I. ASCRC Symbolic Systems Request (3/5/14)
Use to request or renew the general Group III Exception: Symbolic Systems for degree
programs or options. Please complete a separate form for each degree requesting the
exception.
Degree or Degree Option*
Bachelor of Science - Geosciences; Earth Science Education
Option
*For options include all degree requirements followed by the
option requirements.
Dept/Program
Geosciences
Approved Symbolic System(s) M 162 or M 171
II. Endorsement/Approvals
Complete the form and obtain signatures before submitting to Faculty Senate Office
Please type / print name Signature
Date
Requestor
James R Staub
Phone / Email
243-4953
Program Chair
James R Staub
Dean
Christopher Comer
III: Justification Please explain why the program of study requires over 48 credits for a
first baccalaureate degree:
Geosciences is a rigorous discipline. Geoscience investigations are quantitative and
experimental and require computer skills, a strong foundation in chemistry, physics, and
mathematics as well as a thorough understanding of geological subjects. This curriculum
option, which emphasizes competency in the field, is designed to provide the necessary
background for teaching Earth Science at the middle and high school level.
IV. Degree Requirements: (1) List all courses required for the major and the credits
earned. Courses that apply toward the 48-credit threshold include all requirements for the
primary major and designated pre-requisite courses (2) Subtract general education credits
fulfilled by these requirements. Example: If a major requires PHSX 205N-208N (totaling 10
credits), only 4 credits apply towards the 48 credit threshold since 6 credits are needed to fulfill
general education group XI (Natural Sciences).
Geosciences B.S.
Bachelor of Science - Geosciences
College Humanities & Sciences
Catalog Year: 2014-2015
Degree Specific Credits: 62 (32 listed in 2014-15 catalog is incorrect)
Required Cumulative GPA: 2.0
Note: This option is designed for students who seek post-graduate employment as a
professional geoscientist or preparation for graduate study in geosciences.
Lower Division Core
Rule: Must complete all of the following courses
Note: .
Course
Credits
GEO 101N - Intro to Physical Geology
3 Credits
GEO 102N - Intro to Physical Geology Lab
1 Credits
GEO 200 - Historical Geology
2 Credits
GEO 225 - Earth Materials
4 Credits
GEO 228 - Earth Surface Processes
2 Credits
GEO 231 - Geosciences Field Methods
2 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C-
14 Total Credits Required
Degree Electives
Rule: Must complete 6 geosciences courses numbered 300 and above for a minimum of 18
credits
Minimum Required Grade: C18 Total Credits Required
Cognate Sciences
Rule: In addition to completing course work in Geosciences, a minimum of 30 credits in
cognate science classes must be completed.
Note: More advanced courses in Chemistry, Computer Science, Math, and Physics may be
used to meet the 30 credit minimum total in cognate sciences. Course substitutions for the 30
credit minimum in cognate sciences must be approved by a departmental advisor.
Physics
Rule: Must complete 1 of the following sequences
10 Total Credits Required
Physics
Rule: May complete the following sequence
Course
Credits
PHSX 205N - College Physics I
4 Credits
PHSX 206N - College Physics I Laboratory
1 Credits
PHSX 207N - College Physics II
4 Credits
PHSX 208N - College Physics II Laboratory
1 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C-
10 Total Credits Required
Physics with Calculus
Rule: May complete the following sequence
Course
Credits
PHSX 215N - Fund of Physics w/Calc I
4 Credits
PHSX 216N - Physics Laboratory I w/Calc
1 Credits
PHSX 217N - Fund of Physics w/Calc II
4 Credits
PHSX 218N - Physics Laboratory II w/Calc
1 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C-
10 Total Credits Required
Chemistry
Rule: Must complete the following courses
Course
Credits
CHMY 141N - College Chemistry I
5 Credits
CHMY 143N - College Chemistry II
5 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C-
10 Total Credits Required
Math
Rule: Must complete 1 of the following subcategories
7-8 Total Credits Required
Math Option 1
Rule: May complete the following 2 courses
Course
Credits
M 162 - Applied Calculus
4 Credits
M 274 - Intro to Differential Equation
3 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C-
7 Total Credits Required
Math Option 2
Rule: May complete the following 2 courses
Course
Credits
M 171 - Calculus I
4 Credits
M 172 - Calculus II
4 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C-
8 Total Credits Required
Computer Science
Rule: Must complete 1 course in Computer Science (Programming or Modeling)
Note: These courses are recommended to complete the Computer Science requirement. Credit
may be received for only 1 of these 2 courses for the 30 credit minimum cognate science
requirement.
Course
Credits
CSCI 172 - Intro to Computer Modeling
3 Credits
CSCI 250 - Computer Mdlng/Science Majors
3 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: CUpper Division Writing
Rule: Must complete 1 upper division writing course
3 Total Credits Required
Note: These courses are recommended to complete the upper division writing requirement in
Geosciences but students may also select from the university-approved list of upper division
writing courses to fulfill this requirement.
