Earth Sciences

Subject abbreviation: GEO College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences

David D. Oglesby, Ph.D., Chair Mary L. Droser, Ph.D., Vice Chair Department Office: 1324A Geology

• (951) 827-3182; earthsciences.ucr.edu

John Herring, Graduate Student Affairs Officer Office: Batchelor Hall, 1140A

• (951) 827-2441

CNAS Undergraduate Academic Advising Center, 1223 Pierce Hall cnasstudent.ucr.edu

Professors Mary L. Droser, Ph.D. Marilyn L. Fogel, Ph.D. Nigel C. Hughes, Ph.D. Gordon Love, Ph.D. Timothy W. Lyons, Ph.D. Richard A. Minnich, Ph.D. David D. Oglesby, Ph.D. Andrew Ridgwell, 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 Robert J. Allen, Ph.D. Gareth Funning, Ph.D. Michael A. McKibben, Ph.D. Assistant Professors Nicolas Barth, Ph.D. Andrey Bekker, Ph.D. Maryjo N. Brounce Ph.D. Heather Ford, Ph.D. Abhijit Ghosh, Ph.D. Sandra Kirtland Turner, Ph.D.

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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.

The Department of Earth Sciences offers B.S. degrees in Earth Sciences, Geology and Geo- physics. These degree programs are designed for students with a strong interest in acquir- ing academic understanding and relevant vocational training in the Earth Sciences, and for students interested in secondary teaching with a science emphasis. The B.S. programs include fieldwork with field courses, and field trips in all appropriate courses.

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.

Faculty undergraduate advisors counsel students on career goals and research opportunities. The department recommends that students meet with their faculty advisor 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 Earth Sciences / 220 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 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 second- ary school science teaching career, who intend to obtain a Teaching Credential in Science, geoscience authorization, should pursue both the B.S. in Earth Science or in Geology as well as the teaching credential from the Graduate School of Education. Students who want to have the option to become either a profes- sional geoscientist or to teach earth science in secondary school should pursue the B.S. in 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 authoriza- tion in another science, should consider pursu- ing a Minor in Earth Sciences.

Geology Major

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.

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.

Students wishing to change into or continue in the Geology major must be in good academic standing and show potential to graduate with- out exceeding 216 units.

Freshmen (2nd and 3rd quarter) must demon- strate 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 007A or MATH 009A 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, or 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 or MATH 046 eligible (e.g.

MATH 007B or MATH 009B with grade of C- or better)

• • Two of GEO 001, GEO 002, or 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 or MATH 046 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 or MATH 046

and PHYS 040C or PHYS 002C and PHYS 02LC completed with passing grades.

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

or BIOL 020, 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 007A or MATH 009A, MATH 007B or MATH 009B, and MATH 009C or MATH 046 (mandatory)

And at least one sequence from:

• 1. BIOL 005A, BIOL 05LA or BIOL 020 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

or PHYS 002A, PHYS 002B and PHYS 002C

• 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 requirements.

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.

All courses in Geosciences that are prerequi- sites 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 concentrations to majors in Earth Science: Geosystems, Climate Change, Geophysics, and Geobiology. All students majoring in Earth Sciences are normally required to take the core curriculum.

Geosystems, Climate Change, Geobiology, and Geophysics Concentrations

Core Requirements (61-66 units)

• 1. Lower division core requirements (48-53

units)

• a) GEO 001

• b) GEO 002 or GEO 009 or GEO 011

• c) GEO 003/BIOL 010

• d) GEO 004 or GEO 007 or GEO 008 or GEO 010 or GEO 012

• e) BIOL 005A and BIOL 005LA or BIOL 020

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

CHEM 01HA and CHEM 1HLA, either CHEM 001B and CHEM 01LB or CHEM 01HB and CHEM 01HLB

• g) MATH 007A or MATH 009A, MATH 007B

or MATH 009B, MATH 046

• h) Either PHYS 040A, PHYS 040B or PHYS 002A and PHYS 002LA, PHYS 002B and

PHYS 002LB Students interested in elective classes in Geophysics are recommended to take PHYS 040C or PHYS 002C. Students interested in elective classes in Geochemistry are recommended to take CHEM 001C.

