Environmental Sciences - The University of Iowa

The Geosciences (Brown) Track
The Environmental Geosciences Track provides the essential skills for entry-level positions that require a basic understanding of geologic principles and a working knowledge of basic geologic concepts applied in the environmental industry. This track aims to produce scientists capable of tackling environmental problems in which earth materials and surficial geologic processes are most important. It also lays a strong foundation for graduate study in environmental geology, engineering geology, and natural hazards assessment. Students must complete at least 33 s.h. of Environmental Geosciences Track course work.

General Sciences

029:008 Basic Physics 4 s.h.
Students are strongly encouraged to take additional course work in physics.

Environmental Geosciences Foundation

012:041 Mineralogy 4 s.h.
012:052 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology 4 s.h.
012:092 Structural Geology 4 s.h.
012:130 Sedimentary Geology 3 s.h.
012:136 Soil Genesis and Geomorphology 3 s.h.
012:179 Engineering Geology 3 s.h.

Environmental Geosciences Field Study

012:112 Geologic Field Methods 3 s.h. (recommended)

OR one of these:
012:113 Geologic Field Analysis 3 s.h.
012:168 Field Methods in Hydrologic Sciences 3 s.h.
044:180 Field Methods in Physical Geography 3 s.h.
00L:142 Watershed Hydrology and Surficial Processes 4 s.h.

Environmental Geosciences Electives

At least 6 semester hours from these:
*06E:133 Environmental and Natural Resource Economics 3 s.h.
012:108 Introduction to Oceanography 2 s.h.
012:114 Energy and the Environment 3 s.h.
012:119 Directed Study 3 s.h.
012:130 Sedimentary Geology 3 s.h.
012:138 Fluvial Geomorphology 3 s.h.
012:139 Integrated Watershed Analysis 3 s.h.
012:140 Natural Disasters 3 s.h.
012:149 Elements of Geochemistry 3 s.h.
012:152 Isotope Geochemistry 3 s.h.
012:166 Hydrogeology 3 s.h.
012:172 Glacial and Pleistocene Geology 3 s.h.
012:177 Global Stratigraphy 3 s.h.
012:178 Applied Geostatistics 3 s.h.
012:180 Survey of Geophysical Methods 3 s.h.
012:181 Exploration Geophysics 3 s.h.
012:191 Geotectonics 3 s.h.
012:238 Process Geomorphology 1-3 s.h.
*044:019 Contemporary Environmental Issues 3 s.h.
*044:088 Environmental Conservation 3 s.h.
*044:125 Environmental Impact Analysis 4 s.h.
*044:175 Hazards and Vulnerability 3 s.h.
*044:179 Ecosystem Services and Human Dependence on Natural Systems 3 s.h.
053:050 Natural Environmental Systems 3 s.h.
053:158 Solid and Hazardous Wastes 3 s.h.

* Only one policy course may be included in the 6 s.h.

Students may petition their Environmental Science advisor to use other appropriate 100- and 200-level courses as electives.