Course
Credits
GEO 320 - Global Water
4 Credits
GEO 499 - senior thesis / capstone
3 To 10 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C-
3 Total Credits Required
Languages
Rule: Must complete 1 of the following courses
Note: Students graduating in Geosciences may substitute one of these courses in place of the
Modern and Classical Language requirement.
Course
Credits
M 162 - Applied Calculus
4 Credits
M 171 - Calculus I
4 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C-
3 Total Credits Required
Total Credits (Excluding General Education Credits): 56
V. Option Requirements:
Bachelor of Science - Geosciences; Earth Science Education Option
College Humanities & Sciences
Catalog Year: 2014-2015
Degree Specific Credits: 58 (54 listed in 2014-15 catalog is incorrect)
Required Cumulative GPA: 2.0
Note: Students must be formally admitted to the Teacher Education Program and complete all
of the professional education licensure requirements. See the Department of Curriculum &
Instruction in the College of Education and Human Sciences for more information. A major
GPA of 2.75 is required to be eligible for student teaching. This major does not qualify as a
single field endorsement. Individuals must complete a second teaching major or minor in
another content area.
Lower Division Core
Rule: Must complete all of the following courses
Note: .
Minimum Required Grade: C17 Total Credits Required
Geosciences Core
Rule: Must complete all of the following courses.
Course
Credits
GEO 101N - Intro to Physical Geology
3 Credits
GEO 102N - Intro to Physical Geology Lab
1 Credits
GEO 200 - Historical Geology
2 Credits
GEO 225 - Earth Materials
4 Credits
GEO 228 - Earth Surface Processes
2 Credits
GEO 231 - Geosciences Field Methods
2 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C-
14 Total Credits Required
Environmental Geoscience Course
Rule: Must complete one of the following.
Course
GEO 105N - Oceanography
Credits
3 Credits
GEO 108N - Climate Change
Minimum Required Grade: C-
3 Credits
3 Total Credits Required
Upper Division Geosciences
Minimum Required Grade: C9 Total Credits Required
Required Upper Division Geoscience
Rule: Complete all of the following.
Course
Credits
GEO 304E - Science and Society
3 Credits
GEO 311 - Paleobiology
3 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C-
6 Total Credits Required
Elective Upper Division Geoscience
Rule: Complete one additional GEO course at the 300- or 400-level
Note: GEO 320 Global Water is recommended to complete the upper division writing
requirement in Geosciences but students may also select from the university-approved list of
upper division writing courses to fulfill this requirement.
Physics
Rule: Must complete 1 of the following sequences
10 Total Credits Required
Physics
Rule: May complete the following sequence
Course
Credits
PHSX 205N - College Physics I
4 Credits
PHSX 206N - College Physics I Laboratory
1 Credits
PHSX 207N - College Physics II
4 Credits
PHSX 208N - College Physics II Laboratory
1 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: CPhysics with Calculus
10 Total Credits Required
Rule: May complete the following sequence
Course
Credits
PHSX 215N - Fund of Physics w/Calc I
4 Credits
PHSX 216N - Physics Laboratory I w/Calc
1 Credits
PHSX 217N - Fund of Physics w/Calc II
4 Credits
PHSX 218N - Physics Laboratory II w/Calc
1 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C-
10 Total Credits Required
Chemistry
Rule: Must complete the following courses
Course
Credits
CHMY 121N - Intro to General Chemistry
3 Credits
CHMY 123N - Intro to Organic & Biochem
3 Credits
CHMY 485 - Laboratory Safety
1 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C-
7 Total Credits Required
Math
Rule: Must complete the following courses
Course
Credits
M 151 - Precalculus
4 Credits
STAT 216 - Introduction to Statistics
4 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C-
8 Total Credits Required
Astronomy
Rule: Must complete the following course
Course
ASTR 131N - Elementary Astronomy I
Minimum Required Grade: CTeaching Methods Course
Credits
3 Credits
3 Total Credits Required
Rule: Must complete the following course.
Note: The EDU 497 course number is used for multiple courses. Students should register for
EDU 497 Methods: 5-12 Science.
Course
EDU 497 - Teaching and Assessing
Minimum Required Grade: C-
Credits
0 To 4 Credits
3 Total Credits Required
Languages
Rule: Must complete 1 of the following courses
Note: Students graduating in Geosciences may substitute one of these courses in place of the
Modern and Classical Language requirement.
Course
Credits
M 162 - Applied Calculus
4 Credits
M 171 - Calculus I
4 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C-
3 Total Credits Required
Total Credits (Excluding General Education Credits): 52
Please note: Programs granted a symbolic-systems exception to the general education modern and
classical languages requirement will have to reapply every four years to keep the exception. The
application will require an up-to-date accounting showing that the 48-credit threshold is exceeded.