• 2. Upper division core requirements (13 units)

• a) GEO 111, GEO 115, GEO 157

Geosystems Concentration

• 1. Upper division requirements (34–40 units)

• a) GEO 101, GEO 118

• b) Three of GEO 100, GEO 116, GEO 122,

221 / Programs and Courses

GEO 132, GEO 151, GEO 152, GEO 162

• c) Three additional classes from GEO 100,

GEO 116, GEO 122, GEO 132, GEO 136, GEO 137, GEO 138, GEO 140, GEO 144, GEO 145, GEO 147, GEO 151, GEO 152, GEO 160, GEO 161, GEO 162, GEO 169, STAT 100A, STAT 100B

Students interested in pursuing professional licensure through the California Geologist In Training (GIT) are advised to take the Geology Major.

Climate Change Concentration

• 1. Lower division requirements (5 units)

• a) CHEM 001C and CHEM 001LC, or CHEM 001HC and CHEM 001HLC

• 2. Upper division requirements (32–35 units)

• a) GEO 160, GEO 161

• b) Three of GEO 136, GEO 137, GEO 162,

ENSC 102

• c) Three additional classes from GEO 100,

GEO 101, GEO 116, GEO 118, GEO 122, GEO 132, GEO 136, GEO 137, GEO 140, GEO 144, GEO 145, GEO 147, GEO 151, GEO 152, GEO 162, GEO 169, STAT 100A, STAT 100B

Geobiology Concentration

• 1. Lower division requirements (8 units)

• a) BIOL 005B, BIOL 005C

• 2. Upper division requirements (32–35 units)

• a) GEO 151 and GEO 152/BIOL 152

• b) Three of GEO 136, GEO 137, GEO 161,

GEO 169, ENTM/BPSC/BIOL 112, BIOL 151

• c) Three additional classes from GEO 100,

GEO 101, GEO 116, GEO 118, GEO 122, GEO 132, GEO 136, GEO 137, GEO 140, GEO 144, GEO 145, GEO 147, GEO 160, GEO 161, GEO 162, GEO 169, STAT 100A, STAT 100B

Geophysics Concentration

• 1. Lower division requirements (5 units)

• a) PHYS 002C and PHYS 002LC, or PHYS 040C

• 2. Upper division requirements (33-37 units)

• a) GEO 140, GEO 145

• b) Three of GEO 116, GEO 118, GEO 144,

GEO 147

• c) Three additional classes from GEO 100,

GEO 101, GEO 116, GEO 118, GEO 122, GEO 132, GEO 136, GEO 137, GEO 144, GEO 147, GEO 151, GEO 152, GEO 160, GEO 161, GEO 162, GEO 169, STAT 100A, STAT 100B

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.

All students majoring in Geology are normally required to take the core curriculum.

• 1. Lower-division requirements (43-44 units)

• a) GEO 001, GEO 002 or GEO 009 or GEO 011, GEO 003/BIOL 010

• b) BIOL 002 or BIOL 005A, BIOL 05LA (or

BIOL 020)

• 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

• d) MATH 007A or MATH 009A or MATH 009HA, MATH 007B or MATH 009B or

MATH 009HB, MATH 046

• e) PHYS 040A, PHYS 040B or PHYS 002A

and PHYS 02LA, PHYS 002B and PHYS 02LB

Students interested in elective classes in Geophysics are recommended to take PHYS 040C (if they have previously taken PHYS 040A and PHYS 040B), or PHYS 002C and 02LC (if they have previously taken PHYS 002A and PHYS 02LA and PHYS 002B and 02LB). Students interested in elective classes in Geochemistry are recommended to take CHEM 001C and CHEM 01LC.

