{"id":5774,"date":"2026-09-08T16:42:37","date_gmt":"2026-09-08T23:42:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/earth\/?page_id=5774"},"modified":"2026-09-09T15:10:05","modified_gmt":"2026-09-09T22:10:05","slug":"bs-ba","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/earth\/bs-ba\/","title":{"rendered":"Earth Sciences B.A. and Geological Sciences B.S."},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Undergraduate Earth Sciences<\/div>\n
Study the Earth.
\nShape the Future.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The Department of Earth Sciences<\/strong><\/a> offers three undergraduate majors and four minors. Our programs combine fieldwork, research and interdisciplinary study to prepare students to understand\u2014and help shape\u2014the changing Earth.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\"USC<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Check Out Our Newest Major<\/div>\n

Environmental Systems Science B.S.<\/h3>\n
Explore an interdisciplinary program focused on understanding Earth\u2019s changing environmental systems and developing solutions for a more resilient future.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Visit the Program Page \u2192<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Advising and Declaring a Program<\/h3>\n
Current students interested in joining the department should contact Director of Undergraduate Studies Prof. Bottjer<\/strong><\/a> or visit the department office (ZHS 117) to learn more. Contact Dornsife Undergraduate Advising<\/strong><\/a> to declare a major or minor and register for classes.<\/div>\n
Visit Dornsife Advising<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Plan Your Courses<\/h3>\n
Review the current schedule of Earth Sciences courses and all undergraduate courses. Contact Prof. Feakins<\/strong><\/a> with any queries or interest in future semester offerings.<\/div>\n
Fall 2026 GEOL Course Offerings \u2192<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Compare Our Earth Sciences Degrees<\/h2>\n
The comparison below focuses on the B.A. in Earth Sciences and B.S. in Geological Sciences. Both emphasize experiential learning through capstone courses and field training in locations such as Catalina Island, Greece, Spain, Alaska and South America. The Environmental Systems Science B.S. follows a distinct interdisciplinary curriculum described on its dedicated program page.<\/div>\n
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\"Group<\/p>\n

Learning in the field:<\/strong> Earth Sciences students gain experience in remarkable environments around the world.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\"USC<\/p>\n

Research experience:<\/strong> Students develop analytical and laboratory skills through hands-on research.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

B.A. and B.S. Degree Comparison<\/h3>\n
Use this comparison as a general planning overview. Consult the linked program requirements and an academic advisor for complete and current information.<\/div>\n
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Bachelor of Arts<\/div>\n

B.A. in Earth Sciences<\/h3>\n
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Required in Both Degrees<\/div>\n
Introduction to GEOL<\/strong>
\nAny GEOL 100- or 200-level course. A GESM taught by a GEOL professor may be substituted.<\/div>\n
Minerals and Earth Systems<\/strong>
\nGEOL 315L, offered in the fall.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
A flexible degree for students interested in geoscience and related careers in business, law, medicine or public policy. The program works well with a second major or complementary minor.<\/div>\n
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Chemistry<\/strong>
\nCHEM 105aLg, General Chemistry<\/div>\n
Mathematics<\/strong>
\nMATH 118gx, Fundamental Principles of Calculus, or MATH 125g, Calculus I
\nMay be waived based on precalculus or AP Calculus AB preparation.<\/em><\/span><\/div>\n
Additional science<\/strong>
\nOne additional semester selected from BISC 120Lg, CHEM 105bL or PHYS 135ab.<\/div>\n
Upper-division GEOL electives<\/strong>
\n28 units of electives. Typically, three options are offered each semester.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
View B.A. Requirements<\/a>Sample Four-Year Plan<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Bachelor of Science<\/div>\n

B.S. in Geological Sciences<\/h3>\n
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Required in Both Degrees<\/div>\n
Introduction to GEOL<\/strong>
\nAny GEOL 100- or 200-level course. A GESM taught by a GEOL professor may be substituted.<\/div>\n
Minerals and Earth Systems<\/strong>
\nGEOL 315L, offered in the fall.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
A technically focused degree preparing students for geoscience industries, government agencies, graduate study and other careers requiring advanced scientific preparation.<\/div>\n
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Technical preparation<\/strong>
\nIncludes additional science, mathematics, laboratory and research coursework. See the current B.S. requirements for the complete course list.<\/div>\n
Upper-division GEOL electives<\/strong>
\nElectives selected from the range of specialized GEOL courses offered.<\/div>\n
Fieldwork or research<\/strong>
\nField geology or directed research in a laboratory.<\/div>\n
Senior thesis<\/strong>
\nCompletion of the GEOL 494 Senior Thesis<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
View B.S. Requirements<\/a>Sample Four-Year Plan<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

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Expand Your Studies<\/div>\n

Explore Our Minors<\/h2>\n
Four interdisciplinary minors allow students to explore connections among Earth systems, biological sciences, natural hazards, climate change and public policy.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Check Out Our Newest Minor<\/div>\n

Paleontology<\/h3>\n
Explore the evolution, diversity and extinction of life through a curriculum combining biology, geology and the history of life on Earth.<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
Visit the Minor Page \u2192<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Geobiology<\/h3>\n
For students interested in interdisciplinary study at the intersection of Earth and biological sciences, including topics such as life in extreme environments and the search for life on other planets ("astrobiology").<\/div>\n
View Minor Requirements<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Geohazards<\/h3>\n
For students who want to broaden their understanding of natural hazards, global change and environmental problems. Accessible to science and non-science majors.<\/div>\n
View Minor Requirements<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Climate Change, Stewardship and Resiliency<\/h3>\n
For students seeking a scientific grounding in climate issues, as a complement to specializing in areas such as international relations, public policy, economics, business, management or politics. Accessible to science and non-science majors.<\/div>\n
View Minor Requirements<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Interdisciplinary Opportunities<\/div>\n
The department works closely with the Dornsife Environmental Studies program, providing science-focused coursework and supporting double-major and major\/minor combinations for students seeking a stronger scientific foundation in their study of the natural environment.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\"Exterior<\/p>\n

Zumberge Hall of Science, home of the Department of Earth Sciences.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n <\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":196,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-5774","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nEarth Sciences B.A. and Geological Sciences B.S. - Department of Earth Sciences<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/earth\/bs-ba\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Earth Sciences B.A. and Geological Sciences B.S. - Department of Earth Sciences\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/earth\/bs-ba\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Department of Earth Sciences\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-09-09T22:10:05+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/earth\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/76\/2023\/04\/ZHS.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1406\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1016\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@USC_earth\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dornsife.usc.edu\\\/earth\\\/bs-ba\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dornsife.usc.edu\\\/earth\\\/bs-ba\\\/\",\"name\":\"Earth Sciences B.A. and Geological Sciences B.S. - 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