Earth Sciences

Basic Structure of the Department

The department offers two majors (Earth Sciences and Environmental Earth Sciences), and a minor in Earth Sciences. The Earth Sciences major is focused on the geological sciences. The Environmental Earth Sciences major focuses and the application of the earth sciences to environmental challenges and incorporates flexibility for interdisciplinary study with related departments.
Students begin the study of earth sciences at Dartmouth by taking courses in either one of two sets of courses: Introductory Level courses (EARS 1-9) or Collection and Analysis of Earth Science Data courses (EARS 10-19). Introductory Level courses provide an overview of a broad suite of themes within earth sciences whereas Data courses provide a deeper exploration of a particular sub discipline of earth sciences.
Majors typically participate on the department’s off-campus studies program during the fall of the junior year. The off-campus studies program is a core-requirement of both majors and commonly part of the minor. It is designed as a departure from textbook and classroom instruction to provide hands-on experience in the study of earth. Prerequisites for the FSP include ONE of EARS 1-9 (excluding EARS 7, EARS 1 is preferable), CHEM 5, and EARS 40.

The Earth Science curriculum is structured into sets of courses sharing key concepts, skills, and competencies which reflect, in part, the ongoing effort within the broader earth science community to define the core ideas and supporting concepts that define the earth sciences (see http://www.earthscienceliteracy.org). Our majors are structured to permit students to take at least one course from each set of courses. Students typically take at least one course from each of the first two sets of courses (EARS 1-9 exclusive of EARS 7; EARS 10-19) and the supporting prerequisites for the major (CHEM 5 and any one of the following courses taken at Dartmouth: MATH 3, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 23, or 46) by the end of their sophomore year. Students take EARS 40 during the summer after their sophomore year.
Students who have any other questions, should contact the undergraduate advisor, Leslie Sonder (Leslie.J.Sonder@Dartmouth.EDU)