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Updated March 06, 2015

Earth & Climate Sciences

College of Science and Engineering

Dean: Keith Bowman

 

Department of Earth & Climate Sciences

509 Thornton Hall
Phone: 415-338-2061
Fax: 415-338-7705

Chair: David Dempsey

Graduate Coordinator: Petra Dekens
Teaching Credential Advisor: David Dempsey

 

Faculty

Professors: Dempsey, Garcia, Monteverdi, Mustart, Sklar
Associate Professors: Caskey, Dekens, Gurdak, Leech
Assistant Professor: Stine
Adjunct Faculty: Garfield

 

Programs

B.A. in Earth Sciences

B.S. in Earth Sciences

Minor in Earth Sciences

M.S. in Geosciences

Certificate in Weather Studies

 

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Affiliations

The Department of Earth & Climate Sciences is a University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) affiliate.

 

Program Scope

The Department of Earth & Climate Sciences offers two undergraduate degree programs and a minor program spanning the Earth sciences, including geology, hydrology, oceanography, meteorology, and climate science, and a graduate program leading to a Master of Science in Geosciences. All programs aim to help students understand how planet Earth functions and to help them develop skills that enable them to critically evaluate and solve scientific problems related to Earth and environmental issues.

 

The Bachelor of Science in Earth Sciences provides students with a foundation in mathematics, physics, and chemistry; a broad background in the Earth Sciences; an understanding of how Earth’s systems are linked; depth of knowledge in any one of several subdisciplines of Earth sciences; and strong quantitative, communication, and field skills. The B.S. degree is excellent preparation for professional employment and/or graduate study in one of the Earth sciences. Students in the B.S. program take a common core of classes and choose one of three areas of emphasis, where they get in-depth training in an area of specialization: Geology; Hydrology; or Ocean, Weather, and Climate. The Geology emphasis provides fundamental skills and knowledge applied to understand processes in the solid Earth, and extensive experience conducting investigations in the field (that is, outdoors). The Hydrology emphasis draws from a broader range of Earth sciences to understand and solve environmental problems of water in Earth’s systems and provides extensive hands-on lab and field work. In the Ocean, Weather, and Climate emphasis, students learn to describe the structure and behavior of the oceans and atmosphere and to apply concepts of mathematics, physics, and chemistry to understand and solve problems about how physical processes in the ocean and atmosphere create weather and climate and how climate can change.

 

The Bachelor of Arts in Earth Sciences program provides a flexible, integrated framework within which students can prepare to teach Earth Sciences in K-12 schools or for careers in museums, parks, governmental or private non-profit environmental or planning agencies, and other organizations where broad knowledge of Earth sciences would be valued. The Minor in Earth Sciences provides a flexible opportunity to complement a wide variety of other majors.

 

The Master of Science in Geosciences provides advanced coursework in the geosciences, including an in-depth research investigation. Students choose an area of specialization and a thesis topic that they work on in close collaboration with a faculty advisor.

 

Career Outlook

Earth science investigations lead to better understanding of fundamental Earth processes and help solve problems arising from environmental contamination or mismanagement; natural hazards such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, severe storms, and global change; demand for new sources of useful Earth materials; and many others. Earth scientists use sophisticated instrumentation to collect and analyze data, and recent advances have provided new views of Earth, from the internal layers of the solid earth, from the ocean floor, and from both the lower and upper atmosphere, that are leading to improved understanding of our planet. Increasingly scarce energy, mineral, and water resources, and increasing environmental impacts of human activities (both global and local), present challenges that create demand for Earth science expertise. Because of increased demand and projected retirements, a shortage of geoscientists is projected in the near future.

 

Graduates in Earth sciences may pursue a wide range of careers in the Earth sciences and related fields. For the next decade, geologists will find the greatest opportunities in the broad areas of environmental and engineering geology; for example, surface and groundwater hydrology studies aimed at characterizing water resources and remediating toxic sites, assessing earthquake and landslide hazards, developing restoration plans for river and coastal environments, and evaluating sites for urban planning or construction. There are also many positions available in the petroleum and mineral exploration industries. A shortage of certified high school and middle school science teachers has placed qualified teachers in high demand. Ocean, weather & climate students will find opportunities in air pollution assessment, global climate change research, and climate change risk assessment, adaptation, and mitigation, with government agencies that work on climate change and coastal management, or consulting firms specializing in coastal dynamics, ocean observations, and alternative energy, for example. Recent job trends suggest that the strongest candidates, regardless of the area of specialization, will have a master’s degree, several years of experience, and an interdisciplinary background with strong chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer, and communication and collaboration skills. Earth scientists in the San Francisco Bay Area are employed by a relatively high concentration of government agencies, academic institutions, and private firms. In addition to preparing students for advanced work as professionals, the M.S. in Geosciences is an excellent preparation for a community college or high school teaching career or for entry into a doctoral program leading to a career in university teaching and/or research.

 

The increased emphasis on science in high schools and the new California mandate for earth science education in the elementary science curriculum provide many opportunities for teachers trained in the Earth Sciences.

