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Earth Science at Kent State Stark

Earth Science - B.A.

Our Bachelor of Arts in Earth Science provides you with the knowledge and skills needed to understand the dynamic processes that shape our planet. With a focus on interdisciplinary learning and hands-on experiences, you will be prepared for a variety of careers in the geosciences.

This program can be completed in its entirety at Kent State Stark.

Stark Contact

Carrie E. Schweitzer, Ph.D.
Professor
Earth Sciences
023G Science & Nursing
330-244-3303
cschweit@kent.edu

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Bachelor of Arts in Earth Science

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Earth Science at Kent State University is ideal for students interested in broad interdisciplinary study of the key natural and physical processes that shape the planet, leading to potential careers in environmental or earth system fields.
 

Program Information for Earth Science - B.A.

Program Description

Program Description

Full Description

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Earth Science is ideal for students interested in broad interdisciplinary study of the key natural and physical processes that shape the planet, leading to potential careers in environmental or earth system fields. The program requires courses covering physical geology, minerals and rocks and geographic information science. Most geology courses have extensive (one-to-three-day) excursions that allow students to obtain valuable field experience.

Graduates have opportunities for employment in a wide variety of careers where an understanding of natural science is useful or critical for success. Earth science can be a strong background for advanced study or career development in areas such as business, city management, regional development, planning, law, journalism and science writing.

Admissions for Earth Science - B.A.

Admissions

Admission Requirements

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students.

First-Year Students on the Kent Campus: First-year admission policy on the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon cumulative grade point average, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends. Students not admissible to the Kent Campus may be administratively referred to one of the seven regional campuses to begin their college coursework. For more information, visit the admissions website for first-year students.

First-Year Students on the Regional Campuses: First-year admission to Kent State’s campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, as well as the Twinsburg Academic Center, is open to anyone with a high school diploma or its equivalent. For more information on admissions, contact the Regional Campuses admissions offices.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of proficiency of the English language (unless they meet specific exceptions) through the submission of an English language proficiency test score or by completing English language classes at Kent State’s English as a Second Language Center before entering their program. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.

Former Students: Former Kent State students who have not attended another institution since Kent State and were not academically dismissed will complete the re-enrollment process through the Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center. Former students who attended another college or university since leaving Kent State must apply for admissions as a transfer or post-undergraduate student.

Transfer Students: Students who attended an educational institution after graduating from high school or earning their GED must apply as transfer students. For more information, visit the admissions website for transfer students.

Admission policies for undergraduate students may be found in the University Catalog's Academic Policies.

Students may be required to meet certain criteria to progress in their program. Any progression requirements will be listed on the program's Coursework tab

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Understand and communicate to others:
    1. The nature of scientific investigation and evidence.
    2. The complex interrelationships of the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere through geologic time.
  2. Understand Earth materials and interpret geologic and environmental processes.
  3. Synthesize geologic information to understand and solve geologic and environmental problems.
  4. Demonstrate critical thinking skills.
  5. Work as a geologist in the field and laboratory.

Coursework

On This Page

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements (courses count in major GPA)
CHEM 10060GENERAL CHEMISTRY I (KBS) 4
CHEM 10062GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) 1
ESCI 11040HOW THE EARTH WORKS (KBS) 3
ESCI 11041HOW THE EARTH WORKS LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) 1
ESCI 11042EARTH AND LIFE THROUGH TIME (KBS) 3
or ESCI 21062 ENVIRONMENTAL EARTH SCIENCE (KBS)
or ESCI 21080 ALL ABOUT THE OCEANS (KBS)
ESCI 22000DEGREE AND CAREER PATHS IN EARTH SCIENCES (ELR) 1
ESCI 23063EARTH MATERIALS I 4
ESCI 31070EARTH MATERIALS II (WIC) 14
ESCI 42035DATA ANALYSIS IN THE EARTH SCIENCES 3
GEOG 49070GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE 4
MATH 11010ALGEBRA FOR CALCULUS (KMCR) 3
Earth Science (ESCI) Upper-Division Electives (30000 or 40000 level) 29
Geography (GEOG) Upper-Division Electives (30000 or 40000 level), choose from the following: 26
GEOG 31062
FUNDAMENTALS OF METEOROLOGY
GEOG 31064
CLIMATE AND THE ENVIRONMENT
GEOG 41065
DATA ANALYSIS FOR CLIMATE AND THE ENVIRONMENT
GEOG 41066
GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE
GEOG 41073
CONSERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES
GEOG 49078
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
Additional Program Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA)
UC 10001FLASHES 101 1
Foreign Language (see Foreign Language College Requirement below)10-16
Kent Core Composition6
Kent Core Humanities and Fine Arts (minimum one course from each)9
Kent Core Social Sciences (must be from two disciplines)6
General Electives (total credit hours depends on earning 120 credit hours, including 39 upper-division credit hours)42
Minimum Total Credit Hours:120
1

