Rensselaer was the first school in North America dedicated to instruction in technology and science, and earth science was one of the first topics incorporated into the school curriculum. America's earliest preeminent geologist, Amos Eaton, was one of the principal founders of RPI, and he quickly established the school's reputation in science by training a number of the early leaders in earth science research. Our modern department carries on this proud tradition, educating students at the forefront of scientific understanding.
The program shown below requires a total of 124 credit hours. This curriculum leads to a B.S. in geology.
Students who successfully complete this program will be able to demonstrate:
- Foundational Science & Mathematics Students will explain core concepts in physics, chemistry, geology, biology, and calculus to interpret the fundamental processes governing natural systems.
- Depth of Disciplinary Knowledge Students will analyze complex problems in a chosen field of science (geology, biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, or computer science) and construct evidence-based arguments about the processes affecting natural systems.
- Earth Systems Understanding Students will compare the interactions among Earth's major systems — oceans, atmosphere, and solid Earth — and explain how natural and human-induced changes alter these systems over time.
- Geological Principles & Field Methods Students will apply foundational principles of mineralogy, structural geology and geochemistry to interpret geological systems, and execute field and laboratory data collection protocols including geologic mapping and rock analysis.
- Integrative Problem-Solving Students will design solutions to solid-Earth problems by integrating knowledge and methods drawn from across the curriculum, while evaluating the broader societal implications of geological issues and identifying career and graduate study pathways in the solid-Earth sector.
- Scientific Communication Students will communicate scientific findings to diverse audiences by producing written reports, oral presentations, and data visualizations that clearly convey evidence, methodology, and conclusions.
First Year
Fall
- CHEM 1100 - Principles of Chemistry I Credit Hours: 4
- ERTH 1100 - Earth, Energy and the Environment Credit Hours: 3
- ERTH 1150 - Earth, Energy and the Environment Lab Credit Hours: 1
- HASS Core Elective Credit Hours: 4
- MATH 1010 - Calculus I Credit Hours: 4
Spring
- CHEM 1200 - Chemistry II Credit Hours: 4
- ERTH 1200 - Earth’s Surface Processes Credit Hours: 3
- ERTH 1250 - Earth’s Surface Processes Lab Credit Hours: 1
- HASS Core Elective Credit Hours: 4
- MATH 1020 - Calculus II Credit Hours: 4
Second Year
Fall
- ERTH 2330 - Earth Materials Credit Hours: 4
- HASS Core Elective Credit Hours: 4
- MATH 2010 - Multivariable Calculus and Matrix Algebra Credit Hours: 4
- PHYS 1100 - Physics I (M) Credit Hours: 4
or
PHYS 1110 - Physics I (S) Credit Hours: 4
Spring
- ADMN 1030 - Career Exploration Semester: 0
- ERTH 2100 - Introduction to Geophysics Credit Hours: 4
- ERTH 2140 - Introduction to Geochemistry Credit Hours: 4
- HASS Core Elective Credit Hours: 4
- PHYS 1200 - Physics II Credit Hours: 4
Third Year
Please note:
The third and fourth year of the program vary depending upon which semester students choose to complete their ILEA 4400 requirement. Students should meet with an academic advisor to determine which semester or summer is best for them to complete their ILEA 4400 requirement. Several required courses are offered exclusively in certain academic semesters; prior course planning is essential.
Fall
- ERTH 4190 - Environmental Measurements Credit Hours: 4
- HASS Core Elective Credit Hours: 4
- Free Elective Credit Hours: 4
- Biology Requirement Credit Hours: 4
Spring
- Elective Credit Hours: 8
- HASS Core Elective Credit Hours: 4
- ERTH 4XXX selected from the ERTH Electives: Credit Hours: 4
Fall, Spring, or Summer
ILEA 4400 - The Discovery Semester: 0
Fourth Year
Fall
- Electives Credit Hours: 8
- ERTH 4XXX selected from the ERTH Electives: Credit Hours: 4
- ERTH 2120 - Structural Geology Credit Hours: 4
Spring
- Culminating Experience Credit Hours: 4
- Electives Credit Hours: 8
ERTH Electives
The following are recommended as ERTH electives for the Geology curriculum—choose 2 courses from the following:
- ERTH 4200 - Applied Micropaleontology Credit Hours: 4
- ERTH 4340 - Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology Credit Hours: 4
- ERTH 4350 - Data Science Credit Hours: 3
- ERTH 4370 - The Global Carbon Cycle Credit Hours: 4
- ERTH 4500 - Earth’s Climate: Past, Present, and Future Credit Hours: 4
- ERTH 4540 - Organic Geochemistry Credit Hours: 4
- ERTH 4650 - Seismology Credit Hours: 4
- ERTH 4690 - Aqueous Geochemistry Credit Hours: 4
- ERTH 4710 - Groundwater Hydrology Credit Hours: 4
- ERTH 4750 - Geographic Information Systems in the Sciences Credit Hours: 4
Electives
The following are recommended as electives for the Geology curriculum:
BIOL 4850 - Principles of Ecology Credit Hours: 4
CHEM 4410 - Macroscopic Physical Chemistry Credit Hours: 3
CIVL 2630 - Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering Credit Hours: 4
CIVL 4150 - Geotechnical Design Credit Hours: 4
ERTH 2160 - Introduction to Geobiology Credit Hours: 4
ERTH 6560 - Isotope Geochemistry Credit Hours: 4
MATH 2400 - Introduction to Differential Equations Credit Hours: 4
MATH 4600 - Advanced Calculus Credit Hours: 4
MATH 4700 - Foundations of Applied Mathematics Credit Hours: 4
MATH 4800 - Numerical Computing Credit Hours: 4
MATH 4820 - Introduction to Numerical Methods for Differential Equations Credit Hours: 4
MTLE 2020 - Introduction to Ceramic Materials Credit Hours: 3
MTLE 4100 - Thermodynamics of Materials Credit Hours: 4
Minor in Environmental Science
This minor is ideal for students wishing to develop a multidisciplinary background in environmental science.
Minor in Geology
Students not majoring in geology may take a minor by completing at least 16 credit hours of Earth classes, eight of which should be at the 4000 level. ERTH-1030 and 1040 (Natural Sciences) do not count towards the minor.
Minor in Hydrogeology
Students not majoring in hydrogeology may take a minor by taking ERTH-4710 , ERTH-4180, and electing from the ERTH group at least two additional courses except for ERTH-1030 and ERTH-1040.
Minor in Astrobiology
The Earth and Environmental Sciences Department participates in a multidisciplinary minor in astrobiology for students majoring in geology or other disciplines. To complete this minor, students must take a minimum of 16 credits of course work in this field. These courses include ASTR-4510 and ISCI-4500, four credits each, and two semesters of the one-credit course ISCI-4510. A further two courses outside the major field of study are also required.
Ever since its inception, Rensselaer has been a leader in science and technology education. Today, the institute provides undergraduates with one of the most modern environments for learning. Students have access to substantial computing resources, such as an award-winning network infrastructure, 24/7 computing labs, and extensive campus-wide site licensing of popular technological software. Coursework typically integrates these computing resources, exposing students to these tools, and allowing them to use them creatively.
Earth & environmental sciences provides undergraduates with some of the most innovated classes in tertiary education. Our classes are designed to engage students in activities, and support independent thinking, taught by people researching many of the most significant topics in earth science today. Students experience this knowledge in the classroom, in teaching laboratories and field trips that accompany most classes, and in research, if they so choose (there are numerous opportunities to work on existing projects or of one's own design). Students also gain hands-on experience with the latest and most powerful research tools in earth science.