 

Advising

The department requires that declared majors consult with an advisor every semester, and prospective majors should consult with an advisor as early as possible, particularly about selecting courses in the General Education program that best fit the major program. Students will also be advised about completing basic science requirements before taking upper division courses in Earth sciences, and about the order in which required courses should best be taken. Students interested in preparing to teach high school or middle school earth sciences and integrated science should consult the department’s teaching credential advisor.

 

Every course counted toward major requirements must be completed with a letter grade (CR/NC is not acceptable.) No more than one course counted toward major requirements may be completed with a grade less than a C-. Course work used to satisfy major requirements must be completed with an overall point average of 2.0 or higher.

 

Bachelor of Arts in Earth Sciences

The Bachelor of Arts in Earth Sciences program builds a solid conceptual foundation of basic physical sciences, mathematics, and Earth sciences. Students integrate knowledge of these separate disciplines in ways needed to understand and help solve important interdisciplinary problems, such as slowing and adapting to climate change and managing conflicting demands that humans make on the natural environment. It also prepares students to advise and educate others about issues requiring knowledge of how the Earth works.

 

Beyond the basic foundation, students have great flexibility to adapt the program to satisfy many possible interests in the Earth sciences and prepare for a variety of careers.
Some career possibilities include:

• High school and middle school science teaching.
• Technical support for firms engaged in environmental engineering, environmental monitoring and protection, natural resource analysis and management, hazardous materials and ecological remediation, computer mapping, etc.
• Technical support to city, county, state, and other governmental agencies charged with land use and other planning.
• Preparation for graduate education in such fields as resource management, environmental public policy, and environmental law.
• Science writing, editing, and librarianship.
• Interpretation for park systems, nature centers, museums, and other areas requiring natural science field skills and natural history communication skills.

 

Prospective majors are encouraged to consult with a departmental advisor to learn about graduation requirements and to plan a program adapted to their particular interests. Students interested in preparing to teach high school or middle school earth sciences and integrated science should consult with the geosciences single-subject subject-matter advisor.

 

Complementary Studies

Students in all Bachelor of Arts programs at SF State must complete at least twelve units of complementary studies, comprising coursework with a prefix outside of the primary prefix for the major. (For the B.A. program in Earth Sciences, that prefix is ERTH.) Students who complete the Earth Sciences BA program will have met the Complementary Studies requirement automatically by completing the mathematics, physics, and chemistry coursework required for the degree.

 

Transfer students who have earned AA-T or AS-T degrees and are pursuing a similar B.A. degree at SF State are required to fulfill Complementary Studies requirements for their major only if these courses are included in the minimum units required for the major.

 

Earth Sciences (B.A.) — 49 ‑ 50 units

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.

Bachelor of Science in Earth Sciences

The Bachelor of Science in Earth Sciences is designed for students intending to prepare for direct entry into a career as a professional in industry or government, or for graduate school in any of the Earth sciences, such as geology, oceanography, and meteorology. Courses in the BS degree’s Earth Sciences Core, supported by courses in the Basic Science and Math Foundation, give students a strong understanding of the structure and behavior of Earth’s systems (geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere) and the physical process through which they interact. The Earth Sciences Core courses teach not only interdisciplinary science concepts but also skills in quantitative problem solving, field work, and writing and oral communication, which are directly applicable to both graduate school and a career.

 

Students will develop disciplinary depth by selecting one of the three emphases: Geology, Hydrology, or Oceans, Weather & Climate.

 

Earth Science (B.S.) — 67 ‑ 69 units

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.

Geology Emphasis

The Geology emphasis provides students with an in-depth understanding of the solid Earth and process that shape it and skills to conduct field investigations of geologic problems. Students who complete these emphasis requirements will be prepared for graduate school in geology or to enter the workforce directly as a professional geologist. The coursework prepares students to pass the Association of State Board Geology (ASBOG) exam to be a licensed the professional geologist.

Hydrology Emphasis

The Hydrology emphasis provides students with in-depth understanding of the behavior of water on and beneath Earth’s surface, how water shapes the solid earth, and environmental problems associated with water. Students who complete these emphasis requirements will be prepared for graduate school in hydrology or to enter the workforce directly as a professional hydrologist.

Ocean, Weather & Climate Emphasis (34 units)

The Ocean, Weather & Climate emphasis provides students with an understanding of the structure and behavior of oceans, the atmosphere, and climate, and the physical processes that shape and change them. Students who complete these emphasis requirements will be prepared for graduate school work in Earth sciences disciplines such as oceanography, meteorology, or climate science, or to enter the workforce directly.

 

Minor in Earth Sciences

The Minor in Earth Sciences program consists of 15 units, including ERTH 400 (Earth Systems I), ERTH 500 (Earth Systems II), and 9 units of Earth sciences electives selected with the advice and approval of a Department of Earth & Climate Sciences faculty advisor. (See program requirements below.)

 

Earth Sciences, Minor — 15 units

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.

 

Certificate in Weather Study

General Information

The Certificate in Weather Study program is offered for those interested in learning about meteorology and companion disciplines in some depth, but not at the major level. Students who complete the certificate will be able to read and interpret basic weather maps and make basic weather forecasts for themselves, and will be conversant on many weather and climate related topics of ongoing interest and importance, such as global climate change.

