Chair: Carl E. Renshaw
Professors J. L. Aronson, X. Feng, G. D. Johnson, C. E. Renshaw; Associate Professors W. B. Dade, M. Sharma, L. J. Sonder; Assistant Professors B. C. Bostick, J. H. Scott; Research Assistant Professor B. P. Jackson; Research Instructors J. M. Kaste, E. C. Osterberg; Visiting Professor E. S. Posmentier; Adjunct Professors S. Bonis, G. R. Brakenridge, G. Eglinton, A. J. Friedland, D. E. Lawson, F. J. Magilligan, H. N. Mango, J. B. Thompson, R. A. Virginia; Adjunct Associate Professors E. P. Kvale, K. J. Peterson, S. Taylor; Adjunct Instructor D. R. Spydell; Visiting Scholar David Wunsch.
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE EARTH SCIENCES MAJOR, THE ENVIRONMENTAL EARTH SCIENCES MAJOR AND THE EARTH SCIENCES MINOR
The Earth Sciences Major
Prerequisites: Earth Sciences 1 (Earth Sciences 2 or 3 or 5 or 6 may be substituted) and Earth Sciences 34; Chemistry 5 (or 3); Mathematics 3.
Requirements: Earth Sciences 45, 46, and 47; two courses among Earth Sciences 62, 64, 68, or 69; and at least three additional Earth Science courses numbered 20 and above. Up to two relevant courses above the introductory level from the Division of the Sciences may be substituted for two of the Earth Sciences courses numbered 10 and above as approved in advance by the Chair of the Department. Note: Students will be advised that the following courses are specifically recommended for the Earth Sciences major: Earth Sciences 21, 31, 33, 37, 44, 60, 62, 64, 65, 68, 69. Students should consider the possibility of taking Earth Sciences 44 or 68 during their sophomore year, as these courses afford good preparation for the Off-Campus Program.
All students majoring in Earth Sciences must complete Earth Sciences 87 or 88 or 89 and attend weekly research seminar in Winter and Spring of senior year, in order to fulfill the College’s culminating experience requirement.
The Environmental Earth Sciences Major
The Environmental Earth Sciences major is an opportunity to gain a more focused exposure to the study of environmental resources (such as minerals, energy resources, soils, and water) and the processes of environmental change, which will involve various aspects of earth history, geochemistry, biogeochemistry and earth surface processes. Our goal in identifying this major is to educate earth scientists who will be capable of understanding and solving environmental problems.
Prerequisites: Earth Sciences 1 (or Earth Sciences 2, 3, 5 or 6 may be substituted) and Earth Sciences 34; Chemistry 5 (or 3); Mathematics 3.
Requirements: Earth Sciences 45, 46, and 47; two courses among Earth Sciences 62, 66, 67, or 79; and at least three additional Earth Sciences courses numbered 20 or higher. Up to two relevant courses above the introductory level from qualifying courses in geography, environmental studies, engineering, chemistry and biology (see below), may be substituted for two of the Earth Sciences courses as approved by the Chair of the Earth Sciences Department. Note: Students will be advised that the following courses are specifically recommended for the Environmental Earth Sciences major: Earth Sciences 26, 28, 31, 33, 36, 55, 62, 63, 66, 67, 73, 76, 79; Geography 59; Chemistry 63; Engineering Sciences 37, 41, 43; Biology 23, 25, 26; Environmental Studies 30, 89. Students should consider the possibility of taking Earth Sciences 44 or 68 during their sophomore year, as these courses afford good preparation for the Off-Campus Program.
All students majoring in Environmental Earth Sciences must complete Earth Sciences 87 or 88 or 89 and attend weekly research seminar in Winter and Spring of senior year, in order to fulfill the College’s culminating experience requirement.
**Advisory**
First-year students planning a major in either of the two above Earth Sciences majors are advised to elect one of Earth Sciences 1, 2, 3, 5 or 6, Mathematics 3 and Chemistry 5-6 in the first or sophomore year. It is highly recommended that all majors take the required Earth Sciences 45, 46 and 47 sequence (the Fall F.S.P.). However, a student may substitute a summer field methods course offered by another institution and approved by the Chair. Since this course will likely receive one Dartmouth course credit, a student will likely need two additional Earth Sciences courses numbered 20 or above to meet Dartmouth’s eight course major requirement.
Students contemplating a professional career in earth sciences are advised that:
1. Training at the Master’s level or above is becoming increasingly necessary.
2. Most graduate schools have minimum entrance requirements equivalent to Mathematics 3 and 8, Chemistry 3-6 or 5-6, and Physics 3-4 or 13-14. Minimal expectations for Earth Sciences preparation include material taught in Earth Sciences 34, 44, 68, and 69.
The Earth Sciences Minor
Prerequisites: Earth Sciences 1 (or Earth Sciences 2 or 3 or 5 or 6) and Earth Sciences 34; Chemistry 5 (or 3); Mathematics 3.
Requirements: Four courses in Earth Sciences numbered 20 or above.
The Modified Major
Modified Major with Earth Sciences as the primary department (in addition to the general rule).
