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Earth Sciences

Earth sciences majors in the field

Discover our world!

By studying the earth sciences, you will study the planet, the processes that change our landscapes, the history of life and the interactions between environment and society. You will gain the practical and in-demand skills to collect scientific data, inform policy decisions and study the environmental impacts of things like fracking, oil and natural gas extraction, renewable resources, climate change, and more. Earth science graduates are in high demand with starting salaries ranging from $50,000 to $100,000 annually. 

AREAS OF STUDY

  • Earth History and Paleontology
  • Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology
  • Coastal, River, and Glacial Processes
  • Earth Materials and Geochemistry
  • Plate Tectonics
  • Climate Change

CAREER OPTIONS

  • Geoscientist
  • Hydrogeologist
  • Environmental Consultant
  • Exploration Geologist
  • Science Educator
  • Paleontologist
  • Disaster Scientist

GRADUATE PROGRAMS

  • Geoscience
  • Oceanography
  • Geophysics
  • Environmental Science
  • Soil Science
  • Science Education
  • Environmental Law

What’s special about this program?

Earth science students will learn about the Earth in small classes, in labs, and numerous field trips, with faculty interaction and a well-developed sense of community. You are encouraged to participate in research with faculty in areas such as hydrogeology, geobiology, water science, geochemistry, and paleoclimate. You will also have many opportunities for field courses in places of geologic significance. Recent trips have been to Death Valley and the Grand Canyon! You may also be able to benefit from the Delaware Geological Survey, a science-based state agency based at UD that conducts geologic and hydrologic research, service and exploration.

Get Involved

There are many opportunities on campus for students interested in the environment, such as serving as an EnvironMentor, going on extracurricular environmental field trips, and joining registered student organizations like Students for the Environment and the Geology Club.

Sample curriculum

 

Courses are recommendations, but subject to change year-to year. Please refer to the UD Undergraduate Catalog for a more accurate four year plan. Students should also reach out to their academic advisor for recommendations. 

ENGL 110

 

First-Year Writing 
GEOL 107

Geology of Dynamic Earth

 

 

 

Mathematics requirement
 

First Year Seminar

 

CHEM 103 and CHEM 133

 

General Chemistry and General Chemistry Laboratory

 

GEOL 110

 

Earth’s Evolving Systems
 

Foreign Language requirement

 

 

Breadth requirements

 

BISC207

Introductory Biology I

 

GEOL202

Introduction to Earth Materials

 

GEOL203

Earth Surface Processes

 

GEOL 302

Igneous and Metamorphic
Petrology

 

 

Spring Break Field Course

 

 

Breadth requirements

 

 

Foreign Language requirements 

 

 
GEOL304

Sedimentology and Stratigraphy

 

PHYS 201 and PHYS
221

Introductory Physics I and Introductory Physics Laboratory I

 

GEOL305

Structural Geology and Plate Tectonics

 

GEOL306

Geoscience Field Methods (Capstone and DLE)

 

 

Breadth requirements

 

 

Elective course

 

GEOL 307

The Earth’s History I: Paleobiology or 400-level Elective (GEOL
401 recommended (satisfies Second Writing
Requirement)

 

 

Second semseter science

 

 

Free electives

 

Go Global at UD

This major is eligible for the following programs:

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