Earth Sciences

The department offers the Bachelor of Science degree in Earth Sciences which may be earned in any one of five options (geography, geology, geohydrology, snow science, and paleontology). Each option tabulated below requires courses from within the Department of Earth Sciences and courses outside the department. Some of the courses fulfill both department requirements and University Core Curriculum requirements. Academic minors are offered in Spatial Analysis/GIS and Earth Science Teaching.

The Department also offers a Master of Science Degree and Doctor of Philosophy in Earth Sciences. Thesis and course work for this graduate degree usually emphasize some aspect of geology or geography, with specific course and research plans approved by a graduate committee. The department collaborates with the interdisciplinary Master of Science in Land Rehabilitation and with the Big Sky Institute.

Geography Option

The Geography Option offers students a liberal university education with an emphasis in geography. The student, with the help of an adviser, is given the opportunity to develop a program to meet his or her own particular interests and needs. The option provides the general education as well as the more specialized knowledge and skills necessary to pursue many career objectives. Geographers find professional opportunities in urban and land use planning, locational analysis in the public and private sector, area studies analysis, resource and environmental management, as well as the application of geographical skills in cartography, remote sensing, and geographical information systems (GIS). Geography also offers an outstanding background for more advanced education in environmental law, international business, resource planning, and other specialized graduate school opportunities.

The Geography Option introduces students to lower division course work in world regional, physical, and human geography. These courses emphasize the importance of spatial relationships, the global distributions of physical and cultural phenomena, the complex interplay between natural and human systems, and the factors contributing to the evolution of the earth's varied landscapes. In addition, advanced skills courses and a capstone course prepare the student for applying their training in employment settings and/or graduate school. Finally, students in the option will also select a minor in another department or an emphasis in Physical or Human Geography. The two emphases provide a choice of courses outside of Geography designed to complement their training within the curriculum.

The Geographic Information and Analysis Center is housed in the department and offers a range of workstation and personal computer facilities for the classroom and research uses, including specialized systems for GIS, cartography, remote sensing, and statistical analysis. These facilities serve many of the classes in the GIS Minor and serve as a gateway to the rapidly expanding number and variety of maps and images that are distributed in digital formats. The center sponsors a collaborative undergraduate research program with the Undergraduate Scholars Program and regularly employs graduate student and undergraduate research assistants.

Geology Option

The Geology Option is a rigorous scientific degree program designed for those students who are motivated to apply the principles of chemistry, physics, and mathematics to the study of the Earth's interior and surface. The Geology Option is based on a solid and broad-based foundation of course work from geology and the other physical sciences, in addition to mathematics, statistics, computer science, and the humanities. The geology faculty strive to give students as much hands-on, field-based instruction as possible, taking advantage of the tremendous natural laboratory that surrounds Bozeman. The optimal degree for employment and advancement in the geological sciences in the private sector is the Master's Degree, and the undergraduate Geology Option is an excellent preparatory degree for advanced graduate studies.

In the Geology Option, students progress through a broad-based core of courses that includes introductory geology, mineralogy, igneous petrology, metamorphic petrology, sedimentary petrology, historical geology, sedimentation and stratigraphy, structural geology, geomorphology, undergraduate seminar, earth science writing, and a summer field course. These courses are integrated to build scientific problem solving skills throughout the four-year program, based on developing skills in 1) observation (Freshman level), 2) description (Sophomore level), 3) interpretation (Junior level), and 4) integration of knowledge (Senior level). Elective courses in geology permit students to focus on areas of interest such as geochemistry, tectonics, paleontology, hydrology, volcanology, and others. This course work, coupled with that in the allied sciences and mathematics, is thorough preparation for post-graduate employment or graduate school.

Geologists have traditionally been employed to assist in the discovery and extraction of natural resources such as precious metals, base metals, petroleum, coal, water, and other commodities used in everyday life. In the past decade, employment in the geological sciences has shifted from these traditional extractive industries to those involved with environmental clean-up and containment of environmental hazards, mitigation of future environmental problems, preservation of water resources (both surface and ground water), and human impacts on natural systems that sustain life on this planet. In addition, there are growing opportunities for employment in the public and private sectors in geological engineering, earthquake seismology (including earthquake and volcanic risk assessment in populated regions, such as the U.S. west coast), land use and development, climate change, and other areas where the ever-increasing human population comes into conflict with natural earth processes. Although people will continue to use raw materials from the earth, it is clear that environmental and societal issues will influence career opportunities in the geological sciences in future years.

The department has strong collaborative ties with the Museum of the Rockies, which allows students to explore the history of life through extensive fossil collections. Montana is known throughout the world for its prolific and scientifically important dinosaur fossils. Although much of this paleontological research is at the graduate level, undergraduate students may earn credits through course work, senior thesis projects, internships, volunteer work for the Museum, and other opportunities.

