Earth and Planetary Sciences Major Requirements (B.A.)
(Also see Requirements for a Bachelor's Degree.)
The Bachelor of Arts in Earth and Planetary Sciences is for undergraduates interested in the study of the physical, chemical, and biological processes that shape the Earth and the other planets, drawing on the disciplines of geology, geochemistry, geophysics, hydrology, ecology, geobiology, oceanography, and atmospheric science.
Students must design a specific plan of appropriate courses in consultation with their advisor and the EPS Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS). Those who wish to be majors may proceed directly to the introductory courses at the 200-level, but depending on the student’s background, it may be appropriate initially to take a freshman seminar or 100-level course designed for the non-major. Our courses provide a broad educational base in the Earth, planetary, and environmental sciences and enable exploration of a set of electives at the 300- and 400-level, depending on the area of interest. Students who plan to attend graduate school are strongly encouraged to engage in undergraduate research and complete a senior thesis under the supervision of a department faculty member.
The department requires a total of 9-11 credits at the 100-level or above and 12 credits at the 300-level or above in Earth, planetary, and environmental sciences (numbered AS.270.xxx), as well as science and math foundation courses from other departments. No more than one environmental studies course numbered AS.271.xxx can be counted as an EPS elective for the major. Courses taken at another institution that are not directly equivalent to a JHU course may not apply towards these requirements without permission of the Director of Undergraduate Studies. All courses must be taken for a letter grade, and students must earn a grade of C- or better to apply the course to the major.
Writing and Communication in the Major
Students must complete at least 6 credits of Writing and Communication Foundational Ability coursework in one major. For this major, students would be able to fulfill this requirement by:
Option 1: Selecting 6 credits of elective courses in the major that are designated as Writing and Communications courses.
Option 2: Complete a senior thesis in the major, enrolling in AS.270.510 for 6 credits over 2 semesters in senior year. Prospective thesis advisors should be contacted in junior year. The DUS can assist in finding a thesis advisor.
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EPS Core Courses | ||
| AS.270.224 | Oceans & Atmospheres | 3 |
| AS.270.220 | The Dynamic Earth: An Introduction to Geology | 3 |
| AS.270.221 | The Dynamic Earth Laboratory | 2 |
| EPS Elective Courses 1 | ||
| One course at the 100-level or above (1-3 credits) | 1-3 | |
| Four courses at the 300-level or above (at least 3 credits each) | 12 | |
| Other Science & Math Courses | ||
| AS.030.101 | Introductory Chemistry I | 3 |
| AS.110.106 | Calculus I (Biology and Social Sciences) | 4 |
| or AS.110.108 | Calculus I (Physical Sciences & Engineering) | |
| AS.110.107 | Calculus II (For Biological and Social Science) | 4 |
| or AS.110.109 | Calculus II (For Physical Sciences and Engineering) | |
| or AS.110.113 | Honors Single Variable Calculus | |
| AS.171.101 | General Physics: Physical Science Major I | 4 |
| or AS.171.103 | General Physics I for Biological Science Majors | |
| or AS.171.107 | General Physics for Physical Sciences Majors (AL) | |
| AS.171.102 | General Physics: Physical Science Major II | 4 |
| or AS.171.104 | General Physics/Biology Majors II | |
| or AS.171.108 | General Physics for Physical Science Majors (AL) | |
| Total Credits | 40-42 | |
- 1
Only one environmental studies course numbered AS.271.xxx may apply towards the EPS major. Courses taken at another institution that are not directly equivalent to a JHU course may not apply towards these EPS elective course requirements without permission of the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
Other courses recommended to enrich the educational background of the major:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AS.030.102 | Introductory Chemistry II | 3 |
| AS.020.151 | General Biology I | 3 |
| AS.020.152 | General Biology II | 3 |
| Laboratory courses in the natural sciences | ||
| EN.553.291 | Linear Algebra and Differential Equations | 4 |
| Courses in Environmental Studies (AS.271.xxx) and/or Environmental Engineering (EN.570.xxx) | ||
Sample Program of Study
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Credits | Second Semester | Credits |
| AS.110.108 | 4 | AS.110.109 | 4 |
| AS.270.220 | 3 | AS.270.224 | 3 |
| AS.270.221 | 2 | ||
| 9 | 7 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| First Semester | Credits | Second Semester | Credits |
| AS.171.101 | 4 | AS.171.102 | 4 |
| AS.030.101 | 3 | AS.270.1xx-4xx | 3 |
| 7 | 7 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| First Semester | Credits | Second Semester | Credits |
| AS.270.3xx-4xx | 3 | AS.270.3xx-4xx | 3 |
| 3 | 3 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| First Semester | Credits | Second Semester | Credits |
| AS.270.3xx-4xx | 3 | AS.270.3xx-4xx | 3 |
| 3 | 3 | ||
| Total Credits 42 | |||
Honors in the Major
To earn honors in the major, students must meet the following criteria:
- Earn a GPA of 3.50 or higher in the major requirements by the end of the senior year.
- Complete a total of 6 credits of AS.270.510 Senior Honors Thesis taken over two or more semesters. A grade of B or better must be earned for the first 3 credits to register for additional thesis credits. A grade of B+ or better must be earned in the final semester in order to qualify for honors.
- Complete a senior thesis research project rated very good or excellent by the student’s thesis committee.
- Present the results of the thesis orally in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences.