Earth & Atmospheric Sciences Major & Minor

The EAS program is intrinsically interdisciplinary, involving many branches of science and engineering. Examples of the latter include civil and environmental engineering, biological and environmental engineering, mechanical and aerospace engineering and electrical and computer engineering. Students in this program can pursue education and research that prepares them to compete for careers or graduate study at leading institutions in this country and abroad. By analyzing the complex relations among the ocean, solid earth, atmosphere and biosphere, students can help meet society’s growing demand for energy, minerals and clean water as well as contribute to mitigating the negative impacts related to global warming, rising sea level, natural hazards and decreasing biodiversity.

CALS seeks students who maintain a rigorous high school curriculum and demonstrate an outstanding record of academic achievement. Admissions requirements include:

• 4 Units of English

• 4 Units of Mathematics (including calculus)

• 3 Units of Science (including biology, chemistry, and physics)

• An additional unit of science is strongly recommended

Students must receive a C- or better in all major required courses and take all major required courses for a letter grade.

Introduction

• EAS 2250: The Earth System

Students in the College of Engineering may count EAS 2250: The Earth System as an ENGRD course in fulfilling their college core curriculum requirements. Students who choose to do so must take an additional major-approved elective (see "Additional Required Courses" section below).

Core Courses

At least three courses selected from the following core course options:

• EAS 3010: Evolution of the Earth System
• EAS 3030: Introduction to Biogeochemistry
• EAS 3040: Interior of the Earth
• EAS 3050: Climate Dynamics

Concentration Courses

Concentration courses build depth and provide the student with specific expertise in some facet of earth system science. Four concentrations are defined for the major: Atmospheric Sciences, Environmental Geosciences, Geological Sciences and Ocean Sciences. Students also have the option of designing their own concentration tailored to their interests in consultation with their advisor and upon approval of the EAS Curriculum Committee. Four concentration-appropriate courses at the 3000-level or above are required. It is expected that concentration courses be at least 3 (structured) credits; however, alternate courses can count towards the concentration course requirement with agreement of the student's academic advisor and approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

Field Experience

Exposure to the basic observations of earth science in the field is necessary to fully understand the chosen area of concentration in the major. A minimum of 3 credits of appropriate coursework is required, although more experience with field work is encouraged. Possibilities include the following:

• EAS 2500: Meteorological Observations and Instruments
• EAS 4370: Field Geophysics
• Courses in SEA Semester
• Field courses offered at Shoals Marine Laboratory*
• Field courses offered by another college or university*
• Experience gained participating in field research with Cornell faculty (or REU at another institution)*

*Field course options marked by an asterisk (*) require pre-approval by the faculty advisor and the EAS Curriculum Committee. These courses/internships/REUs should require observations to be taken in the field and interpreted by the student. Field courses should generally require 40+ hours of active observation and data collection in the field. Students using a non-credit research option for the field course requirement are required to complete an additional EAS concentration course.

Additional Required Courses

(For Students in the College of Engineering Only)

Students in the College of Engineering must also take a major-approved elective at the 3000-level or above.

• Students who elect to count EAS 2250 as an ENGRD must take an additional major-approved elective.
• Students who elect to use CS 1110 (or equivalent) to fulfill their advisor-approved course in math, statistics, computer science or natural science requirement must take an additional major-approved elective.

Students in the College of Engineering must also take three outside major electives and two advisor-approved electives. These courses must be approved by the student's advisor.

EAS 1220 – Earthquake!
This course explores the science of natural hazards and their impact on society.

EAS 2680 – Climate and Global Warming
Students examine contemporary issues in climatology (such as global warming and El Niño) and learn about the natural greenhouse effect, past climates and observed and projected climate changes and impacts.

EAS 3010 – The Evolution of the Earth System
Life activities that change the physical and chemical environment are, in turn, altered by that environment. Over a long period of time, these interactions constitute a coevolution of earth and life. This course uses examples of modern systems, tens-of-thousands-year-old systems and hundreds-of-millions-year-old systems to illustrate methods of reconstructing deep history and the context of natural change inherent to life and Earth.

•     Obtain working knowledge of scientific method.

• Discover the way that data are collected
• Construct and evaluate scientific hypotheses from Earth sciences data
• Design, conduct and analyze experiments to test hypotheses

•     Collect, analyze and interpret field and laboratory data.

•     Identify, formulate and solve scientific problems using appropriate mathematical tools.

•     Compile and interpret spatial and temporal earth science data.

•     Explain and assess important concepts in the chosen concentration.

•     Utilize computer systems and programming to find, analyze and present data and evaluate hypotheses.

•     Communicate the earth sciences effectively in written and oral mediums.

•     Demonstrate the ability to work in teams.

•     Have a broad education, including liberal studies.