These are the degree programs available to undergraduates who entered Washington University in FL21 or earlier. To return to our current Majors & Minors click here.
Geology Major
Geologists use a variety of observational and analytical tools to investigate the composition and structure of the Earth, with the objective of understanding how its features evolved over time. Planetary geologists may apply the same set of tools and principles to explore other objects in the solar system. Many geologists are employed by corporations or government agencies tasked with assessing natural hazards, natural resources, and the environment.
Core courses:
Starting in Spring 2022, a new course -- EEPS 202: Introduction to Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Science -- will be offered every semester. This course is an alternative to EEPS 201 Earth and the Environment. Either EEPS 201 or 202 will fulfill the requirements of the Geology major. Students may not take both EEPS 201 and 202 for college or major credit.
Starting in the Fall 2021, a new course -- EEPS 340 Minerals, Rocks, Resources, and the Environment -- will be offered every fall. This course will take the place of EEPS 352 Earth Materials and will be required of all Geology majors. Students who have already taken EEPS 352 have fulfilled this requirement and will not have to take EEPS 340.
EEPS 201 Earth and the Environment or EEPS 202 Introduction to Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Science
EEPS 340 Minerals, Rocks, Resources, and the Environment (beginning Fall 2021) or EEPS 352 Earth Materials (until Fall 2020)
EEPS 353 Earth Forces
EEPS 437 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
Additional required coursework:
Chemistry 105 & 106 or Chemistry 111A & 112A
Physics 191 & 192
Math 131, 132, & 233
Capstone experience:
All majors are required to complete a capstone experience during their junior or senior year.
Field camp:
Students must complete an approved geology field camp worth at least 6 units of credit. Most field camps take place over the summer and are coordinated by other universities. Additionally, the field camp requirement may be fulfilled by certain study abroad programs, or by successful completion of two semesters (6 credits total) of EEPS 496. Please contact Professor Brad Jolliff for more information.
Choose three of the following:
EEPS 385 Earth History
EEPS 409 Surface Processes
EEPS 317 or 413 Soil Science
EEPS 422 Sedimentary Geology
EEPS 428 Hydrology
EEPS 460 Structural Geology
EEPS 473 Planetary Geology
EEPS 496 Undergraduate Field Geology (may not also serve as capstone)
Choose one of the following:
EEPS 319 Physical Oceanography
EEPS 323 Biogeochemistry
EEPS 386 Earth's Climate System
EEPS 401 Earth Systems Science
EEPS 407 Remote Sensing
EEPS 408 Earth’s Atmosphere and Global Climate
EEPS 410 Remote Sensing Methods and Instrumentation
EEPS 428 Hydrology
EEPS 441 Introduction to Geochemistry
EEPS 442 Aqueous Geochemistry
EEPS 444 Environmental Geochemistry
EEPS 446 Stable Isotope Geochemistry
EEPS 452 Introduction to Seismology
EEPS 453 Interior of the Earth
EEPS 454 Exploration and Environmental Geophysics
EEPS 459 Geodynamics
EEPS 474 Planetary Geochemistry
EEPS 486 Paleoclimatology
Geochemistry Major
Geochemistry applies knowledge of chemical systems to understand the Earth, the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere. Geochemists analyze elemental and isotopic abundances to understand physical chemical and biological processes occurring within the Earth system. Many geochemists are employed as consultants or in government agencies tasked with environmental assessment of soil, water, and air quality, as well as work in identifying and managing natural resources.
Core courses:
Starting in Spring 2022, a new course -- EEPS 202: Introduction to Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Science -- will be offered every semester. This course is an alternative to EEPS 201 Earth and the Environment. Either EEPS 201 or 202 will fulfill the requirements of the Geochemistry major. Students may not take both EEPS 201 and 202 for college or major credit.
Starting in the Fall 2021, a new course -- EEPS 340 Minerals, Rocks, Resources, and the Environment -- will be offered every fall. This course will take the place of EEPS 352 Earth Materials and will be required of all Geochemistry majors. Students who have already taken EEPS 352 have fulfilled this requirement and will not have to take EEPS 340.
