Geosciences Program Information
Box 70357
322 Ross Hall (Main Office)
Phone: (423) 439-7516
FAX: (423) 439-7520
Web Address:http://www.etsu.edu/cas/geosciences
Geosciences is the study of the Earth in all its complexities, from the investigation of minerals and rocks, natural resources, evolution of plants and animals, climate change, natural hazards caused by earthquakes, horrendous weather, or careless human engineering, to the tools of geospatial science used to map out and visually portray our land. It is a fundamental science for humans to appreciate, understand, and utilize in order to have a functioning society.
Currently the department offers two Bachelor of Science degrees: BS in Geography and BS in Geology. These will end in 2018 but beginning the Fall of 2015 they will be replaced by the BS in Geosciences. This new accommodating degree program brings together depth and breadth and does so by offering four concentrations: Geospatial Science, Paleontology, Geology & Environment, and Geography. Geospatial science is an applied science (a tool) taught throughout all the concentrations and is found to be highly beneficial in obtaining employment, be it in geosciences, urban planning, public health, anthropology, sociology, engineering, or among a host of federal and state government agencies.
ETSU’s graduates in the geosciences with a good background in geospatial sciences typically obtain jobs right after graduation. Graduates in paleontology often continue with advanced degrees in the profession.
Department of Geosciences offers a major in Geography and Geology with the B.S. degree; and beginning in the Fall of 2015 will offer a major in Geosciences with the B.S. degree. These majors must satisfy the General Education Core Requirements and B.S. requirements at the beginning of the College of Arts and Sciences section of this catalog. A minor is not required in the B.S. in Geosciences; however, it is advisable. The Department of Geosciences with its new B.S. in Geosciences degree also will offer four minors: Geography, Geology, Geographic Information Systems, and Paleontology.
Double counting of courses for the major and minor are permitted when utilizing a minor offered by the Department of Geosciences.
Graduate Study-Students interested in graduate studies in geosciences may elect to participate in either the Geospatial Analysis or Paleontology concentrations with a M.S. degree. Further information is contained in the Graduate Catalog.
Advising
Students with 0-59 earned credit hours:
Contact the Center for Advisement and Student Excellence (CASE) to schedule an appointment with your advisor. Visit the CASE website (http://www.etsu.edu/cas/case/) or call (423) 439-5602.
Students with 60 or more earned credit hours:
Contact Dr. Jim Mead, Chair [mead@etsu.edu; (423) 439-7515] or Dr. Arpita Nandi [nandi@etsu.edu; (423) 439-6086] for advising.
Transfer Students
Transfer students majoring in geosciences should contact the chair of the department for advising as soon as possible. This will ensure that the student’s previous work will be coordinated efficiently with ETSU requirements.
For general information about the department or courses, contact Dr.Jim Mead, Chair [mead@etsu.edu; (423) 439-7515].
Graduation Requirements
Graduation in this major/concentration requires a minimum of 120 credits, including General Education requirements, CSCI 1100 , college degree requirements, major requirements, and minor requirements.
Passing the CSCI 1100 proficiency test produces no credit, but satisfies the graduation requirement (see http://http://www.cs.etsu.edu/academics/proficiency). If the total credits from these areas are less than 120 credits, students may use free electives to complete the requirement.
Teacher Education
Students interested in pursuing a teacher education program for certification as a teacher will major in the subject they wish to teach and minor in Secondary Education. They should see their major advisor AND an advisor in the College of Education Office of Student Services, 321 Warf-Pickel Hall. The Teacher Education program has separate admission requirements, and teaching certification has these additional requirements:
- Professional Education requirements met through the Secondary Education Minor
- Fulfillment of Teaching Content Area requirements
- Successful completion of CUAI 4580 “Residency II”
- Praxis II for content area
- PLT Praxis
- Recommendation for Licensure
All students desiring to complete a teacher education or other public school licensure program (for initial licensure, add-on endorsement, or advanced study in education) must file a Declaration of Intent in the College of Education Office of Student Services, 321 Warf-Pickel Hall. The Declaration of Intent should be filed before 30 credit hours of coursework has been completed or, in the case of transfer and post-baccalaureate students, in the first semester at ETSU. Delay or failure to file the Declaration of Intent may result in incomplete advisement. Students who have not filed the Declaration of Intent will not be considered for admission to teacher education and may be ineligible to enroll in many professional education courses.
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