Program Description

The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (E&ES) at Wesleyan University covers many aspects of the natural world, on Earth and on other planets. Course topics range from active volcanoes to climate change to eco-conservation. The E&ES major is designed to prepare students for graduate school as well as provide a basis for a variety of careers in the private or public sectors. Several tracks can be followed through the major (see below), which lead to different areas of specialization and career options. Many E&ES students work with faculty on research projects that range from climate studies to active volcanoes in the Andes, from the structure of the Grand Canyon to the structure of the planet Venus, from coastal areas nearby (Long Island Sound) to lagoons far away (Vieques Island, Puerto Rico). In addition to the major program, E&ES provides a wealth of general education courses, while some of the upper-level courses may also be taken for NSM general education credit. 

Major requirements: Students pursuing a major in E&ES are expected to take one introductory course (E&ES101, E&ES106, E&ES115, E&ES197, or E&ES199), three core courses, four elective courses, and the senior seminar.  Because Earth and environmental scientists need a broad background in the natural sciences and mathematics, E&ES majors are also required to take one year (two semesters) of two other science/mathematics courses, a total of four semesters.

Introductory and general education courses: 

• E&ES101* Dynamic Earth
• E&ES106* Introduction to Oceanography
• E&ES110  Global Warming
• E&ES115* Introduction to Planetary Geology
• E&ES151  The Planets
• E&ES154  Volcanoes of the World
• E&ES155  Hazardous Earth
• E&ES160  Forensic Geology
• E&ES197* Introduction to Environmental Studies
• E&ES199* Introduction to Environmental Science

  *Gateway courses for the major

 Core courses (and associated labs)

• E&ES213/215 Mineralogy/Laboratory Study of Minerals
• E&ES220/222 Geomorphology/Geomorphology Laboratory
• E&ES223/225 Structural Geology/Field Geology
• E&ES230/232 Sedimentology/Stratigraphy Techniques
• E&ES233/229 Geobiology/Geobiology Laboratory
• E&ES280/281 Environmental Geochemistry/Environmental Geochemistry Laboratory
• E&ES290/292 Oceans and Climate/Techniques in Ocean and Climate Investigations

 Elective courses

• E&ES302 Astrobiology
• E&ES305/307 Soils/Soils Laboratory
• E&ES306 Tropical Ecology and the Environment
• E&ES312 Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems
• E&ES314/316 Hot Rocks--Petrogenesis of Igneous and Metamorphic Rocks/Lab Study of Igneous and Metamorphic Rocks
• E&ES317 Hydrology
• E&ES320 Quantitative Methods for the Biological and Environmental Sciences
• E&ES322 Introduction to GIS
• E&ES323 Isotope Geochemistry: Tracers of Environmental Processes
• E&ES326/328 Remote Sensing/Remote Sensing Laboratory
• E&ES359 Global Climate Change
• E&ES380/381 Volcanology/Volcanology Lab Course

 Capstone course

• E&ES397 Senior Seminar, with an optional field trip E&ES398

In addition to a minimum of four 200-300 level Wesleyan University E&ES courses, up to two upper-level science or math courses taken in other departments may count toward the E&ES major as electives, and two E&ES courses may be imported from study-abroad programs.

Study Tracks and Career Options in the E&ES major: The Earth and Environmental Sciences major provides several pathways that prepare students for different careers. These tracks are meant as guidelines to create a major that suits a student’s long-term interests rather than fixed pathways. E&ES majors go on to pursue a wide range of careers, limited only by their own imaginations. Students interested in academic or research careers should consider involvement in research or producing a senior thesis. 

• Geology. The geology track may lead to academic careers or jobs in industry or government in natural resource or geohazard management (e.g., USGS, water resources, mining and energy industries). 

