The earth sciences have never been more critical to society than they are today.The Science of Earth Systems (SES) major is an undergraduate major centered in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and is offered to students in the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Engineering and Agricultural and Life Sciences. The SES major is intrinsically interdisciplinary, involving many branches of science and engineering. The SES program is unique in that it incorporates fundamentals of earth science with the emergence of a new and more complete approach, encompassing all components of the earth system—air, life, rock and water—to gain a new and more comprehensive understanding of the world as we know it. Students may chose to focus on one of a number of disciplinary specialties such as geophysics or tectonics, or develop the broad expertise needed to understand the interactions between the diverse elements of earth and life in the past, present and future. SES graduates will be able to seek careers dealing with energy, mineral and water resources, natural hazards, weather and climate forecasting, ocean resources; and a host of environmental issues through employment in academia, government and the private sector. The major also prepares students for careers in environmental management and policy, law or medicine, science journalism and K-12 science education.
Resources for Majors, Minors, and Prospective Students:
Science of Earth Systems Handbook
Science of Earth Systems Student Association
Information on Careers and Graduate Schools
Major Requirements:
Requirements for the Science of Earth Systems (SES) major in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS). For further information about the Science of Earth Systems major and concentrations, see the Science of Earth Systems Handbook or contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies for the Science of Earth Systems major, Professor Natalie Mahowald (nmm63@cornell.edu).
In addition to the requirements listed below, students must complete general requirements specific to their college. Students should visit their college's advising center for more information.
| Major: Science of Earth Systems | |||
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Prerequisites for Admission to the Major*An understanding of the Earth requires a strong grounding in math and the basic physical and biological sciences. The requirements described below are the minimum requirements for the major. Students anticipating graduate study or careers in the earth sciences are strongly urged to complete additional math and basic sciences courses relevant to their concentration. * Students must be in good standing with their college and receive a C- or better in all prerequisite courses to be admitted to the major. Students still completing the prerequisites can be admitted to the major provisionally. | |||
| Mathematics |
At least two courses in calculus: MATH 1110 + MATH 1120 OR MATH 1910 + MATH 1920.
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| Physics |
At least two courses in calculus-based physics: PHYS 2207 + PHYS 2208 OR PHYS 1112 + PHYS 2213.
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Chemistry |
At least two courses in chemistry: CHEM 2070 OR CHEM 2090 + CHEM 2080 OR CHEM 1570.
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| Biology | At least one course in biology: BIOG 1140 OR BIOEE 1610 OR BIOEE 1780 OR BIOSM 1610.
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| Advisor-Approved Course in Math, Statistics, Computer Science, or Natural Science |
An advisor-approved course in statistics or computer science, or an additional advisor-approved course in mathematics or natural science, including, but not limited to, a course in astronomy, a second course in biology, or an additional course in physics or chemistry.
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Major Requirements** Students must receive a C- or better in all major required courses and take all major required courses for a letter grade. | |||
| Introduction | EAS 2200 The Earth System
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Core Courses |
At least three of the four core courses listed below:
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Concentration Courses |
Four concentration-appropriate EAS courses at the 3000-level or above (or three EAS courses + 1 approved alternative course) | ||
Field Experience(> 3 credits) |
A concentration-appropriate field course such as:
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Additional Required Courses(For Students in the College of Engineering Only) |
Students in the College of Engineering must also take a major approved elective at the 3000-level or above.
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For the SES major's Goals and Learning Outcomes, please click on the following link: http://www.geo.cornell.edu/eas/PeoplePlaces/Faculty/mahowald/Web/Science%20of%20Earth%20Systems%20Goals%20and%20Learning%20Outcomes.htm
A minor in Science of Earth Systems is available to all undergraduates except those majoring in Science of Earth Systems. There are two options for satisfying the minor requirements:
Option 1:
At least 18 credits, chosen as follows:
1. Required introductory course:
EAS 2200 The Earth System
2. At least two selections from the following core courses:
EAS 3010 Evolution of the Earth System
EAS 3030 Introduction to Biogeochemistry
EAS 3040 Interior of the Earth
EAS 3050 Climate Dynamics
3. Additional EAS courses at the 3000 level or higher
Please note that some of these courses have introductory math and science courses as prerequisites.
