愛(ài)荷華大學(xué)

Learning Outcomes

Geoscience B.S. graduates will:

understand the structure, composition, and physical processes of the Earth;
understand the coevolution of the Earth-Life System;
have the ability to interpret the geologic record in the field;
understand how to assess and utilize our natural resources in a sustainable manner; and
develop a quantitative analytical skill set to integrate the diverse array of Earth sciences and related disciplines.

Overview

The B.S. in geoscience offers students an extensive and comprehensive background in the Earth sciences and related scientific disciplines, and is geared toward a career in the geosciences. Strengths of the department include environmental geology, geochemistry, geophysics, paleontology, stratigraphy, tectonics, basin analysis, surficial processes, petrology, and volcanology. Students gain extensive field experience and training, and are able to integrate field studies and analytical research, with knowledge gained in the classroom. Opportunities are provided for local, regional, and international field experiences as well as for individual research projects.

The Bachelor of Science with a major in geoscience requires a minimum of 120 s.h., including at least 74 s.h. of work for the major (at least 43 s.h. in earth and environmental sciences courses and at least 31 s.h. in supporting disciplines). Students must maintain a g.p.a. of at least 2.00 in all courses for the major and in all UI courses for the major.

The B.S. in geoscience is designed to prepare students for immediate employment after graduation or for admission to graduate study in earth and environmental sciences. Degree recipients also have been employed in the ancillary fields of public policy, environmental engineering, law, business, archaeology, science education, museum curation, and other allied fields. Nearly all University of Iowa geoscience graduates gain employment or move on to graduate programs following completion of their degree.

Employment opportunities for graduates are typically in environmental corporations and consulting agencies; natural resource corporations; local, state, and federal agencies, such as geological surveys, educational institutions, conservation agencies, museums, and departments of urban planning, natural resources, and water resource management; nonprofit organizations; research institutions; and ecotourism. Companies such as ExxonMobil recruit Iowa graduates on campus.