Major in Earth-Space Science
The Department of Physics, Astronomy and Geosciences offers an undergraduate program leading to a Bachelor of Science in Earth-Space Science. This program is intended for students interested in secondary education, and is not appropriate for students interested in a professional career in geology. The program is designed to result in state certification to reach earth-space science at the secondary level, after the student completes the additional requirements of the Department of Secondary Education. Students must contact the Department of Secondary Education about admission to the Secondary Teacher Education Program after completing 45 units. A total of 57-58 units are required in this major, 12 of which also satisfy Core Curriculum requirements. Within the Earth-Space Science major, 34-35 required and elective units are within the earth, atmospheric, oceanographic and space sciences. The remaining units in the major are in the supporting physical and mathematical sciences. All required courses in this track must be completed with a grade equivalent of 2.00 or higher. The additional Core Curriculum requirements must also be completed.
Earth-Space Science Secondary majors in the Secondary Education Concentration are eligible, upon graduation, to apply for certification to teach earth-space science for grades 7-12 in the state of Maryland.
The Earth-Space Science Secondary Education Concentration requires 127-129 units for completion. Students in this concentration must complete 100-102 required units in content and Towson UTeach courses and 27 units in Core Curriculum courses not satisfied by the major, earning a grade equivalent of 2.00 or higher in each course.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| ASTR 161 | THE SKY AND THE SOLAR SYSTEM | 4 |
| ASTR 181 | STARS, GALAXIES, AND THE EARLY UNIVERSE | 4 |
| BIOL 120 & 120L | PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY [LECTURE] and PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY [LAB] | 4 |
| CHEM 131 & 131L | GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LECTURE and GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY | 4 |
| CHEM 132 & 132L | GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LECTURE and GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LABORATORY | 4 |
| GEOG 373 | CLIMATOLOGY | 3 |
| or GEOG 377 | METEOROLOGY | |
| GEOL 121 | PHYSICAL GEOLOGY | 4 |
| GEOL 123 | HISTORICAL GEOLOGY | 4 |
| GEOL 305 | ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGY | 4 |
| GEOL 331 | MINERALOGY | 4 |
| GEOL 357 | OCEANOGRAPHY | 3 |
| PHYS 211 | GENERAL PHYSICS I; NON CALCULUS-BASED | 4 |
| PHYS 212 | GENERAL PHYSICS II; NON CALCULUS-BASED | 4 |
| Geosciences or Geography Elective | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| COSMIC ORIGINS | ||
| PLANETARY ASTRONOMY | ||
| INTRO TO GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE | ||
| GEOMORPHOLOGY | ||
| ENVIRONMENTAL GEOGRAPHY | ||
| STUDIES IN NATURAL HAZARDS | ||
| STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY | ||
| HYDROGEOLOGY | ||
| SEDIMENTOLOGY AND STRATIGRAPHY | ||
| Mathematics Elective | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| COLLEGE ALGEBRA | ||
| PRE-CALCULUS | ||
| CALCULUS FOR APPLICATIONS | ||
| CALCULUS I | ||
| Total Units | 56-58 | |
Sample Four-Year Plan
The selected course sequence below is an example of the simplest path to degree completion. Based on course schedules, student needs, and student choice, individual plans may vary. Students should consult with their adviser to make the most appropriate elective choices and to ensure that they have completed the required number of units (120) to graduate.
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| BIOL 120 & 120L (Core 8) | 4 | CHEM 132 & 132L | 4 |
| CHEM 131 & 131L (Core 7) | 4 | GEOL 123 | 4 |
| GEOL 121 | 4 | MATH 115, 119, 211, or 273 (Core 3) | 3 |
| Core 1 (or Core 2) | 3 | Core 2 (or Core 1) | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | ||
| 15 | 17 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| ASTR 161 | 4 | ASTR 181 | 4 |
| PHYS 211 | 4 | PHYS 212 | 4 |
| Core 4 | 3 | Core 6 | 3 |
| Core 5 | 3 | Core 9 | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 17 | 17 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| GEOL 357 | 3 | GEOG 373 or 377 | 3 |
| Geosciences or Geography Elective | 3-4 | Core 12 | 3 |
| Core 10 | 3 | Core 13 | 3 |
| Core 11 | 3 | Elective | 3-4 |
| Elective | 3-4 | Elective | 3-4 |
| 15-17 | 15-17 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| GEOL 305 | 4 | Elective | 3-4 |
| GEOL 331 | 4 | Elective | 3-4 |
| Core 14 | 3 | Elective | 3-4 |
| Elective | 3-4 | Elective (optional) | 3-4 |
| 14-15 | 12-16 | ||
| Total Units 122-131 | |||
- 1
This elective is optional and only necessary if the student is not on target to earn 120 units by the end of their final term.
- Each graduate will demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the constitution of the earth and its history in the solar system.
- Each graduate will be able to articulate scientific information through creative persuasive and influential presentations in both oral and written formats.
- Each graduate will be able to demonstrate information literacy and technological competency using electronic database resources in order to develop an argument and organize supporting materials.