Geosciences (Brown) Track
The Environmental Geosciences Track provides the essential skills for entry-level positions that require a basic understanding of geologic principles and a working knowledge of basic geologic concepts applied in the environmental industry. This track aims to produce scientists capable of tackling environmental problems in which earth materials and surficial geologic processes are most important. It also lays a strong foundation for graduate study in environmental geology, engineering geology, and natural hazards assessment. Students must complete at least 35 s.h. of Environmental Geosciences Track course work.
For help planning your courses, please see the brown track's Example Plan of Study, or contact the ES Program's undergraduate academic advisor, Hannah Whitcomb: hannah-whitcomb@uiowa.edu
General Sciences
These two courses:
| MATH:1860 | Calculus II | 4 s.h. |
| PHYS:1400 | Basic Physics | 4 s.h. |
Students are strongly encouraged to take additional coursework in physics.
Environmental Geosciences Foundation
These two courses:
| EES:2410 | Mineralogy | 4 s.h. |
| EES:3300 | Sedimentary Geology | 4 s.h. |
and at least 7 s.h. from the following list:
| EES:3360 | Soil Genesis and Geomorphology | 3 s.h. |
| EES:3500 | Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology | 4 s.h. |
| EES:3840 | Structural Geology | 4 s.h. |
| EES:4630 | Hydrogeology | 3 s.h |
| EES:4790 | Engineering Geology | 3 s.h. |
Environmental Geosciences Field Study
ONE of these:
| EES:4680 | Field Methods in Hydrologic Science | 3 s.h. |
| EES:4831 | Geologic Field Methods (recommended) | 3 s.h. |
| EES:4832 | Geologic Field Analysis | 3 s.h. |
| GEOG:4010 | Field Methods in Physical Geography | 3 s.h. |
| IALL:3142 | Watershed Hydrology and Surficial Processes | 4 s.h. |
Environmental Geosciences Electives
At least 6 s.h. from the following list. Additional field courses or foundation courses may also be used for elective credit.
| CEE:2150 | Natural Environmental Systems | 3 s.h. |
| CEE:4158 | Solid and Hazardous Wastes | 3 s.h. |
| ENVS:3110 | Chemical Evolution of the Oceans | 3 s.h. |
| EES:1400 | Natural Disasters | 3 s.h. |
| EES:3030 | Conservation Paleobiology | 3 s.h. |
| EES:3050 | Geology of Iowa | 2 s.h. |
| EES:3070 | Marine Ecosystems and Conservation | 3 s.h. |
| EES:3080 | Introduction to Oceanography | 2 s.h. |
| EES:4640 | Contaminant Hydrogeology | 3 s.h. |
| ENVS:3100 GEOG:3500 |
Intro to Applied Remote Sensing OR Intro to Environmental Remote Sensing |
3 s.h. |
| EES:3190 | Directed Study | ARR |
| EES:3350 | Active Tectonics | 3 s.h. |
| EES:3380 | Fluvial Geomorphology | 3 s.h. |
| EES:3390 | Integrated Watershed Analysis | 3 s.h. |
| EES:3770 | Global Stratigraphy | 3 s.h. |
| EES:4490 | Elements of Geochemistry | 3 s.h. |
| EES:4520 | Isotope Geochemistry | 3 s.h. |
| EES:4720 | Glacial and Pleistocene Geology | 3 s.h. |
| EES:4800 | Solid Earth Geophysics | 3 s.h. |
| GEOG:2310 | Introduction to Climatology | 3 s.h. |
| GEOG:2950 | Environmental Conservation | 3 s.h. |
| GEOG:3570 | LiDAR: Principles and Applications | 3 s.h. |
Students may petition their Environmental Science advisor to use other appropriate 2000-, 3000- and 4000-level courses as electives.
Policy Course
At least 3 s.h. from the following list:
| BIOL:1260 | Plants and Human Affairs | 3 s.h. |
| ECON:3330 | Environmental and Nat Resource Economics | 3 s.h. |
| EES:1115 | The History and Science of Oil | 3 s.h. |
| GEOG:1070 | Contemporary Environmental Issues | 3 s.h. |
| GEOG:3340 | Ecosystem Services: Human Dependence | 3 s.h. |
| GEOG:3750 | Environ Quality: Science, Tech, & Policy | 3 s.h. |
| GEOG:3760 | Hazards and Society | 3 s.h. |
| GEOG:3780 | U.S. Energy Policy in Global Context | 3 s.h. |
| GEOG:4750 | Environmental Impact Analysis | 3 s.h. |
| GEOG:4770 | Environmental Justice | 3 s.h. |