About the Program

The Earth Sciences program offers students the opportunity to develop a broad understanding of the earth as a dynamic, interacting system of land, sea, atmosphere, and solar system. Coursework in chemistry, calculus, and physics are required, but more courses in these areas are expected, particularly for students intent upon careers in the geosciences, or contemplating graduate study.

Student majors are strongly encouraged to pursue independent research under faculty supervision and/or an internship experience. Students may find additional information about undergraduate research possibilities from faculty and by visiting the Office of Undergraduate Research Web site at undergraduateresearch.buffalostate.edu/ (http://undergraduateresearch.buffalostate.edu/). A departmental honors program also is available. Students should contact the department for additional information.

NOTE: Students seeking New York State Teacher Certification are advised to review the M.S.Ed. in Science Education degree program in the graduate catalog; this program requires completion of an undergraduate degree in a core science prior to admission. The program is designed to enable students to quickly and efficiently develop the knowledge and skills required for teaching and leads to initial NYS certification for those candidates meeting the program admission requirements. Contact the department for advisement on the quick admission and 4+1 pathways available for Buffalo State students.

About the Geosciences Department

160 Science and Math Complex
1300 Elmwood Ave
Buffalo, NY 14222
Phone: (716) 878-6731
Fax: (716) 878-4009
https://geosciences.buffalostate.edu/

Program Requirements

General Education 23 Requirements
33 credit hours 33

Earth Science Major Requirements (58-63 credit hours)

Required GES Courses (45-46 credit hours)
Select 6 credit hours from the following: 6
GES 101 INTRODUCTORY GEOLOGY
GES 102 HISTORICAL GEOLOGY
GES 111 OCEANOGRAPHY
GES 123 ENVIRONMENTAL EARTH SCIENCE
GES 124 GEOLOGIC HAZARDS
GES 132 THE SOLAR SYSTEM

At least 7 credit hours from the following: 7-8
GES 200 FIRST YEAR GEOLOGY EXPERIENCE
GES 201 PHYSICAL GEOLOGY (4)
GES 202 EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTS THROUGH TIME (4)

All of the following (26 credit hours):
GES 131 INTRODUCTORY ASTRONOMY 3
GES 241 METEOROLOGY 3
GES 303 MINERALOGY 4
GES 306 SEDIMENTOLOGY AND STRATIGRAPHY 4
GES 307 GEOMORPHOLOGY 4
GES 408 STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY 4
GES 418 STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY FIELD EXPERIENCE 1
GES 428 GEOLOGICAL HAZARDS 3
Select 6 credit hours from the following: 6

Upper-division Astronomy (3 credit hours)
GES 323 THIRD-YEAR RESEARCH AND FIELD METHODS EXPERIENCE
GES 452 HYDROGEOLOGY

Select one (3 credit hours) 3
GES 431 PLANETARIUM SEMINAR
GES 472 GEOLOGY SENIOR SEMINAR

Required Cognate Courses (13-17 credit hours) 13-17
CHE 111 FUNDAMENTALS OF CHEMISTRY I
& CHE 113 LABORATORY FOR FUNDAMENTALS OF CHEMISTRY I (4)

Select one of the following (3-5 credit hours) 3-5
PHY 107 GENERAL PHYSICS I (4)
PHY 111 UNIVERSITY PHYSICS I (5)
BIO 104 ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY
BIO 111 FOUNDATIONS OF BIOLOGY
BIO 210 MICROBIOLOGY
BIO 213 INTRODUCTION TO ECOLOGY, EVOLUTION, AND BEHAVIOR (4)

Mathematics (3-5 credit hours) 3-5
Choose one of the following:
MAT 124 FUNCTIONS AND MODELING II
MAT 126 APPLIED CALCULUS I (4)
MAT 161/163 CALCULUS I

GIS Course (3 credit hours) 3
GEG 325 MAPS AND MAPMAKING USING GIS

All College Electives
19-29 credit hours 19-29

Total Credit Hours 120