COURSE CURRICULUM

The Geosciences major at Cal Lutheran requires a minimum of 36 credits in the major, including at least 20 upper-division credits, along with 8 to 10 supporting course credits, totaling between 44 and 46 credits overall. The core curriculum builds a strong foundation in Earth science through required courses such as Physical Geology with lab (EES 111/111L), Physical Geography with lab (EES 151/151L), Climate Change (EES 305), and the Environmental Science Capstone (EES 485). Students also take MATH 231, Statistics for the Sciences, to develop quantitative analysis skills essential for research and fieldwork.To complete the major, students must take at least five additional elective courses in Earth and Environmental Sciences (EES), totaling a minimum of 18 credits. Of these, at least four must be upper-division, and two must be courses worth four credits or more, ensuring both breadth and depth in geoscience topics. Electives may cover areas such as paleontology, geologic hazards, sedimentology, stratigraphy, and water resources, allowing students to tailor their studies to specific interests.In addition to the major requirements, students must complete a two-semester sequence in either Chemistry, Physics, or Mathematics to provide essential supporting knowledge. Options include General Chemistry I and II with labs (CHEM 151/151L and 152/152L), General Physics I and II with labs (PHYS 201/201L and 202/202L), or Calculus I and II (MATH 251 and 252). This interdisciplinary preparation equips students with the tools to understand complex earth systems, conduct research, and pursue careers or graduate studies in geosciences and related fields.