Prerequisites: same as Earth Sciences Major
Required Courses: six which must include Earth Sciences 45, 46, 47 and two courses among 62, 64, 68 or 69
Modified Major with Earth Sciences as the secondary department (in addition to the general rules).
Prerequisites: same as Earth Sciences Major
Required Courses: four courses from within the Earth Sciences major.
Modified Major with Environmental Earth Sciences as the primary department (in addition to the general rules)
Prerequisites: same as Environmental Earth Sciences Major
Required Courses: six which must include Earth Sciences 45, 46, 47 and two courses among 62, 66, 67 or 79
Modified Major with Environmental Earth Sciences as the secondary department (in addition to the general rules)
Prerequisites: same as Environmental Earth Sciences Major
Required Courses: four courses within the Environmental Earth Sciences Major
EARTH SCIENCES HONORS PROGRAM
A candidate for the Honors Program in Earth Sciences must satisfy the College requirements of at least a 3.0 (B) overall grade point average and at least a 3.0 (B) grade point average in the major at the beginning of senior year. Those students who a) enroll in and satisfactorily complete Earth Sciences 89, b) satisfactorily complete and submit a written senior thesis and c) have a 3.3 (B+) average or higher in the 8 courses constituting their major will earn Honors or, in appropriate cases, High Honors, in Earth Sciences at the end of senior year. High Honors will be granted only by vote of the Department faculty on the basis of overall academic performance including both classroom and independent work. Earth Sciences 89 may be taken twice, both for course credit, but will only count once toward the major. An interim evaluation of Honors Students will be made after one term and continuation will be recommended for those students whose work demonstrates the capacity for satisfactory (B+) work. Note: enrollment in Earth Sciences 89 in and of itself does not constitute admission to the Honors Program, nor does completion of a senior thesis guarantee the awarding of Honors.
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MASTERS DEGREE
General requirements of the Master of Science (MS) degree at Dartmouth College include three terms of residence and seven courses of graduate level, not more than four of which may be replaced by research or special study approved and supervised by the department.
To be considered for admission to the MS program a prospective student must:
1) Complete the equivalent of the following Dartmouth Courses:
Math 3 and 8.
2) Complete the equivalent (or higher) of any two of the following Dartmouth course sequences:
Chemistry 5 and 6;
Physics 3 and 4 (or 13 and 14);
Biology 12 and 16.
In the case where a student is admitted into the MS program without having completed these prerequisites, the student must fulfill these prerequisites in addition to the specific degree requirements described below.
To fulfill the specific requirements of the Department of Earth Sciences for an MS degree, a student must:
1) Successfully complete seven courses eligible for graduate credit at the discretion of the thesis committee. These courses must include Earth Sciences 115, 201, and at least two courses at the level of 100 or above. Courses not eligible for course credit toward a graduate degree include departmental seminar (EARS 121), special project research (EARS 131), thesis research (EARS 141-143), and teaching (EARS 157).
Selection of remaining courses toward completion of the graduate degree is discretionary, but should aim for individual breadth and depth in the Earth sciences. It is recommended that graduate students, upon consultation with their committee, complete the following:
at least one course in the geochemistry and petrology theme: EARS 62, 68, 69, 73, 74, 102, 103, 105, 108, 109, 112, 113, 119, 125
at least one course in the geophysics & geomorphology theme: EARS 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 76, 107, 110
at least one course in the Earth resources theme: EARS 60, 66, 76, 79, 104, 106
Appropriate substitutions may be drawn from, for example, advanced courses in Engineering, Physics, or Chemistry.
2) Complete the equivalent of three terms of thesis research for registered credit (EARS 141-143).
3) Complete a thesis of professional quality, with a view to scholarly publication, and pass a final oral examination on the topic of the thesis.
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PH.D. DEGREE
General requirements for the Ph.D. degree are given in the Regulations for Graduate Study section. In fulfillment of the specific requirements of the Department of Earth Sciences, the student must:
1. Satisfy all course requirements for the MS degree
2. Pass the following required courses or their equivalents, if not passed prior to entering the Ph.D. Program.
Math 23. Differential Equations.
Earth Sciences 107. Mathematical Modeling in the Earth Sciences
One upper level science or engineering course outside the department carrying graduate credit. This may include Chemistry 51 or 71, Biology 26, Engineering 24 or 34, or other courses approved by the Department.
3. Pass a minimum of nine courses carrying graduate credit, including those fulfilling the above requirements.
4. Submit a summer research proposal by May 1 of the first year in residence.
5. Pass a general oral exam and defense of results from a summer research project during Fall term of the second year.
6. At the end of the second year, present and defend a thesis proposal before the faculty.
7. An essential element of graduate education at Dartmouth is the experience gained in teaching other students. Therefore, at least one term of undergraduate teaching is required of all graduate students. Students may participate in more than one term of teaching. Each student’s program will be arranged, according to his/ her individual needs and interests, and the teaching needs of the Department.
A candidate who has satisfied the above requirements will receive a Ph.D. degree after he or she has:
1. Passed any additional graduate-level courses beyond those specified above, as prescribed by the Department.
2. Completed a thesis of professional quality. The thesis may be a series of publishable papers connected by appropriate text. The candidate must pass a final oral examination on the thesis.