EEPS 201 Earth and the Environment or EEPS 202 Introduction to Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Science
EEPS 340 Minerals, Rocks, Resources, and the Environment (beginning Fall 2021) or EEPS 352 Earth Materials (until Fall 2020)
EEPS 353 Earth Forces
EEPS 441 Introduction to Geochemistry
Additional required coursework:
Chemistry 105 & 106 or Chemistry 111A & 112A
Physics 191 & 192
Math 131, 132, & 233
Math 217 or Math 309 or Math 2200 or Math 3200
Capstone experience:
All majors are required to complete a capstone experience during their junior or senior year.
Choose three of the following:
EEPS 323 Biogeochemistry
EEPS 401 Earth Systems Science
EEPS 442 Aqueous Geochemistry
EEPS 444 Environmental Geochemistry
EEPS 445 Organic Geochemistry
EEPS 446 Stable Isotope Geochemistry
EEPS 474 Planetary Geochemistry
EEPS 486 Paleoclimatology
EEPS 511 Minerals in Aqueous Environments
EEPS 545 Radiogenic Isotope Geochemistry
EEPS 569 Thermodynamics & Phase Equilibria
EEPS 571 Meteorites
Choose one of the following:
EEPS 319 Physical Oceanography
EEPS 361 Structural Geology
EEPS 385 Earth History
EEPS 386 Earth's Climate System
EEPS 407 Remote Sensing
EEPS 408 Earth’s Atmosphere and Global Climate
EEPS 409 Surface Processes
EEPS 410 Remote Sensing Methods and Instrumentation
EEPS 317 or 413 Soil Science
EEPS 422 Sedimentary Geology
EEPS 428 Hydrology
EEPS 437 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
EEPS 452 Introduction to Seismology
EEPS 453 Interior of the Earth
EEPS 454 Exploration and Environmental Geophysics
EEPS 459 Geodynamics
EEPS 473 Planetary Geology
EEPS 496 Undergraduate Field Geology (may not also serve as capstone)
Geophysics Major
Geophysics is a subset of Earth and Planetary Science that uses quantitative tools from physics and math to understand the processes that control the evolution of the interior or the surface of a planet. A geophysicist might analyze seismic or satellite data, conduct laboratory experiments, or construct numerical models of complex systems. Many geophysicists are employed by exploration companies, by academic institutions, and by the government.
Core courses:
Starting in Spring 2022, a new course -- EEPS 202: Introduction to Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Science -- will be offered every semester. This course is an alternative to EEPS 201 Earth and the Environment. Either EEPS 201 or 202 will fulfill the requirements of the Geophysics major. Students may not take both EEPS 201 and 202 for college or major credit.
Starting in the Fall 2021, a new course -- EEPS 340 Minerals, Rocks, Resources, and the Environment -- will be offered every fall. This course will take the place of EEPS 352 Earth Materials and will be required of all Geophysics majors. Students who have already taken EEPS 352 have fulfilled this requirement and will not have to take EEPS 340.
EEPS 201 Earth and the Environment or EEPS 202 Introduction to Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Science
EEPS 340 Minerals, Rocks, Resources, and the Environment (beginning Fall 2021) or EEPS 352 Earth Materials (until Fall 2020)
EEPS 353 Earth Forces
Additional required coursework:
Chemistry 105 & 106 or Chemistry 111A & 112A
Physics 191 & 192
Math 131, 132, & 233
Math 217
Math 309
Capstone experience:
All majors are required to complete a capstone experience during their junior or senior year.
