Department of the Earth Sciences

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Department of the Earth Sciences

317 Lennon Hall
(585) 395-2636, FAX (585) 395-2416
www.esc.brockport.edu
E-mail: lmulley@brockport.edu

Chairperson and Associate Professor: James A. Zollweg; Associate Professors: Whitney J. Autin, Judy A. Massare, Jose A. Maliekal, Mark R. Noll; Assistant Professors: Paul L. Richards, Scott M. Rochette; Instructor: Steve Weinbeck.

• Geology
• Meteorology
• Water resources
• Earth Science
• Courses

Directly or indirectly, beneficially or adversely, humanity affects and is affected by the physical processes occurring within the earth system, which encompasses the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the land that sustains us. The sphere of knowledge known as the earth sciences includes the study of all physical aspects of the earth system, including how its composition, properties, resources, and processes change over time. By applying physical, chemical, mathematical, and biological principles, earth scientists strive to enhance the understanding of the earth system so that humanity is better prepared to properly use its resources, and anticipate, detect, and mitigate the adverse impacts of its processes.

Students who major in geology, meteorology, or water resources focus their study on the geologic, atmospheric, or hydrologic components of the earth’s environment. They also study the interrelationships between these environments, enabling them to expand the breadth of their expertise. In contrast, students who major in earth science acquire a broadly based and integrated understanding of the knowledge and methodologies of geology, meteorology, and hydrology. Regardless of the academic major, the departmental curricula render science accessible, relevant, and meaningful to students. Students are also afforded the opportunity to explore and discover the processes and interactions occurring within the earth system through research with faculty assistance.

Academic majors: earth science, geology, meteorology, and water resources.

Academic minors: earth science, geology, meteorology, and the interdisciplinary communications meteorology.

Major in Geology

Geology majors must earn a minimum of 42 credits in required core courses and complete two semesters each of physics, calculus and chemistry. This major offers sound training in the study of the earth and its resources, and equips the student for graduate studies in geochemistry, petroleum exploration, paleontology, hydrogeology, ground water, environmental geology, or sedimentology/stratigraphy. It also provides a strong background in geology for those who seek employment at the bachelor’s level, e.g., as a laboratory or environmental technician, in regulatory agencies, and as field geologists.

Note: ESC and GEL courses other than the designated electives may NOT be taken as credit toward the geology major without written departmental approval. To make normal progress toward the degree, GEL 201 and 302, and ESC 350 and 391, physics, calculus and college chemistry should be completed before entering the junior year. ESC 493 should be taken in the senior year. Most required courses are taught once every two years.

A career as a professional geologist requires knowledge of all the natural sciences. Students who intend to pursue graduate studies should consider a minor in chemistry, physics, mathematics, or biology, depending on their specific field of interest within geology. Recommended supporting courses include:

• ESC 200 Introduction to Oceanography
• ESC 230 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems(GIS)
• ESC 351 Lab Experiences in Scientific Programming
• ESC 412 Hydrology
• ESC 418 Watershed Science
• ESC 431 Environmental Aplications of GIS
• CHM 303 Analytic Chemistry
• CHM 305 Organic Chemistry I
• BIO 436 Water Quality Analysis
• BIO 419 Limnology
• MTH 203 Calculus III

Minor in Geology
Eighteen credits are required and must include: GEL 201 Introduction to Physical Geology, and GEL 302 Historical Geology, and other courses as advised.

Major in Meteorology

Meteorology majors must earn a minimum of 41 credits in required core courses, complete one year of college-level physics with lab, two semesters of calculus, differential equations, and chemistry. Additional supporting work in the sciences and mathematics is strongly recommended.

This major prepares students for careers in weather forecasting, atmospheric research, environmental consulting and air quality management. The strong physical science orientation of the program allows students to compete in related fields, such as environmental and computer science, hydrology, and alternative energy utilization. The major meets the federal guidelines for meteorologists, enabling graduates to begin careers in federal, state, and private employment.

