology major study the structure, composition, processes, and history of the earth. In particular, the Geology major stresses features of the Earth’s surface and interactions between its atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, rocky crust, and interior.

General Geology Option Students entering the General Geology option study the nature, distribution, age, and origin of minerals, rocks, and their contained fossils, placed within a global framework of the Earth as an evolving geologic system. The option entails a broad range of geologic training including geology, geophysics, geochemistry, and paleontology. An emphasis is also placed on fieldwork (mapping, sampling) and thoughtful analysis of geologic data (including statistical and graphical analysis with computers). Though broadly based, the option provides the student some flexibility to pursue specific geologic areas of interest at the upper-division level. Graduates of the General Geology option are qualified to pursue almost any professional career in the Earth Sciences and are well- suited to tackle graduate research at the M.S. or Ph.D. level.

Global Climate Change Option The Global Climate Change option offers earth science training with an emphasis on modern and ancient evidence for global climate change and the effects of such processes on the planet. Links between human activities, organismal evolution, weathering, volcanism, plate tectonics, extraterrestrial events and the history of the atmosphere and oceans are examined. Ancient earth climate trends are studied as proxies for predicting future climate change. Students in this option receive training in climatology, oceanography, paleoecology, stratigraphy, earth resources and the global carbon cycle.

Geobiology Option The Geobiology option offers broad-based geological training combined with a special emphasis on paleontology and organism–time interactions. Students take the geology core but at the undergraduate upper-division level focus on courses related to the fossil record, evolution and biodiversity, sedimentology, stratigraphy, and biogeography. The graduate leaves with a marketable geology degree coupled with special insight into historical aspects of life’s place and role on this planet.

Geophysics Option The Geophysics option allows a student to combine general geological training with geophysical techniques to image the Earth’s interior. Students take the geology core but complete additional courses in physics, mathematics, geophysics, Earth Sciences 218 / Programs and Courses

and geohydrology. Emphasis is placed on applications of geophysics to hydrological, environmental, and natural resource problems. Graduates are especially suited to enter professional employment in environmental geology and resource exploration or graduate programs in Earth Sciences. Students seeking to enter graduate programs in Geophysics should pursue the Geophysics major.

Geophysics Major

Students who choose the Geophysics major apply the principles and concepts of physics, mathematics, geology, and engineering to the study of the physical characteristics of the earth and other planets. They make measurements of gravity and magnetic fields, seismic waves, temperatures, and natural electric current. Geophysicists study these topics from the standpoint of the physics of solid bodies, gases, and fluids. Some geophysicists are field oriented, some laboratory oriented, some theoretical, and some combine these areas.

Geoscience Education Major

Students who chose the B.A. degree in Geoscience Education intend to teach earth science and general science at the secondary school level. Students receive Freshman- and Sophomore-level training in General Geology, training in introductory Biology, and Freshman- level training in Chemistry, Calculus, and Physics. They also take courses in Education that are required for state examinations and teacher credentialing in California. The B.A. in Geoscience Education degree is designed for prospective secondary science teachers; it will not lead to a career as a professional geologist.

Students who want to have the option to become either a professional geoscientist or to teach earth science in secondary school should pursue both the B.S. in General Geology as well as the teaching credential from the Graduate School of Education.

Students wishing to change into or continue in the Geology major must be in good academic standing and show potential to graduate without exceeding 216 units.

Freshmen (2nd and 3rd quarter) must demonstrate progress in basic sciences and aptitude for geology by satisfying the following three criteria by Spring Quarter or Summer Session:

• • MATH 009B eligible (e.g. completion of

MATH 9A or MATH 8B with grades of C- or better)

• • CHEM 001B eligible (e.g. completion of

CHEM 1A with a grade of C- or better

• • One of GEO 001, GEO 002, and GEO 003

completed with a grade of C- or better

Sophomores (up to 89.9 cumulative units) must demonstrate sustained progress in basic sciences and aptitude for geology by satisfying the following three criteria by Spring Quarter or Summer Session:

• • CHEM 001C completed with passing

grades

• • MATH 009C eligible (e.g. MATH 9B with

grade of C- or better)

• • Two of GEO 001, GEO 002, and GEO 003

completed with no grade below C- after repeats

Juniors (90 – 134.9 units) must demonstrate near completion of basic sciences and aptitude for upper-division geology by satisfying the following three criteria by Spring Quarter or Summer Session:

• • CHEM 001C and MATH 009C completed

with passing grades

• • PHYS 040B or PHYS 002B and PHYS 002LB eligible (i.e. completion of one

quarter of college physics with C- or better)

• • GEO 002, GEO 003, and GEO 115 or GEO 122 (and all prerequisites) completed with

no grade below C- after repeats

Seniors (135+ units): must have completed all but 1 course of the geology core requirements by Spring Quarter or Summer Session, as follows:

• • CHEM 001C, MATH 009C, and PHYS 040C or PHYS 002C and PHYS 02LC

completed with passing grades.

