Earth and Environmental Sciences majors study the geologic, hydrologic, atmospheric, and biotic systems that make up our dynamic Earth, emphasizing local and global interactions between these systems in the present and over deep time. The major is well-suited for students interested in the natural world, and provides ample opportunities for hands-on learning and research, including faculty research, field-based courses, Ashton Prairie Living Laboratory, Lakeside Laboratory, and numerous multi-day field trips. You can learn more about this and other environmental-focused programs from the School of Earth, Environment, and Sustainability.
Review the responsibilities required to become and remain eligible for the 2 Plus 2 Guaranteed Graduation Plan.
- Complete the World Language requirement through one of the following pathways. The requirement may be satisfied through high school coursework:
- Fourth level of a single world language
- Third level plus a world language and cultural exploration course
- Second level of two languages
- In consultation with an advisor, select one chemistry sequence:
- CHM 110 Introduction to Chemistry
CHM 132 Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry
-- OR --
- CHM 165 General Chemistry I
- CHM 175 General Chemistry II
- In consultation with an advisor, select 10 semester hours of college-level mathematics as suggested by math placement, including computer science and statistics, from the following:
- MAT 136 Trigonometry and Analytic Geometry
- MAT 140 Finite Mathematics
- MAT 150 Discrete Mathematics
- MAT 157 Statistics
- MAT 165 Business Calculus
- MAT 175 Calculus for the Biological Sciences
- MAT 210 Calculus I
- MAT 216 Calculus II
- MAT 219 Calculus III
- CSC 142 Computer Science
- CSC 153 Data Structures
- CSC 160 Software Design and Development
- CSC 175 Computer Organization and Assembly Language Programming
- Complete both of the following:
- PHS 170 Physical Geology
- PHS 171 Physical Geology Lab
- Complete all requirements for the AA degree.
- When transferring to Iowa, present a cumulative transfer grade-point average (GPA) of at least 2.00 from all colleges attended.
- Complete the UI courses required for this major, as specified in the UI General Catalog.
- Complete at least half of the remaining semester hours needed for your major and degree during each of your two years at Iowa. (A total of 35 semester hours is required for the geoscience major and 120 semester hours for the BA degree.)
A current schedule of UI courses is available online via Iowa Student Information Services (MyUI).