A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

2

Other relevant courses may be substituted in consultation with an advisor.

Graduation Requirements
Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
2.000 2.000

Foreign Language College Requirement, B.A.

Students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts degree in the College of Arts and Sciences must complete the following:

  1. Elementary I and II of any language (or equivalent) and
  2. One of the following options:
    1. Intermediate I and II of the same language
    2. Elementary I and II of a second language
    3. Any combination of two courses from the following list:
      1. Intermediate I of the same language
      2. One to two college-level course(s) completed outside the United States
      3. Courses: ARAB 21401, ASL 19401, CHIN 25421, MCLS 10001, MCLS 20001, MCLS 20091, MCLS 21417, MCLS 21420, MCLS 22217, MCLS 28403, MCLS 28404

All students with prior foreign language experience should take the foreign language placement test to determine the appropriate level at which to start. Some students may start beyond the Elementary I level and will complete the requirement with fewer courses. This may be accomplished in one of three ways:

  1. Passing a course beyond Elementary I through Intermediate II level
  2. Receiving credit through one of the alternative credit programs offered by Kent State University
  3. Demonstrating language proficiency comparable to Elementary II of a foreign language

Certain programs may require specific languages, limit the languages from which a student may choose or require coursework through Intermediate II. Students who plan to pursue graduate study may need a particular language proficiency.

Roadmap

Roadmap

Roadmap

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history. Courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
ESCI 11040 HOW THE EARTH WORKS (KBS) 3
ESCI 11041 HOW THE EARTH WORKS LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) 1
MATH 11010 ALGEBRA FOR CALCULUS (KMCR) 3
UC 10001 FLASHES 101 1
Foreign Language 4
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Two
ESCI 11042 EARTH AND LIFE THROUGH TIME (KBS) 3
ESCI 22000 DEGREE AND CAREER PATHS IN EARTH SCIENCES (ELR) 1
ESCI 42035 DATA ANALYSIS IN THE EARTH SCIENCES 3
Foreign Language 4
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours14
Semester Three
CHEM 10060 GENERAL CHEMISTRY I (KBS) 4
CHEM 10062 GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) 1
ESCI 23063 EARTH MATERIALS I 4
Foreign Language and/or General Elective 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours18
Semester Four
ESCI 31070 EARTH MATERIALS II (WIC) 4
GEOG 49070 GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE 4
Foreign Language and/or General Elective 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours14
Semester Five
Earth Science (ESCI) Upper-Division Elective (30000 or 40000 level) 3
Geography (GEOG) Upper-Division Elective (30000 or 40000 level) 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
General Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Six
Earth Science (ESCI) Upper-Division Elective (30000 or 40000 level) 3
Geography (GEOG) Upper-Division Elective (30000 or 40000 level) 3
General Electives 9
 Credit Hours15
Semester Seven
Earth Science (ESCI) Upper-Division Elective (30000 or 40000 level) 3
General Electives 12
 Credit Hours15
Semester Eight
General Electives 14
 Credit Hours14
 Minimum Total Credit Hours:120

Program Delivery

Program Delivery

  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus
    • Stark Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Earth Science - B.A.

Those who complete the Bachelor of Arts degree in Earth Science at Kent State University can benefit from specialized career opportunities in the earth sciences field.

Geological and hydrologic technicians

5.5%

faster than the average

19,000

number of jobs

$50,630

potential earnings

Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.
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