• • BIOL 002 or BIOL 005A and BIOL 05LA,

and STAT 100A or STAT 155 completed with passing grades.

• • GEO 001, GEO 003, GEO 115, and GEO 122 or GEO 101 (and all prerequisites)

completed with no grade below C- after repeats.

Applicants to majors in the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences are selected on the basis of academic preparation, as assessed by their GPA and the strength of preparation for the intended major. A GPA of at least 2.70 is required. (This is a baseline GPA for consideration and not a guarantee of admission.)

In addition, applicants will need to complete college courses comparable to at least two of the following UCR year-long sequences in order to meet selection criteria for this major. Courses must be completed with “C” grades or better:

MATH 009A, MATH 009B, and MATH 009C (mandatory)

And at least one sequence from:

• 1. BIOL 005A/BIOL 05LA and BIOL 005B (and

BIOL 005C, if articulated)

• 2. CHEM 001A, CHEM 01LA, CHEM 001B,

CHEM 01LB, CHEM 001C, and CHEM 01LC

• 3. PHYS 040A, PHYS 040B, and PHYS 040C

• 4. MATH 010A, MATH 010B, and MATH 046

Courses must be completed with a letter grade, with no grade lower than a “C.” Students should visit assist.org for updated and comprehensive major preparation requirments.

See Undergraduate Studies section.

See College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Colleges and Programs section.

Some of the following requirements for the major may also fulfill some of the college’s breadth requirements. Consult with a department advisor for course planning.

Geology Major

All courses in Geosciences that are prerequisites for other courses in the major must be passed with a grade of “C-” or better before proceeding in the sequence. For example, GEO 001 is a prerequisite for GEO 122.

The department offers four options to majors in Geology: General Geology, Geobiology, Geophysics, and Global Climate Change. All students majoring in Geology are normally required to take the core curriculum.

General Geology, Geobiology, Geophysics, and Global Climate Change Options

Core Requirements (77-79 units)

• 1. Lower-division requirements (58-59 units)

• a) GEO 001, GEO 002, GEO 003/BIOL 010

• b) BIOL 002 or both BIOL 005A and BIOL 05LA

• c) Either CHEM 001A and CHEM 01LA or

CHEM 01HA and CHEM 1HLA, either CHEM 001B and CHEM 01LB or CHEM 01HB and CHEM 01HLB, either CHEM 001C and CHEM 01LC or CHEM 01HC and CHEM 1HLC

• d) MATH 008B or MATH 009A, MATH 009B, MATH 009C

• e) PHYS 040A, PHYS 040B, PHYS 040C

• 2. Upper-division requirements (19-20 units)

• a) GEO 101, GEO 115, GEO 122

• b) STAT 100A or STAT 155

Global Climate Change Option (59 units)

• 1. Lower-division requirements (20 units)

• a) BIOL 005B, BIOL 005C

• b) GEO 009, GEO 010 and GEO 011

• 2. Upper-division requirements (39 units)

• a) GEO 118, GEO 136 or GEO 137, GEO 152

or GEO 153, GEO 157, GEO 160, GEO 169

• b) Fourteen (14) units of related upper-

division course approved by the undergraduate advisor

General Geology Option (58 units)

• 1. GEO 100, GEO 116, GEO 118, GEO 123

• 2. GEO 102A (14 units in one quarter), or

GEO 102A and GEO 102B (14 units in two quarters), or GEO 102A, GEO 102B, and GEO 102C (14 units in three quarters).

• 3. One course from GEO 157, GEO 160, GEO 161, GEO 162, GEO 169

• 4. One course from GEO 124, GEO 132, GEO 136, GEO 137

• 5. One course from GEO 140, GEO 144, GEO 145, GEO 147.

• 6. GEO 151 or GEO 152/BIOL 152

• 7. Eight (8) additional units of related

upper-division courses approved by the undergraduate advisor

Geobiology Option (58 units)

• 1. BIOL 005B, BIOL 005C

• 2. GEO 100, GEO 116, GEO 118, GEO 123

• 3. GEO 102A (14 units in one quarter), or

GEO 102A and GEO 102B (14 units in two quarters), or GEO 102A, GEO 102B, and GEO 102C (14 units in three quarters).