Geohydrology Option

The Geohydrology option is designed for students interested in the interrelationships between ground water, surface water, people, and earth. A graduate in this option is prepared for a career emphasizing pollution mitigation, hazardous waste disposal, environmental impact assessment, water resource development, and fundamental research in surface or ground water hydrology. Prospective employers include local, state, and federal research or regulatory agencies; consulting firms; and hydrologic or environmental divisions of major corporations. Many students find it to their advantage to undertake graduate work prior to permanent employment.

The required course work is similar to that in geology but develops a more quantitative foundation. The program prepares a student for graduate-level work in quantitative hydrology. Selection of approximately fifteen elective courses from one of nine disciplines outside Earth Sciences develops additional expertise in a water-related discipline of interest to the student.

Snow Science Option

Snow. You can play in it, drive in it, shovel it, melt it to drink it or irrigate with it, be killed by it, or dig a cave and survive in it. The snow program in the Department of Earth Sciences provides a foundation for understanding the distribution of snow (geography), mechanics of snow (physics,engineering), composition of snow (chemistry), variability of snow (statistics) and effects of snow (ecology,hydrology). As such, the snow program is a strong technical undergraduate programs in the world for environmental scientists or lawyers. It is also one of the best preprofessional programs in the world for those who will carry their interests in snow into a professional career.

The Snow Science option is based on a solid and broad-based foundation of course work from geography, mathematics, statistics, chemistry and physics. There are two emphasis in the option. One focuses on biology and geographic information systems. One focuses on snow mechanics. The program prepares you to work in a variety of snow-related areas including avalanche forecasting, water resource planning, snow-melt hydrology, land-use planning, and snow engineering. You are strongly encouraged to consider a graduate degree in snow science to prepare for professional jobs, but such training is not always required.

In the Snow Science Option, you progress through a broadbased core of courses that includes introductory geology and geography, calculus, chemistry, physics, statistics, weather and climate, geomorphology, glacial geology, and mountain geology. In addition, you focus on one of two areas which prepares you to work in snow. One is snow biology and geographic information systems which prepares you in the area of biogeography, ecology and spatial analysis of factors important to snow distribution, the interaction between snow plants and amimals, snow melt, and the spatial analysis of factors which influence the spatial distribution of snow or snow avalanche factors. The other emphasis is related to snow mechanics and prepares you to study the mechanics of snow as it relates to transportation, avalanche release, and the impact of snow on buildings due to loading or avalanche impact. The capstone course is snow dynamics and accumulation. These courses are integrated to build scientific problem solving skills throughout the four-year program.

Paleontology Option

The paleontology option in the Department of Earth Sciences is designed for those students who have a strong interest in either invertebrate or vertebrate fossil organisms and combines training in geology and biology. The paleontology option builds on courses that form the core of the traditional geology option, while providing strong background in paleontology through four required courses (including the paleontology field course) and two elective courses. All of the paleontology courses offered through the department provide upper division credits. The paleontology option focuses on understanding fossils within their geologic context, while Montana's geology provides the opportunity for hands-on fieldwork. Course work provides scientific background for those seeking employment with natural history museums (e.g. fossil preparation, collection, curation, exhibit design, education), land agencies, and parks. Graduate training beyond the bachelor's degree is considered essential for those seeking careers in the petroleum industry (normally a master's degree) or in teaching and/or research (typically a doctorate).

Undergraduate Research Participation

Research opportunities are available to undergraduate students who demonstrate the interest and ability. Senior-level students may enroll in ESCI 490 (Undergraduate Thesis), which provides the opportunity to participate in a research project under the guidance of a faculty member. Successful completion of ESCI 490 credits requires that the student write a senior thesis report and orally present and defend the results in a public forum, such as an annual conference of a professional society. Collaborative opportunities exist with the university's Undergraduate Scholars Program.

Departmental Honors in Earth Sciences

The Department of Earth Sciences awards Departmental Honors at graduation to students who demonstrate exceptional undergraduate performance through the following criteria: 1) a minimum 3.5 grade-point average (GPA) in the major; 2) a minimum 3.0 GPA overall; 3) completion of at least 4 credits of undergraduate research with a grade of "B" or better; and 4) completion of a Senior Thesis (ESCI 490)--written, bound, and orally presented and defended by the last day of classes prior to graduation.

Curricula in Earth Sciences

• Geography Option
• Geology Option
• Geohydrology Option
• Snow Science Option
• Paleontology Option
• GIS Minor (Non-Teaching)
• Water Resources Minor (Non-Teaching)

GEOGRAPHY OPTION

Some courses listed below are offered alternate years. A student's course sequence may differ from that shown depending upon the date the student enters the program and the availability of courses.

