Getting Started

College: CNS

Department of Earth, Geographic & Climate Sciences

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 Science will have many General Education Requirements completed by courses required by this major.

Suggested Major and Prerequisite Courses

Required prerequisites and recommended sequence:

First Semester:
Select one from:
GEOGRAPH 110 Intro to Climate Science
    GEOL 101 The Earth or
    GEOL 103 Intro to Oceanography or
    GEOL 105 Our Dynamic Earth
MATH 127 or MATH 131*
CHEM 111*

Second Semester:
GEOGRAPH 102 Intro to Human Geography
MATH 132*
CHEM 112*

*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, Chief Undergraduate Advisor
Department of Earth, Geographic & Climate Sciences
Office: 265 Morrill 4-South
Email: spetsch@umass.edu
Phone: (413) 545-4413
Website: http://www.geo.umass.edu/programs/undergraduate/geology