• 4. Three courses from GEO 151, GEO 152/BIOL 152, GEO 160, GEO 169

• 5. Four (4) additional units of related

upper-division courses approved by the undergraduate advisor

Geophysics Option (55 units)

• 1. MATH 046

• 2. PHYS 040D, PHYS 040E

• 3. GEO 116, GEO 118, GEO 132, GEO 140,

GEO 144, and GEO 145 or GEO 147

• 4. Two additional 4-unit upper-division courses

in Geosciences

• 5. Two upper-division physical science courses

approved by the undergraduate advisor

Geophysics Major

The following are major requirements for the B.S. in Geophysics. All students majoring in Geophysics are normally required to take this core curriculum.

• 1. Lower-division requirements (67-68 units)

• a) Either CHEM 001A and CHEM 01LA or

CHEM 01HA and CHEM 1HLA, either CHEM 001B and CHEM 01LB or CHEM 01HB and CHEM 01HLB, either CHEM 001C and CHEM 01LC or CHEM 01HC and CHEM 1HLC

• b) GEO 001

• c) MATH 008B or MATH 009A, MATH 009B, MATH 009C, MATH 010A, MATH 010B, MATH 046

• d) PHYS 040A, PHYS 040B, PHYS 040C,

PHYS 040D

• e) CS 010

• 2. Upper-division requirements (61-66)

• a) GEO 115, GEO 116, GEO 140, GEO 145

• b) Two of GEO 100, GEO 122, GEO 123,

GEO 132, GEO 137, GEO 144, GEO 147, GEO 157

• c) Five of PHYS 130A, PHYS 130B, PHYS 134, PHYS 135A, PHYS 135B, PHYS 136, PHYS 139L, PHYS 142L, PHYS 177, MATH 113, MATH 131, MATH 132,

MATH 135A, MATH 135B, MATH 146A, MATH 146B, MATH 147

• d) Sixteen (16) units of upper-division

physical science courses, which may include up to 9 units of Senior Thesis (GEO 195A, GEO 195B, GEO 195C) or up to 4 units of independent internship (GEO 198-I).

Geoscience Education Major

The following are major requirements for the B.A. in Geoscience Education. All students majoring in Geoscience Education are normally required to take this core curriculum.

• 1. Lower-division Geoscience requirements (20

units)

• a. GEO 001, GEO 002, GEO 003/BIOL 010,

GEO 004, GEO 010

• 2. Upper-division Geoscience requirements

(26-30 units)

• a. GEO 115, GEO 122

• b. Four courses from: GEO 100, GEO 101,

GEO 116, GEO 118, GEO 123, GEO 124, GEO 132, GEO 136, GEO 137, GEO 140, GEO 147, GEO 151, GEO 152/BIOL 152, GEO 157, GEO 160, GEO 168, GEO 169.

• 3. Mathematics requirements (12 units)

• a. MATH 009A, MATH 009B, MATH 009C

• 4. Natural Sciences requirements (28-31 units)

• a. BIOL 002, or BIOL 005A and BIOL 05LA

• b. CHEM 001A and CHEM 01LA, CHEM 001B and CHEM 01LB, CHEM 001C and

CHEM 01LC

• c. PHYS 002A and PHYS 002B and PHYS 002C, or PHYS 040A and PHYS 040B

and PHYS 040C

• 5. Humanities requirements (to count towards

College requirement of 20 units for the B.A.)

• a. LING 020 or LING 021

• 6. Education requirements (41 units):

• a. EDUC 003, EDUC 004, EDUC 100B or

equivalent, EDUC 104/MATH 104, EDUC 109, EDUC 110, EDUC 116, EDUC 139, EDUC 174, EDUC 177A

Students who wish to Minor in Geology, Geophysics or Global Climate Change must complete 20-28 units of organized upper division courses in Geosciences. A minimum of 16 of these units must be unique to the minor and cannot be used to satisfy major requirements. To satisfy prerequisites, additional preparatory coursework in Earth Sciences and other sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics) may be required.

Minor in Geology: GEO 001, GEO 115; plus 15- 23 additional upper division Geosciences units. Minor in Geophysics: GEO 001; GEO 140; plus 16-24 additional units taken from GEO 115, GEO 116, GEO 132, GEO 144, GEO 145, GEO 190, and GEO 199.

Minor in Global Climate Change: GEO 001 or GEO 002; GEO 011; GEO 160; plus 16-24 additional upper division Geoscience units.

Before submitting a petition for a Minor to the college, students interested in pursuing a Minor in Geology or Geophysics or Global Climate Change must consult with the undergraduate faculty advisor in Earth Sciences.