  • E&ES101 Dynamic Earth

  • E&ES115 Introduction to Planetary Geology
  • E&ES213/215 Mineralogy/Laboratory Study of Minerals
  • E&ES220/222 Geomorphology/Geomorphology Laboratory
  • E&ES223/225 Structural Geology/Field Geology
  • E&ES290/292 Oceans & Climate/Techniques in Ocean and Climate Investigations
  • E&ES314/316 Hot Rocks--Petrogenesis of Igneous and Metamorphic Rocks/Lab Study of Igneous and Metamorphic Rocks
  • E&ES317 Hydrology
  • E&ES322 Introduction to GIS and Laboratory
  • E&ES326/328 Remote Sensing/Remote Sensing Laboratory
  • E&ES380/381 Volcanology/Volcanology Lab Course
  • E&ES397/398 Senior Seminar/Senior Field Research Project
  • E&ES471 Planetary Geology Seminar

• Environmental Science/Environmental Chemistry. The environmental science/geochemistry track may lead to jobs in consulting, government, or nonprofit organizations  (e.g. EPA, NOAA, USGS, state agencies) or academic careers in climate science and water resources. 

  • E&ES197 Introduction to Environmental Studies
  • E&ES199 Introduction to Environmental Science
  • E&ES213/215 Mineralogy/Laboratory Study of Minerals
  • E&ES220/222 Geomorphology/Geomorphology Laboratory
  • E&ES223/225 Structural Geology/Field Geology
  • E&ES233/229 Geobiology/Geobiology Laboratory
  • E&ES280/281 Environmental Geochemistry/Environmental Geochemistry Laboratory
  • E&ES290/292 Oceans & Climate/Techniques in Ocean and Climate Investigations
  • E&ES302 Astrobiology
  • E&ES305/307 Soils/Soils Laboratory
  • E&ES320 Quantitative Methods for Biological and Environmental Sciences
  • E&ES322 Introduction to GIS
  • E&ES323 Isotope Geochemistry
  • E&ES359 Global Climate Change
  • E&ES397/398 Senior Seminar/Senior Field Research Project

• Environmental Science/Ecology. The environmental science ecology track may lead to jobs in government, consulting, and nonprofit organizations (e.g., U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, state conservation agencies, Nature Conservancy, National Audubon Society), or academic careers in conservation and natural resource management).

  • E&ES197 Introduction to Environmental Studies
  • E&ES199 Introduction to Environmental Science
  • E&ES233/229 Geobiology/Geobiology Laboratory
  • E&ES280/281 Environmental Geochemistry/Environmental Geochemistry Laboratory
  • E&ES290/292 Oceans & Climate/Techniques in Ocean and Climate Investigations
  • E&ES305/307 Soils/Soils Laboratory
  • E&ES306 Tropical Ecology and the Environment
  • E&ES312 Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems
  • E&ES320 Quanitative Methods for the Biological and Environmental Sciences
  • E&ES322 Introduction to GIS
  • E&ES323 Isotope Geochemistry
  • E&ES326/328 Remote Sensing/Remote Sensing Laboratory
  • E&ES359 Global Climate Change
  • E&ES397/398 Senior Seminar/Senior Field Research Project

• Planetary Geology. The planetary geology track may lead to jobs in government and industry (e.g., NASA, remote sensing and GIS contractors), or academic careers in space science and remote sensing.

  • E&ES101 Dynamic Earth
  • E&ES115 Introduction to Planetary Geology
  • E&ES213/215 Mineralogy/Laboratory Study of Minerals
  • E&ES220/222 Geomorphology/Geomorphology Laboratory
  • E&ES223/225 Structural Geology/Field Geology
  • E&ES302 Astrobiology
  • E&ES314/316 Hot Rocks--Petrogenesis of Igneous and Metamorphic Rocks/Lab Study of Igneous and Metamorphic Rocks
  • E&ES322 Introduction to GIS
  • E&ES326/328 Remote Sensing/Remote Sensing Laboratory
  • E&ES380/381 Volcanology/Volcanology Lab Course
  • E&ES397/398 Senior Seminar/Senior Field Research Project
  • E&ES471 Planetary Geology Seminar

• Environmental Studies Certificate Program. The environmental studies track (taken with a suitable major) provides a linkage between the sciences, public policy, and economics and provides a wide variety of career options. See http://www.wesleyan.edu/escp for a program description.

Last updated: July 14, 2009.

Contact wesmaps@wesleyan.edu to submit comments or suggestions. 

Copyright Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, 06459