Option 2:
At least 18 credits, chosen as follows:
1. Required introductory course:
EAS 2200 The Earth System
2. Completion of the Cornell University Earth and Environmental Systems Field Program In Hawaii
Please note that some of these courses have introductory math and science courses as prerequisites.
Academic Standards
At least C- in each course in the minor and an average GPA > 2.0 in all courses in the minor.
Concentrations:
Concentration courses build depth and provide the student with specific expertise in some facet of earth system science. Four concentrations are defined for the major: Atmospheric Sciences, Biogeochemistry, Geological Sciences, and Ocean Sciences. Students also have the option of designing their own concentration tailored to their interests in concert with their advisor and upon approval of the SES Curriculum Committee. Examples of self-designed concentrations include Sustainable Earth and Environmental Systems, Geohydrology, Planetary Science, and Soil Science.
For further information about the Science of Earth Systems major requirements and concentrations, see the Science of Earth Systems Handbook or contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies for the Science of Earth Systems major, Professor Natalie Mahowald (nmm63@cornell.edu).
Click here to declare your concentration!
Atmospheric Sciences |
Biogeochemistry
and related fields |
Geological Sciences |
Ocean Sciences |
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Required Courses: 4 courses at the 3000-level or above--see examples below |
Required Courses: 4 courses at the 3000-level or above--see examples below |
Required Courses: 4 courses at the 3000-level or above--see examples below |
Required Courses: 4 courses at the 3000-level or above--see examples below |
| Courses in Atmospheric Physics, such as EAS 3410 and EAS 4470 |
Courses in Biogeochemistry, such as EAS 3220*, EAS 4800 and BIOEE 3690 | Mineralogy (EAS 4530) |
Courses in Physical Oceanography, such as EAS 3530 |
| Courses in Atmospheric Chemistry, such as EAS 4570 and EAS 4800 | Courses in Organismic Biology and Paleobiology, such as EAS 4790, BIOEE 3710, and BIOPL 4480 | Petrology and Geochemistry (EAS 4540) | Courses in Geological Oceanography, such as EAS 4600 |
| Courses in Atmospheric Dynamics, such as EAS 3420, EAS 3520, and EAS 4560 | Courses in Geomicrobiology and Soils, such as BIOMI 3970, BIOSM 3080, and CSS 4660 | Structural Geology (EAS 4260) | Courses in Biological Oceanography, such as EAS 3500, EAS 3510, and EAS 4620. |
| Courses in Climatology, such as EAS 3340, and EAS 4610 | Courses in Ecosystems, such as EAS 3500, EAS 4620, BEE 3710, BIOEE 4580 and NTRES 3220 | Global Geophysics (EAS 4880) | Courses in SEA Semester or courses at Shoals Marine Laboratory. |
| Courses in Radar Application, such as EAS 4840, and EAS 4870 |
Courses in Environmental Sciences, such as EAS 4710, and EAS 4830 |
Stratigraphy (EAS 4780) or Sedimentary Basins (EAS 4760) |
Courses in Ocean Engineering, such as CEE 4350 |
* Part of the Earth and Environmental Systems Field Program in Hawaii.
Concentration-Appropriate Field Courses
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•Meteorological Observations and Instruments (EAS 2500) |
• Field Study of the Earth System (EAS 3400)* |
• Field Mapping in Argentina (EAS 4170) • Field Study of the Earth System (EAS 3400)* |
• Field Study of the Earth System (EAS 3400)* • A course at Shoals Marine Laboratory • A course in SEA Semester |
* Part of the Earth and Environmental Systems Field Program in Hawaii.