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 three courses:
EES:2410 | Mineralogy | 4 s.h. |
EES:3300 | Sedimentary Geology | 4 s.h. |
EES:4630 | Hydrogeology | 4 s.h. |
and at least 6 s.h. from the following list:
EES:2200 | Historical Geology | 3 s.h. |
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 | 4 s.h. |
EES:4790 | Applied Environmental Geology | 3 s.h. |
Environmental Geosciences Field Study
At least 3 s.h. from:
EES:2831 | Geologic Field Methods (recommended) | 3 s.h. |
EES:4680 | Field Methods in Hydrologic Science | 3 s.h. |
GEOG:4010 | Field Methods in Physical Geography | 3 s.h. |
IALL:3175 | Soil Formation and Landscape Relationships | 2 s.h. |
IALL:3176 | Glacial Geomorphology | 2 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:4158 | Solid and Hazardous Wastes | 3 s.h. |
ENVS:3110 | Chemical Evolution of the Oceans | 3 s.h. |
EES:1290 | Energy and the Environment | 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. |
GEOG:3500 | Intro to Environmental Remote Sensing | 3 s.h. |
EES:3190 | Directed Study | ARR |
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. |
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: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. |