Majors

Students majoring in geosciences are required to:

1. Fulfill the general college requirements.
    
2. Complete the following:
   
   
   1. GE 101 , and either
      GE 102
        or GE 112 
       
   2. An approved course in GIS
       
   3. CH 105 , CH 106  by the end of the junior year
       
   4. MA 111 , MA 113 , or MA 108 , MA 109  and MA 113  by the end of the junior year
       
   5. GE 216  and two additional 200-level courses
       
   6. GE 304 , GE 377  and two additional 300-level courses, excluding
      GE 399
       
       
   7. One additional GE course at the 200- or 300-level, excluding
      GE 399
       
       
   8. Writing: Successful completion of GE 211 or GE 216 and GE 304 or GE 316

Learning Objectives for Writing in Geosciences

Students should be able to:

• synthesize and cite information from a variety of sources in their writing;
• articulate clearly hypotheses and methods for scientific research in their writing;
• develop proficiency in expressing results, including addressing uncertainty in the findings;
• convey the implications of findings for the geosciences community and/or the public through their writing; and
• write effective independent and collaborative pieces.

In cooperation with the advisor, a student majoring in geosciences should construct a program to include a broad knowledge of the geosciences in general, as well as specific  knowledge of one area of geosciences in greater depth. GE 371  is strongly recommended for students who intend to pursue graduate studies or a career in the field.

WRITING REQUIREMENT IN THE MAJOR: Geoscience is the study of planet Earth, its materials, the processes that act upon them, and the history of the planet and its life forms since its origin. The mission of Skidmore’s geosciences program is to apply the understanding of Earth processes to contemporary issues such as Earth resources, land-use planning, and global change. The program’s curriculum includes ocean and atmospheric sciences, Earth surface processes, and the history of global change. Our courses are designed for students with a general interest in the geosciences as well as for students planning to pursue a graduate degree. We accomplish this mission by providing an environment in which students acquire sound scientific problem-solving, research, and written and oral communication skills.

As part of the writing-in-the-major requirement, Geoscience students will learn how to clearly propose research ideas and how to concisely convey their findings to broad audiences ranging from other geoscientists to the general public. Students will learn to contextualize their ideas and findings in the existing geosciences knowledge using the standard writing practices of the geosciences. Geoscience students obtain a strong foundation for lifelong learning, professional development in the geosciences, and enhanced career opportunities in other fields that require a broadly based background in this discipline. A liberal arts degree in geosciences prepares a student for a number of professional activities related to resource management, climatology, oceanography, hydrology, Earth hazards, landuse planning, and environmental consulting. Our department contributes to the broader mission of the college by providing courses that enhance student awareness of, and appreciation for, Earth’s dynamic systems and the scientific methodologies by which they are understood. Our program complements and is complemented by Environmental Studies in addition to other natural sciences.
 

See Geosciences