• 2. Upper-division requirements (47-49 units)

• a) GEO 100, GEO 101, GEO 102A, GEO 102B, GEO 111, GEO 115, GEO 116,

GEO 118, GEO 122

• b) Two of GEO 123, GEO 124, GEO 132,

GEO 136, GEO 137, GEO 140 GEO 144, GEO 145, GEO 147 GEO 151, GEO 152, GEO 157, GEO 160, GEO 161, GEO 162, GEO 169, STAT 100A or STAT 155

Students interested in pursuing professional licensure through the California Geologist In Training (GIT) examination should consider taking GEO 132 and GEO 162 as their elective classes

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 (52-66 units)

• a) GEO 001 and one of GEO 004 or GEO 008

• b) MATH 007A or MATH 009A or MATH 009HA, MATH 007B or MATH 009B or

MATH 009HB, MATH 009C, MATH 010A, MATH 031, MATH 046

• c) PHYS 040A, PHYS 040B, PHYS 040C

(strongly recommended), or PHYS 002A, PHYS 02LA, PHYS 002B, PHYS 02LB, PHYS 002C, PHYS 02LC

• d) CS 010 or CS 030

CHEM 001A, CHEM 001LA, CHEM 001B, CHEM 001LB, MATH 010B are recommended as prerequisites for upper division electives in geology and geophysics, and for students looking to earn a teaching credential for high school science.

• 2. Upper-division requirements (46-51 units)

• a) GEO 111, GEO 115, GEO 116, GEO 140,

GEO 145

• b) One of GEO 144 or GEO 147

• c) Five of GEO 100, GEO 101, GEO 118,

GEO 122, GEO 132, GEO 144 OR GEO 147, GEO 157, PHYS 130A, PHYS 130B, PHYS 132 OR PHYS 134, PHYS 135A, PHYS 135B, PHYS 136, PHYS 139L, PHYS 177, MATH 120, MATH 131, MATH 132, MATH 135A, MATH 135B, MATH 146A, MATH 146B, MATH 146C, MATH 147, MATH 149A OR STAT 160A, MATH 149B or STAT 160B, or STAT 160C, MATH 168, STAT 100A or STAT 155, STAT 100B

Students wishing to continue on to graduate school may wish to earn a Minor in Mathematics, Physics, Statistics, or Computer Science, requiring an additional 24 upper division units of study, and/or completion of a Senior Thesis, which includes up to 9 units of independent research.

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, and GEO 190.

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.

The department of Earth Sciences offers the M.S. and Ph.D. in Geological Sciences.

Graduate education in the Geological Sciences emphasizes general geology combined with specialization in fields such as evolutionary paleobiology, invertebrate and vertebrate paleontology, Quaternary geology, neotectonics, applied geophysics, geotectonics, crustal processes, geochemistry, groundwater, mineral deposits, stratigraphy, sedimentology, sedimentary geochemistry, basin analysis, landscape ecology, fire ecology, and natural resource conservation. Integrated field and laboratory studies are encouraged.

Admission An undergraduate degree in geology or geophysics is the normal preparation for Earth Sciences / 222 graduate work; however, a degree from a related field of science or engineering is often appropriate. Applicants to graduate status must supply GRE General Test (verbal, quantitative, analytical) scores before admission.

In addition to the general requirements listed under the Graduate Studies section of this catalog, the requirements for the M.S. degree in Geological Sciences, under the Plan 1 (Thesis), are as follows.

Admission Students must make up any deficiency in preparation. The background required is course preparation equivalent to the bachelor’s degree in Geology or Geophysics at UCR. Courses taken to remedy background deficiencies are not applicable to the graduate degree. Such courses are designated in the letter of admission to the program sent by the dean of the Graduate Division to the student.

Biannual Reviews All students must undergo biannual reviews by the departmental Graduate Progress Committee. A student’s progress is assessed in these reviews, and the committee may recommend changes in a student’s plans after these reviews.

Course Work All students must enroll each quarter in the Graduate Seminar in Geosciences (GEO 250). Students must attend the weekly Hewett Club lecture series.

Students must complete a minimum of 36 units of course work in the major and related subjects and obtain advance approval of a coherent plan of study from the graduate advisor.

