Global and Environmental Change

• Introduction
• Program of Study
• ESGS Department
• ESP Department
• Curriculum
• Concentrations
• Contact Information

Introduction

The B.S. Degree in Global and Environmental Change, one of the first of its kind in the nation, distinguishes itself from other degrees in the natural sciences in that it examines, from local, regional and global scales the dynamics of Earth’s systems and their interactions: the geosphere, the atmosphere, the ecosphere and the sociosphere. In addition, it emphasizes the dynamic and changing Earth systems and the use of Earth observing/remote sensing and related geoinformation technologies in detecting changes. This degree builds on the traditions in Global Change and Environmental Science research and education at Mason, dating to the late 1970’s. It is jointly run by the Departments of Earth Systems & GeoInformation Science (ESGS) and Environmental Science & Policy (ESP).

Program of Study

In addition to satisfying the university-wide general education requirements for the B.S. degree, 24 credits of which overlap with the major, students must complete a total of 22 credits in Global and Environmental Change core courses, 13 credits in Geosphere and Atmosphere, 12 credits in Ecosphere and Sociosphere, 6 credits in Applications & Techniques of Detecting Global Change, 18-22 credits in Supporting Sciences and Mathematics and 27-31 credits in Electives selected in consultation with an advisor, with a minimum GPA of 2.00. GMU Students must complete a minimum of 120 credits for a B.S. degree.

Curriculum Requirementss

Through the course work listed below, Global and Environmental Change majors satisfy university-wide General Education requirements in natural science, quantitative reasoning, information technology, global understanding, social science, and synthesis

• Six required core courses in Global and Environmental Change (22 credits): EOS 121-122 or EVPP 110-111; plus EOS 353; EOS 305 or GEOL 305; GEOG 300 or BIOL 312; and EOS 304.
• Four required courses in the Geosphere and Atmosphere (13 credits): GEOL 101(4) or PHYS 243-244 (4); plus 3 courses from: EOS 310, 312, 320; GEOG 309, 399; GEOL 317, 306, 309, 303; EVPP 490.
• Four required courses in the Ecosphere and Sociosphere (12 credits): GLOA 101 or GEOG 101 or CEIE 100; and GEOG 103 or ANTH 135; and BIOL 371 or EVPP 377; and 1 from: BIOL 318, BIOL 345, EOS 322, EOS 306, EVPP 336, EVPP 337, EVPP 350, EVPP 449 or GEOG 303.
• Two required courses in the Applications & Techniques of Detecting Global Change (6 credits): choose two from EOS 303, 354, 410, 455, 495, GEOG 412, 416, 463, GEOL 303.
• Two required Supporting Sciences Sequence courses beyond General Education requirements (8 credits): CHEM 211, 212 (8); or PHYS 243-244 (3-1), 245-246 (3-1) ; or ASTR 111-112 (4), 112-114 (4); or GEOL 101-102 (8); or BIOL 103-104 (8)
• Four required Supporting Mathematics and IT courses (14 credits): MATH 113 & 114 (8), STAT 250/ IT 250 (3), IT 103 (3).
• General Electives (27-31 credits)

In meeting the above requirements, students may choose a focus in environmental or global change. Students should plan a program of study in consultation with their advisor as appropriate for their selected track.

Contact Information