Choose three of the following:
EEPS 319 Physical Oceanography
EEPS 386 Earth's Climate System
EEPS 407 Remote Sensing
EEPS 408 Earth’s Atmosphere and Global Climate
EEPS 410 Remote Sensing Methods and Instrumentation
EEPS 428 Hydrology
EEPS 452 Introduction to Seismology
EEPS 453 Interior of the Earth
EEPS 454 Exploration and Environmental Geophysics
EEPS 459 Geodynamics
EEPS 460 Structural Geology
EEPS 553 Geophysical Data Analysis
EEPS 558 Advanced Geodynamics
EEPS 561 Advanced Seismology
EEPS 570 Planetary Geophysics & Dynamics
Choose one of the following:
EEPS 323 Biogeochemistry
EEPS 361 Structural Geology
EEPS 385 Earth History
EEPS 401 Earth Systems Science
EEPS 409 Surface Processes
EEPS 317 or 413 Soil Science
EEPS 422 Sedimentary Geology
EEPS 437 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
EEPS 441 Introduction to Geochemistry
EEPS 442 Aqueous Geochemistry
EEPS 444 Environmental Geochemistry
EEPS 446 Stable Isotope Geochemistry
EEPS 473 Planetary Geology
EEPS 474 Planetary Geochemistry
EEPS 486 Paleoclimatology
EEPS 496 Undergraduate Field Geology (may not also serve as capstone)
Environmental Earth Sciences Major
Environmental Earth Sciences (EES) is an interdisciplinary major that combines a solid background in Earth science with complementary breadth in other environmental disciplines, including anthropology and biology. Students completing the EES major often seek careers in academia, consulting firms, non-profits, or government agencies.
Core courses:
Starting in Spring 2022, a new course -- EEPS 202: Introduction to Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Science -- will be offered every semester. This course is an alternative to EEPS 201 Earth and the Environment. Either EEPS 201 or 202 will fulfill the requirements of the Environmental Earth Sciences major. Students may not take both EEPS 201 and 202 for college or major credit.
Starting in the Fall 2021, a new course -- EEPS 340 Minerals, Rocks, Resources, and the Environment -- will be offered every fall. This course will take the place of both EEPS 336 Minerals and Rocks in the Environment and EEPS 352 Earth Materials and will be required of all Environmental Earth Sciences majors. Students who have already taken EEPS 336 or EEPS 352 have fulfilled this requirement will not have to take EEPS 340.
Phil 235F Intro to Environmental Ethics or Pol Sci 2010 Intro to Environmental Policy
Biol 2950 Intro to Environmental Biology
EEPS 201 Earth and the Environment or EEPS 202 Introduction to Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Science
EEPS 323 Biogeochemistry
EEPS 340 Minerals, Rocks, Resources, and the Environment (beginning Fall 2021) or EEPS 336 Minerals and Rocks in the Environment or EEPS 352 Earth Materials (until Fall 2020)
EEPS 317 or 413 Soil Science or EEPS 422 Sedimentary Geology
Additional required coursework:
Chemistry 105 & 106 or Chemistry 111A & 112A
Physics 191
Math 131 & 132
Capstone experience:
All majors are required to complete a capstone experience during their junior or senior year.
Choose seven of the following, at least three from EEPS:
Anthro 361 Culture and Environment
Biol 2960 Principles of Biology I
Biol 2970 Principles of Biology II
Biol 349 Fundamentals of Microbiology
Biol 381 Introduction to Ecology
Biol 419 Community Ecology
Biol 4193 Experimental Ecology Laboratory
Chem 261 Organic Chemistry I with Lab
Chem 401 Physical Chemistry I
Econ 451 Environmental Policy
EECE 210 Introduction to Environmental Engineering
EECE 531 Environmental Organic Chemistry
EnSt 380 Applications in GIS
EnSt 405 Sustainability Exchange (may not also serve as capstone)
EnSt 539 Interdisciplinary Environmental Clinic (may not also serve as capstone)
EEPS 219 Energy and the Environment
EEPS 308 Topics in Environmental Sustainability
EEPS 319 Physical Oceanography
EEPS 353 Earth Forces
EEPS 361 Structural Geology
EEPS 385 Earth History
EEPS 386 Earth's Climate System
EEPS 401 Earth Systems Science
EEPS 407 Remote Sensing
EEPS 408 Earth's Atmosphere and Global Climate
EEPS 409 Surface Processes
EEPS 428 Hydrology
EEPS 441 Introduction to Geochemistry
EEPS 442 Aqueous Geochemistry
EEPS 444 Environmental Geochemistry
EEPS 445 Organic Geochemistry
EEPS 446 Stable Isotope Geochemistry
EEPS 454 Exploration and Environmental Geophysics
EEPS 486 Paleoclimatology
EEPS 496 Undergraduate Field Geology (may not also serve as capstone)
Math 217 Differential Equations
Math 2200 Elementary Probability and Statistics
Math 233 Calculus III
Math 309 Matrix Algebra
Math 3200 Statistics and Data Analysis
Minor in Earth and Planetary Sciences
Because Earth and Planetary Sciences have natural links with many other disciplines, a minor is an attractive option for students majoring in a variety of other fields, such as biology, chemistry, economics, engineering, mathematics, and physics. The growing national concern for the natural environment and natural resources means that a minor in Earth and Planetary sciences is also valuable professionally to students who intend to pursue these and other fields.