 

For advice about completing the certificate, consult with the certificate advisor, Dr. John Monteverdi. For information about applying to receive the certificate once the program requirements are met, see http://tornado.sfsu.edu/Programs/Weather_Study_Cert.html.

 

Weather Study, Certificate — 24 units

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.

 

Master of Science in Geosciences

The Master of Science in Geosciences is an advanced, postgraduate degree that trains students to conduct research in Earth sciences and prepares students for careers in private industry, government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), teaching in high schools or community colleges, or for continuing postgraduate studies leading to a doctoral degree at another university. Although there are no formal concentrations within the program, students choose an area of research from within the geoscience disciplines and then select a faculty advisor and a course of study.

 

The Department of Earth & Climate Sciences faculty includes people with expertise in geology, hydrology, meteorology, and oceanography—fields that are critical to understanding fundamental Earth processes and many environmental problems, such as air and water contamination, coastal erosion, and climate change. In addition to standard courses in the three subdisciplines, recent advanced-level courses have included Tectonic Geomorphology, Global Tectonics, Rock Mechanics in Geomorphology, Paleoceanography, Vadose Zone Hydrogeology, Electron Microscopy, and Analysis and Prediction of Severe Storms.

 

All students take courses in their respective areas of emphasis plus a common core of three courses: ERTH 700, a multidisciplinary seminar that exposes students to current geoscientific research and literature, and ERTH 701 and ERTH 702, which prepare students for thesis research, quantitative analyses and scientific writing. Thesis projects are expected to have a rigorous base in a geoscience discipline. Depending on the particular field and focus of study, these projects can involve laboratory research, field work, theory development, numerical simulations or model development.

 

Recent graduate research projects have focused on topics such as active faults in Death Valley, effects of climate change on regional aquifers, geomorphic controls on Bay Area streams, deformation associated with the San Andreas fault system, Pliocene–Pleistocene climate change, large-scale tectonic processes in the Himalayan Mountains, carbon cycling in the ocean, wave erosion at Ocean Beach, and characteristics of severe storms in California. We encourage students to work on interdisciplinary projects and develop interactions and collaborations with other departments in the University, other institutions and agencies, and private industry.

 

We strongly recommend that students plan a course of study before beginning the M.S. program, in consultation with a faculty advisor and the graduate coordinator.

 

Admission to the Program

To be considered for admission to the master's program as a classified graduate student, applicants must:

• Satisfy the University admission requirements.
• Have a bachelor's degree in one of the geosciences (geology, meteorology, or oceanography) or a related discipline.
• Have a 3.0 GPA in their earned undergraduate degree or last 60 semester (90 quarter) units completed.
• Satisfactorily complete the Graduate Record Examination general test.
• Provide letters of recommendation from at least two people familiar with the applicant’s previous academic work and/or professional accomplishments.
• Submit a statement of purpose.

 

Letters of recommendation and statement of purpose should be submitted directly to the department's graduate coordinator. Other materials should be submitted to the Graduate Studies Division of the University. Materials should be submitted by February 15 for admission the following fall semester and by November 1 for the following spring semester.

 

Applicants lacking the appropriate background may be admitted as conditionally classified graduate students. These students must complete additional course work that will not be counted toward the graduate requirements. Conditionally admitted students may take courses but cannot file an Advancement to Candidacy (ATC) form until all deficiencies have been satisfied.

 

Written English Proficiency Requirement

Each graduate student is required to demonstrate an acceptable level of written English proficiency on two levels:

 

Level One: Satisfied by obtaining a score of 4.0 or better on the analytical writing component of the GRE. If the score is 3.5 or less students will be required to take SCI 614 (Graduate Writing Skills) during their first semester of graduate studies.

Level Two: Satisfied by completion of a written thesis (ERTH 898).

 

Advancement to Candidacy

To be advanced to candidacy, each student must:

• Satisfy level one of the written English proficiency requirement.
• Satisfy all course deficiencies stipulated upon entrance into the master's program.
• Choose a faculty advisor and complete a research proposal that has been approved by the student's thesis committee.
• File an Advancement to Candidacy (ATC) form.

 

Geosciences (M.S.) — Minimum 30 units

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.

All students must present an oral thesis defense to the Earth & Climate Sciences faculty and students.

 

Elective units are chosen from courses offered by the department or other University departments, and must be selected by students in consultation with their faculty advisors. At least 6 units must be courses numbered 700 or higher, and 6 units must be courses offered in the Earth & Climate Sciences department.

 

To help prepare for their careers, graduate students are expected to be a Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) for at least one semester. GTAs are responsible for teaching introductory lab courses in geology (ERTH 112), meteorology (ERTH 162), and oceanography (ERTH 172). As part of their employment, GTAs may be required to enroll in a 1-unit professional-development course (ERTH 750) to learn about research-based best practices in teaching and learning.

 

Students can receive their graduate degree when they complete all course requirements and their thesis committee approves the written thesis and oral thesis defense.