ESS Degree
Core Courses
There are three course-groupings to the Earth System Science (ESS) B.S. degree. These are 1) the Core courses, 2) the Specialty Track courses and 3) the UAH Science College General Education Requirement (GER) courses. The set of tabs above provide the details of each of these course-groupings.
A major in Earth System Science requires a minimum of 38 semester hours of coursework and includes the following core courses (23 hours). All majors must also have a minor.
ESS Core Courses
A major in Earth System Science requires a minimum of 38 semester hours of coursework and includes the following core courses (23 hours).
| UAH Course # | Course Title (Credits) |
| ESS 102 | Physical Geology (4) view description |
| ESS 111 | Climate and Global Change (4) view description |
| ESS 305 (CE 457) | Hydrology (3) view description |
| ESS 321 | Pollution Problems (3) view description |
| ESS 370 | Introduction to Satellite Remote Sensing (3) view description |
| ESS 499 | Undergraduate ESS Research Project (3) view description |
| ST 281 or MA 385 |
Elements of Statistical Analysis or Introduction to Probability (3) view description |
Additional Required Courses
BYS 119 Principles of Biology (4), PHIL 150 or PHL 202 Introduction to Ethics (3) and EH 301 Technical Writing (3) are also required for all majors and can be used to satisfy General Education Requirements.
Specialty Tracks
In addition, a major must select at least 15 credits in a single specialty track from the list below. A student may create their own specialization or cognate by selecting a linked set of 15 or more ESS credits as approved by their advisor and the ATS Department Chair
You may look at the details of each track by clicking on the track names below.
| Specialty Track |
| Atmospheric Science |
| Atmospheric Chemistry |
| GIS & Remote Sensing |
| Earth Ecosystems |
| Hydrology |
| Human Dimensions/Impacts |
Minor or Cognate Studies
In addition to the course requirements for the major, the ESS degree requires students to choose a minimum of 18 hours in a minor or a cognate studies area. Suggested minors include Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science, Mathematics, Education or Political Science. Cognate courses must be an educationally compatible combination of courses from more than one department. The ATS Department must approve courses in a cognate studies area. At least six hours must be upper division (300 or above) credit.
Earth System Science Minor
The Earth System Science Minor consists of ESS 102, 111, 305, 321, 370 and at least two additional ESS courses, one of which is 300 level or above.
General Education Requirements for ESS B.S. Degree
College of Science GER Checklist
(Updated August , 2012)
Coordinator: Dr. Sundar A. Christopher, Professor and Chair, Department of Atmospheric Science
General Education Requirements (GER) for the proposed ESS program will be as stated in the current university catalog.
Area I - English Composition |
6 |
| English Composition: EH 101-102 | |
Area II - Humanities and Fine Arts |
12 |
| Fine Arts: ARH 100, 101; ARS 160; MU 100, 101; or CM 122 | 3 |
| Literature*: EH 205-206, 205-241, 206-240, 240-241, 205-230, 240-230, 250-251 (acceptable pairings are listed) | 3-6 |
| Humanities and Fine Arts: CM 113 and PHL 202 (required) | 6 |
| *Students must complete a two-course sequence in literature or history | |
Area III - Natural Science and Mathematics |
11-12 |
| Mathematics: MA 120 or 171 | 3-4 |
| Natural Science: PH 101, 102 or 111/114, 112/115 | 8 |
Area IV - History, Social and Behavioral Sciences |
12 |
| History*: HY 101-102, HY 103-104, or HY 221-222 | 3-6 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences: PSC 101, 102, 260, PY 101, 201, SOC 100, 200, ECN 142, 143, GY 110 | 6-9 |
| *Students must complete a two-course sequence in literature or history | |
Area V - Preprofessional and Elective Courses |
14 |
| Science or Engineering course outside major: CH 121/125, 123/126 or CH101/105, 201/205 | 8 |
| Computer Science: CS 102 | 3 |
| Technical Writing: EH 301 | 3 |
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