Starting in Spring 2022, a new course -- EEPS 202: Introduction to Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Science -- will be offered every semester. This course is an alternative to EEPS 201 Earth and the Environment. Either EEPS 201 or 202 will fulfill the requirements of the Earth and Planetary Sciences minor. Students may not take both EEPS 201 and 202 for college or major credit.
For all cohorts up to Spring 2021, a minor in Earth and Planetary Sciences consists of at least four courses and 16 credits (see below). Starting with the Fall 2021 cohort all EEPS minors must take a minimum of 18 credits of advanced coursework (numbered 300 or above):
EEPS 201 Earth and the Environment or EEPS 202 Introduction to Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Science
EEPS 340 Minerals, Rocks, Resources, and the Environment (beginning Fall 2021) or EEPS 352 Earth Materials (until Fall 2020)
EEPS 353 Earth Forces
Two additional EEPS course numbered 300 or above (beginning in Fall 2021), not including EEPS 390 and EEPS 490 Independent Study, is required.
Minor in Environmental Earth Sciences
The minor in Environmental Earth Sciences (EES) is an attractive option for students majoring in a variety of other fields. The growing national concern for the natural environment and natural resources means that an EES minor is also valuable professionally to students who intend to pursue these and other fields, including law and architecture. Following the philosophy of the EES major, the minor combines interdisciplinarity with a solid grounding in Earth science.
Starting in Spring 2022, a new course -- EEPS 202: Introduction to Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Science -- will be offered every semester. This course is an alternative to EEPS 201 Earth and the Environment. Either EEPS 201 or 202 will fulfill the requirements of the Environmental Earth Sciences minor. Students may not take both EEPS 201 and 202 for college or major credit.
For all cohorts up to Spring 2021, a minor in Environmental Earth Science consists of at least six courses and 16 credits (see below). Starting with the Fall 2021 cohort all EES minors must take a minimum of 19 credits of advanced coursework (numbered 300 or above):
EEPS 201 Earth and the Environment or EEPS 202 Introduction to Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Science
Biol 2950 Introduction to Environmental Biology
Pol Sci 2010 Introduction to Environmental Policy or Phil 235F Environmental Ethics
An additional three elective courses should be chosen from the list below.
In addition to three core courses, a minor in Environmental Earth Sciences includes at least three elective courses from the following list:
EEPS 308 Topics in Environmental Sustainability
EEPS 323 Biogeochemistry
EEPS 336 Minerals and Rocks in the Environment (until Spring 2021)
EEPS 340 Minerals, Rocks, Resources, and the Environment (beginning Fall 2021)
EEPS 352 Earth Materials (5 credits, counts as 2 courses) (until Fall 2020)
EEPS 353 Earth Forces
EEPS 385 Earth History
EEPS 386 Earth's Climate System
EEPS 401 Earth Systems Science
EEPS 317 or 413 Soil Science
EEPS 428 Hydrology
EEPS 429 Environmental Hydrogeology
EEPS 430 Environmental Mineralogy
EEPS 441 Introduction to Geochemistry
EEPS 442 Aqueous Geochemistry
EEPS 444 Environmental Geochemistry
EEPS 454 Exploration and Environmental Geophysics
EEPS 486 Paleoclimatology