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 (Fall and Spring) | 4 s.h. |
| PHYS:1400 | Basic Physics (Fall and Spring) | 4 s.h. |
Students are strongly encouraged to take additional coursework in physics.
Environmental Geosciences Foundation
These three courses:
| EES:2410 | Mineralogy (Fall only) | 4 s.h. |
| EES:3300 | Sedimentary Geology (Fall only) | 4 s.h. |
| EES:4630 | Hydrogeology (Spring in 2022, then Fall only) | 4 s.h. |
and at least 6 s.h. from the following list:
| EES:2200 | Historical Geology (Spring only) | 3 s.h. |
| EES:3360 | Soil Genesis and Geomorphology (Every other Spring) | 3 s.h. |
| EES:3500 | Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology (Spring only) | 4 s.h. |
| EES:3840 | Structural Geology (Spring only) | 4 s.h. |
| EES:4790 | Applied Environmental Geology (Fall only) | 3 s.h. |
Environmental Geosciences Field Study
At least 3 s.h. from:
| EES:2831 | Geologic Field Methods (recommended) (Summer only) | 3 s.h. |
| EES:4680 | Field Methods in Hydrologic Science (Summer only) | 3 s.h. |
| GEOG:4010 | Field Methods in Physical Geography (Spring only) | 3 s.h. |
| IALL:3175 | Soil Formation and Landscape Relationships (Summer only) | 2 s.h. |
| IALL:3176 | Glacial Geomorphology (Summer only) | 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 (Fall only) | 3 s.h. |
| ENVS:3110 | Chemical Evolution of the Oceans (Every other Spring) | 3 s.h. |
| EES:1290 | Energy and the Environment (Fall only) | 3 s.h. |
| EES:3070 | Marine Ecosystems and Conservation (Spring only) | 3 s.h. |
| EES:3080 | Introduction to Oceanography (Every other Spring) | 2 s.h. |
| EES:4640 | Contaminant Hydrogeology (Spring only) | 3 s.h. |
| GEOG:3500 | Intro to Environmental Remote Sensing (Fall only) | 3 s.h. |
| EES:3190 | Directed Study (Fall and Spring) | ARR |
| EES:3380 | Fluvial Geomorphology (Every other Fall) | 3 s.h. |
| EES:3390 | Integrated Watershed Analysis (Every other Fall) | 3 s.h. |
| EES:3770 | Global Stratigraphy (Every other Spring) | 3 s.h. |
| EES:4490 | Elements of Geochemistry (Every other Fall) | 3 s.h. |
| EES:4520 | Isotope Geochemistry (Currently on hiatus) | 3 s.h. |
| EES:4720 | Paleoclimatology (Every other Spring) | 3 s.h. |
| EES:4820 | Tectonics and Basin Analysis (Every other Spring) | 3 s.h. |
| ENVS:3230 | Special Topics | 1-4 s.h. |
| GEOG:2310 | Introduction to Climatology (Fall only) | 3 s.h. |
| GEOG:2950 | Environmental Conservation (Spring only) | 3 s.h. |
| GEOG:3570 | LiDAR: Principles and Applications (Spring only) | 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 (Fall only) | 3 s.h. |
| ECON:3625 | Environmental and Nat Resource Economics (Fall only) | 3 s.h. |
| EES:1115 | The History and Science of Oil (Fall only) | 3 s.h. |
| GEOG:1070 | Contemporary Environmental Issues (Fall and Spring) | 3 s.h. |
| GEOG:3340 | Ecosystem Services: Human Dependence (Fall only) | 3 s.h. |
| GEOG:3760 | Hazards and Society (Spring only) | 3 s.h. |
| GEOG:3780 | U.S. Energy Policy in Global Context (Spring only) | 3 s.h. |
| GEOG:4770 | Environmental Justice (Fall only) | 3 s.h. |