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Dec 04, 2024
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[DRAFT] Course Catalog 2025-2026 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Geosciences Major
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The major consists of 10.5 full courses (or the equivalent).
Note: Students must earn minimum grades of C- or P for all courses that apply toward the major.
 View the catalog page for the geosciences department.
The Department of Geosciences offers a major program that prepares students for graduate school or a career in Earth sciences; at the same time, the program is also intended for students who seek a broad understanding of earth systems through scientific study en route to careers in teaching, environmental fields, or other related areas not specific to geosciences, and for this reason many students incorporate geosciences into a double major.
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Note(s) on Requirements
- GEOS 419 should be completed during the student’s last spring semester on campus.
Transfer of Credit Toward the Major
Within institutional limits, students may count AP/IB credit earned in biology, calculus, chemistry, and/or physics toward a geosciences major following the relevant department’s guidelines; if a department does not accept AP/IB coursework toward its own major, it will not count toward the geosciences major. Similarly, students can substitute non-Oberlin courses for those that count toward the major but are taught outside the department, provided each course is certified by the chair of the relevant on-campus department as being identical to the replaced course.
In addition, up to two non-Oberlin geosciences courses can be used to satisfy the intermediate-level and/or elective course requirement. Substitutes for intermediate-level courses must be substantially similar to those being replaced. More latitude is possible for elective courses.
Course of Study
Prospective geosciences majors should discuss their major program with a member of the geosciences department as early as possible in order to identify the courses that best serve their needs. Advanced electives (400-level courses aside from GEOS 419 ) and independent research in geosciences (500-level courses) are available, but such courses are neither required nor count toward the geosciences major. After completing an introductory course, a student can complete a geosciences major in four semesters, although a less compact schedule is preferable.
See the “Curriculum” section of the department catalog page for more information on suggested course sequences.
Preparation for Post-Graduate Careers and Study
Students pursuing a professional career in the geosciences usually take more than the minimum number of courses required for the geosciences major. In particular, many geosciences graduate programs recommend two semesters of college-level mathematics and introductory physics, introductory chemistry, and a summer course in field geosciences.
Students with interests in environmental policy and/or resource development who are considering geosciences as part of a pre-law program should consult with both the geosciences department chair and with a pre-law advisor.
See the pre-law guide published by Career Exploration and Development.
Honors in Geosciences
Outstanding students may participate in the Honors Program in Geosciences. Honors students carry out a program of independent geoscientific research under the supervision of an individual faculty member during their senior year. Any student interested in doing honors research should consult with a member of the department in their junior year. In order to be accepted into the honors program, a student must have a GPA of 3.10 or higher in their geosciences course work and submit a written proposal to the department.
Detailed Major Requirements
Geosciences Major Course Lists
Geosciences Major Elective Courses
Return to the summary of requirements.
Two additional full geosciences courses (or equivalent half courses) are required, selected via some combination of the following:
Common elective courses include, but are not limited to:
Supporting Natural Sciences and Mathematics Courses
Return to the summary of requirements.
Two additional full supporting natural sciences and mathematics courses (or equivalent) at the introductory or advanced level, selected from those listed below.
Note: For supporting natural sciences and mathematics courses, students must earn the minimum grade required by the home department. For example, if the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry will accept a course in which a student earns any passing grade to fulfill their major requirements, the Department of Geosciences will accept that course to fulfill the geosciences major requirements.
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