The Undergraduate Program
The undergraduate major in Earth and Environmental Sciences provides an understanding of the natural functioning of our planet and considers the consequences of human interactions with it. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for one of three potential career tracks: a geoscience/earth science path and an environmental science path for students continuing on to graduate school in those areas; and a path, via the concentrations, to a broad range of business, policy, legal, medical, and administrative careers where an understanding of earth and human interactions and the application of the scientific method are pertinent. The course requirements differ for each of these intended career tracks, although all students are exposed to a strong science-centered curriculum.
Our program for majors aims to convey an understanding of how the complex Earth system works at a level that will encourage students to think creatively about Earth system processes and how to address multidisciplinary environmental problems. The breadth of material covered provides an excellent background for those planning to enter the professions of law, business, diplomacy, public policy, teaching, journalism etc. At the same time, the program provides sufficient depth so that our graduates will be prepared for graduate school in one of the Earth sciences. The program can be adjusted to accommodate students with particular career goals in mind.
All majors and concentrators, when planning their programs of study, should regularly consult the directors of undergraduate studies and make themselves aware of the requirements for their particular program.
Environmental Science Major
The environmental science major curriculum provides an introduction to a variety of environmentally related fields. Environmental science majors are required to take three semesters of introductory courses, and to obtain a grounding in basic physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics. Here, students are allowed some choice depending on interest. With this introduction to the Earth's environment and equipped with a knowledge of the basic sciences, students are prepared to choose a set of upper-level courses in consultation with an undergraduate adviser. All environmental science majors are required to complete a research project, providing a practical application of mastered course work. This research culminates in the writing of a senior thesis. The research and the thesis are usually done at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory with guidance from a faculty member or research scientist (free shuttle bus between Morningside and Lamont for undergraduates). However, other options are also possible.
Environmental Science majors have an option to complete the special concentration in environmental biology for environmental science majors.
Earth Science Major
The major in earth science follows a similar rationale and requires the same introductory courses with a focus on the solid earth and less emphasis on the ocean, atmosphere, and biosphere. Field experience, normally between the junior and senior year, is required, but with two options. One is a six- to eight-week summer course, for which arrangements are made through another university. Few programs have sufficient students to mount such a course on their own. A second option, involving a smaller commitment of time, and offered through the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, is paired with a research project and senior thesis comparable to that required for the major in environmental science.
Concentrations
Our program for concentrators serves students who want more exposure to science than is provided by introductory-level courses, and who may be contemplating professional careers rather than planning to pursue graduate-level work in science. The program aims to provide concentrators with experience in data analysis and a thorough introduction to the Earth's systems.
The concentration in environmental science and the concentration in earth science are designed to give students an understanding of "how the Earth works" and an introduction to the methods used to investigate earth processes, including their capabilities and limitations. Concentrators often join the social professions (e.g., business, law, medicine, etc.) and take with them a stronger scientific background than is normally required of Columbia undergraduates. They take the same introductory courses as the majors, but fewer basic science and upper-level courses are required.
In addition to the environmental science and earth science concentrations, the department sponsors a special concentration which must be done in conjunction with the environmental biology major. Students should be aware that they must complete the environmental biology major in order to receive credit for the special concentration. There is also a special concentration in environmental biology for environmental science majors sponsored by the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology.
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