ESC 350 and 391 should be taken by the end of the sophomore year.
ESC 493 should be taken in the senior year.

Be aware that most required courses are offered once every two years.

Additional mathematics, computer science, or science courses are recommended, depending on individual goals. In some cases, these may be applied toward the major with written departmental approval. Recommended supporting courses, outside of meteorology, include:

• CHM 206 College Chemistry II
• CSC 203 Fundamentals of Computer Science I
• CSC 205 Fundamentals of Computer Science II
• MTH 203 Calculus III
• MTH 281 Discrete Mathematics I
• MTH 346 Probability and Statistics I
• MTH 471 Numerical Analysis
• PHS 300 Classical Physics
• PHS 301 Mathematical Methods of Physics
• PHS 302 Dynamical Systems

Minor in Meteorology
Eighteen credits are required, to be selected from the ESC courses required for the meteorology major; includes ESC 211 (or its equivalent) and 311.

Minor in Communications Meteorology
The interdisciplinary communications meteorology minor is described elsewhere in this catalog.

Major in Water Resources

Water resources majors must earn a minimum of 43 credits in required core courses. Additional requirements are two semesters each of calculus, college chemistry with lab, and college physics with lab.

This major prepares students for careers in hydrology, resource management, and pollution control; the course of study includes most courses recommended for federal employment as a hydrologist. The major is offered to meet the growing demand for hydrologists and other water resources professionals by federal, state, and local government agencies; private sector environ- mental and consulting firms; and industrial and educational institutions.

ESC 350, ESC 391, physics, calculus and college chemistry, should be taken by the end of the sophomore year.
ESC 493 should be taken in the senior year.
Be aware that most required courses are offered once every two years.

The study of hydrology and water resources depends strongly on skills and knowledge from physics, chemistry, geology, meteorology, mathematics, and computer science. A professional career in water resources is supported by additional course work in these disciplines. Recommended supporting courses outside of water resources include:

• BIO 303 Ecology
• BIO 422 Pollution Biology
• CHM 303 Analytical Chemistry I
• CHM 305­306 Organic Chemistry I and II
• ESC 200 Introduction to Oceanography
• ESC 311 Synoptic Meteorology
• ESC 420 Atmospheric Sensing Methods
• ESC 431 GIS Applications in Earth and Environmental Science
• GEL 363 Environmental Geology
• MTH 255 Differential Equations
• PLS 466 Environmental Politics

Major in Earth Science

Earth science majors must earn a minimum of 32 core and elective credits and an additional 19 credits in related lab sciences and mathematics. The core and elective courses that constitute the curriculum of this interdisciplinary major embody the knowledge base and methodologies of geology (solid earth and its resources), meteorology (the atmosphere and its movement), and hydrology (water and its cycling through the environment). As such, this major offers a flexible and broadly based program of study that is well suited for students who are preparing for school teaching (elementary, or secondary), or planning for a career in environmental regulation, resource management, or park service. By supplementing the major-related coursework with additional electives, or an appropriate minor, a student may structure her/his study toward a special interest area, such as journalism, technical writing, business, or graduate study in geography, resource management, urban planning, or museum science.

Please note: ESC 350 and 391 should be taken by the end of the sophomore year. ESC 493 should be taken in the senior year.
Many electives are offered only once every two years.
1An upper-division course from the major requirements corresponding to that elective area may be substituted with written permission, i.e. another course required for the geology major may be used in place of GEL 302, 363, or 312.

Minor in Earth Science
Eighteen credits are required, and must include ESC 200 and 211, and GEL 201.

Policy on Majors and Minors in the Earth Sciences
Majors within the Department of the Earth Sciences are strongly encouraged to have second majors or major/minor combinations with chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics or computer sciences rather than within the department. Courses applied towards fulfilling the major cannot also be applied to a minor within the department. Where the same courses are required for both the major and minor, the minor work must be 18 credits beyond those commonly required credits.

Earth Sciences Courses

Geology Courses