A maximum of 12 upper-division units beyond the requirements for the bachelor’s degree may be applied to the 36-unit requirement. Students must complete a minimum of 12 units of graduate courses, which must include at least four graduate-level instructional courses taught by four different faculty members as approved by the graduate advisor.

Subject to the approval of the graduate advisor, a limited number of upper-division courses in the major and related sciences, if not required for the bachelor’s degree and not taken previously, may be accepted for graduate credit.

Thesis and Final Oral Examination Before the end of the third quarter of study and before embarking on research, the student must submit a written thesis proposal to the graduate progress committee. After approval of the proposal, the student must submit a thesis based on original work for approval by a thesis committee. A maximum of 12 units of thesis research may be counted toward the 36-unit minimum.

Students present an open research seminar as a final oral examination, which is advertised to all the students and faculty in the Earth Sciences Department.

Normative Time to Degree 7 quarters

Global Climate and Environmental Change (GCEC) The GCEC MS track is a field and laboratory based multidisciplinary program focused on the evidence for and controls of past and present climate change. Candidates must complete the following:

Course Work Students must complete a minimum of 36 quarter units of graduate and upper-division undergraduate courses, and research credit from 1 and 2 (below). Other upper-division undergraduate and graduate classes outside may be substituted with consent of the Graduate Advisor. 24 of 36 credits must be graduate level.

• 1) Required Core courses: GEO 224 upon entry

into the program, GEO 260 and BIOL 212/ ENTM 212/GEO 212.

• 2) At least two additional disciplinary courses:

GEO 221, GEO 226, GEO 239, GEO 249, GEO 251, GEO 255, GEO 264, GEO 265, GEO 268, GEO 301, OR ENSC 200, ENSC 218, ENSC 224, ENSC 225, ENSC 232.

Thesis Work Before the end of the third quarter students must nominate a faculty advisor and identify a thesis topic. Before embarking on research the student must submit a thesis proposal based on original work for approval by a thesis committee. A maximum of 8 units of research credit can be counted toward the 36 unit minimum. Students present an open research seminar as a final oral examination.

The Department of Earth Sciences offers the Ph.D. in Geological Sciences. In addition to the general university requirements of the Graduate Division as found in the Graduate Studies section of this catalog, the Ph.D. in Geological Sciences normally requires the following.

Biannual Reviews All students meet with the Graduate Progress Committee during their first week at UCR to discuss general interests, goals, and plans. The committee recommends courses designed to prepare a student for research and to correct deficiencies in background. This committee also reviews a student’s progress biannually and may recommend transfer to the master’s program if normal progress is not maintained.

Course Work Students must complete at least four graduate-level instructional courses taught by four different faculty members as approved by the graduate advisor. Up to four 100 level classes can count subject to Graduate Advisor approval. Course work used in satisfaction of the M.S. degree may be accepted with the graduate advisor’s approval. All students must enroll each quarter in the Graduate Seminar in Geosciences (GEO 250). Students are also required to attend the weekly Hewett Club lecture series.

Written and Oral Qualifying Examinations Students must write two research proposals. The proposal topics must be approved by an examination committee to ensure breadth. The committee reviews the proposals and, if acceptable, recommends proceeding to the oral qualifying examination. An oral examination committee appointed by the dean of the Graduate Division examines the adequacy of the student’s preparation to conduct the proposed research. Advancement to candidacy in the Ph.D. program follows successful completion of the oral examination. All Ph.D. candidates must satisfy the course requirements and have passed their written and oral qualifying exams within two years of entering the program, otherwise they will not be eligible to continue in the Ph.D. track. Exceptions can only be granted by the Graduate Advisor or by the Chair.

Dissertation and Final Oral Examination A dissertation normally evolves from one of the research proposals. The dissertation must present original scholarly work and be approved by a dissertation committee before the student may take the final oral examination. Students must have satisfactory performance on the final oral examination given by the dissertation committee. Major emphasis in this examination is on the dissertation and related topics.

Normative Time to Degree from the B.S. 17 quarters