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.     

Required Courses
ASTR 161THE SKY AND THE SOLAR SYSTEM4
ASTR 181STARS, GALAXIES, AND THE EARLY UNIVERSE4
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 373CLIMATOLOGY3
or GEOG 377 METEOROLOGY
GEOL 121PHYSICAL GEOLOGY4
GEOL 123HISTORICAL GEOLOGY4
GEOL 305ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGY4
GEOL 331MINERALOGY4
GEOL 357OCEANOGRAPHY3
PHYS 211GENERAL PHYSICS I; NON CALCULUS-BASED4
PHYS 212GENERAL PHYSICS II; NON CALCULUS-BASED4
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 Units56-58

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 1UnitsTerm 2Units
BIOL 120
120L (Core 8)
4CHEM 132
132L
4
CHEM 131
131L (Core 7)
4GEOL 1234
GEOL 1214MATH 115, 119, 211, or 273 (Core 3)3
Core 1 (or Core 2)3Core 2 (or Core 1)3
 Elective3
 15 17
Sophomore
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
ASTR 1614ASTR 1814
PHYS 2114PHYS 2124
Core 43Core 63
Core 53Core 93
Elective3Elective3
 17 17
Junior
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
GEOL 3573GEOG 373 or 3773
Geosciences or Geography Elective3-4Core 123
Core 103Core 133
Core 113Elective3-4
Elective3-4Elective3-4
 15-17 15-17
Senior
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
GEOL 3054Elective3-4
GEOL 3314Elective3-4
Core 143Elective3-4
Elective3-4Elective (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.

  1. Each graduate will demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the constitution of the earth and its history in the solar system.
  2. Each graduate will be able to articulate scientific information through creative persuasive and influential presentations in both oral and written formats.
  3. 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.