Getting Started

Information below is meant to guide first year students in getting started with this major and choosing appropriate courses. More advanced students interested in this major would also likely start with proposed foundation/pre-requisite courses. Please refer to the Major page located in the left menu bar to learn about the full major requirements.

How to Explore the Major

Suggested General Education Courses

All Undergraduates are required to satisfy the General Education Requirements. Guidelines for students, are available at www.umass.edu/gened. Students should choose a wide variety of Gen Ed courses, providing breadth of experience.

Students in Earth Systems will have most General Education Requirements completed by courses required by the major, with the exception of two: AL or AT (literature or art) and HS (history). All students must complete a DU or DG course in their first year on campus. GEOG 102 (Human Geography: Diversity, Globalization & Sustainability) fulfills this requirement.

Suggested Major and Prerequisite Courses

Required prerequisites and recommended sequence:

First Semester:
Select one from:
    GEOL 101 The Earth or
    GEOL 103 Intro to Oceanography or
    GEOL 105 Our Dynamic Earth or
    GEOG 110 Global Environmental Change
MATH 131*
CHEM 111**

Second Semester:
GEOG 102
MATH 132*
CHEM 112*

*MATH 131/132 sequence is preferred; MATH 127/128 sequence can be accepted; enrollment dependent on math placement score
**enrollment dependent on math placement score

How to Declare/Change into the Major

For current and admitted students: this major is unrestricted which means any student can declare the major. Unrestricted majors may still have an entry process such as meeting with an advisor or attending an informational meeting.

Students should speak with a Geology advisor as soon as possible. The earlier students declare the major, the greater the flexibility in course selection as juniors and seniors.

Transfer Students

Transfer Students should complete the required calculus, chemistry and physics foundation courses, and should meet with the Chief Undergraduate Advisor as soon as possible to prepare a plan of study.

Summary of Requirements for the Major

Refer to the Major page located in the left menu bar to learn more.

Students complete a minimum of 71 credits for the B.S. Earth Systems degree.

Is there a minor? If so, what are the requirements?
No – There is not currently a minor available in Earth Systems.

For further information, contact:
Professor Steven Petsch
265 Morrill IV South
545-4413
spetsch@geo.umass.edu