Students, in consultation with their Earth Science advisor, must also select a minor from a minor tabulated in the catalog or one of the emphases listed below.

The advisor-approved upper division electives (minimum 9 credits) will be selected from course offerings in Anthropology, Economics, History, Native American Studies, Political Science, Sociology, as well as Earth Science, Geology, and Geography (1 course only). The courses used here cannot be used to fulfill the other course requirements in the Geography Option.

The advisor-approved upper division courses (minimum 12 credits) will be selected from course offerings in the Animal and Range Science, Biology, Civil Engineering, Entomology, and Land Resources and Environmental Sciences, as well as Earth Science, Geology, and Geography (1 course only). The courses used here cannot be used to fulfill the other course requirements in the Geography Option.

A minimum of 120 credits is required for graduation; 42 of these credits must be in courses numbered 300 and above.

GEOHYDROLOGY OPTION

Some courses listed below are offered in alternate years. A student's course sequence may differ from that shown depending upon the date the student enters.

Students may find time within their four-year and one summer course of study to take the Water Resources Minor or one of the following secondary subject mater concentrations: Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Earth Sciences, Geographic Information, Mathematics/Statistics, Microbiology, Range Water, Soil Water, Water Biology, or Water Policy. More complete listings of the secondary subject matter concentration course recommendations may be obtained from the Earth Sciences Geohyrdology checking sheet available in 200 Traphagen Hall.

A minimum of 120 credits is required for graduation; 42 of these credits must be in courses numbered 300 and above.

GEOLOGY OPTION

Some courses listed below are offered in alternate years. A student's course sequence may differ from that shown depending upon the date the student enters.

A minimum of 120 credits is required for graduation; 42 of these credits must be in courses numbered 300 and above.

Students may choose one emphasis within the Geology Option, but are not required to do so. The two optional emphases are: 1) the Active Geologic Processes and Hazards Emphasis and 2) the Crystallography, Mineralology and Earth Materials Emphasis.

Students taking either emphasis must fulfill all the requirements of the Geology Option. Students in the Active Geologic Processes and Hazards Emphasis must take the following five courses. The four upper level courses may be used for their upper level electives requirement in the Geology Option.

Students in the Crystallography, Mineralology and Earth Materials emphasis must take the following courses in addition to those required in the Geology Option.

SNOW SCIENCE OPTION

COURSES REQUIRED IN DEPARTMENT

SELECT ONE OF THE FOLLOWING TWO EMPHASIS

SNOW BIOLOGY AND GIS

SNOW MECHANICS

PALEONTOLOGY OPTION

COURSES REQUIRED IN DEPARTMENT

UPPER DIVISION PALEONTOLOGY COURSE ELECTIVES

REQUIRED COURSES

*Students may take the paleontology field course in two-week increments over three summers, or take all six weeks during one summer. If taken at once, students should take the field course between their junior and senior years. The geology field course(GEOL 432C)may substitute for the paleontology field course.

IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT STUDENTS TAKE AT LEAST TWO OF THE FOLLOWING FOUR COURSES

A minimum of 120 credits is required for graduation; 42 of these credits must be in courses numbered 300 or above.

GIS MINOR (NON-TEACHING)

Not available to Geography majors

The three advisor-approved upper division courses (minimum 9 credits) can be made up with GIS-based upper division special topics (individual problems, undergraduate research, internships, senior thesis, etc.) or course offerings in computer science and mathematics.

WATER RESOURCES MINOR (NON-TEACHING)

The Water Resources Minor is designed to encourage a student from any discipline to explore water resources beyond course work in their major. As a result, the minor includes courses from the College of Agriculture, the College of Engineering, and the College of Letters and Science. The minor is administered by a board with the following representatives: Brian McGlynn (Agriculture and Outreach), Michael Brody (Education), Otto Stein (Engineering), Jerry Johnson (Letters and Science), and Steve Custer (Letters and Science). Any board member may serve as an advisor for the minor. The chair of the board serves as the curriculum review officer.

The minor is composed of water policy and water science courses. Each student must take a minimum of two courses from the Water Management and Policy Group, two courses from the Water Science and Technology Group, and two additional courses from either list. All students are required to take ARNR 456, which must be taken in addition to the two required courses in Water Management and Policy. Up to six credits of 470, 476, or 490 from any rubric, which are related to water science or policy in the judgement of the minor advisor may be used as part of the minor. No more than twelve credits may be used to simultaneously fulfill both Water Resources Minor requirements and University Core or requirements for the student's major. Course substitutions are allowed only by appeal to and approval by the Water Resources Minor Administrative Board and should be sent to the Chair of the Board (Steve Custer, Earth Sciences) after review by one of the advisors. The written appeal should identify the substitution and present a brief rationale. The Water Resources Minor requires a minimum of 21 credits.