Environmental Earth Systems Science, Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
Program Requirements
The EESS Program leads to a Bachelor of Science degree whereas its sister program Earth System Science and Environmental Engineering leads to a Bachelor of Engineering degree (see the Engineering Section of this Bulletin). The two programs share some of the lower and upper division courses, but do not have the same requirements. In the EESS Program, students can choose between concentrations in Environmental Geochemistry, Hydrology/Climate, and Ecosystems/Environmental Science. Flexibility within EESS is achieved by creating a core sequence of essential courses and choosing from a relatively large number of electives. This allows a student to focus on specific career objectives.
Students entering the EESS major will be advised by the EESS general advisors, Professor Pengfei Zhang and Dr. Angelos Lampousis. By year three, students are expected to declare a concentration from the options listed below and create an appropriate program of study from the list of approved Elective Courses.
Requirements for EESS Majors
A GPA of 2.0 or higher in the major is required for graduation. The GPA in the major is calculated from courses in the major based in the major department only, which have been taken at City College or through ePermit, including all courses in excess of the minimum required for the degree.
All EESS majors must take the basic mathematics and science courses and the Major Requirements listed below. In addition, each student will complete the requirements for one of the three concentrations listed. Courses marked with * must be completed with a minimum grade of C.
Foundational courses for the EESS program must be completed before embarking upon related courses in the major. Students with appropriate background as demonstrated by the College’s Placement Exam may be exempted from some or all Foundational Courses. The foundational course for Calculus I (Math 20100) is Pre-Calculus (Math 19500), and this course must be passed with a grade of C or higher in order to proceed to the next level.
Required Science Courses (includes Science and Math Requirements in General Education Core):
One of the following two courses:
| EAS 10600 | Earth Systems Science | 4 |
| ENGR 10610 | Introduction to Earth System Science and Engineering | 4 |
Required Mathematics courses:
Major Requirements:
One of the following two courses
Total Required Credits 57-59
Technical Electives for Student's Concentration
27 credits of electives from one of the following concentrations:
Concentration 1: Environmental Chemistry:
A minimum of 5 additional courses in Chemistry, plus additional electives, both from the Program Technical Electives List below, to reach 27 credits.
Concentration 2: Hydrology and Climate:
Additional electives from the Program Technical Electives List below to reach 27 credits.
Concentration 3: Ecosystems and Environmental Science:
A minimum of 2 additional courses in biology, plus additional electives from the Program Technical Electives List below to reach 27 credits.
Total required credits plus technical electives 84-86
Total credits for graduation 120
Program Technical Electives:
Additional Requirements
General Education Requirements ("Pathways")
In general, students are required to complete 42 credits of General Education coursework, with some adjustments for transfer students. See the General Education Requirements (Pathways) section of the Bulletin for more information. Earth and Atmospheric Science students will satisfy their "Pathways" requirements most efficiently by following these recommendations:
Fixed Core
English Composition I:
| FIQWS | Freshman Inquiry Writing Seminar | 6 |
English Composition II:
Mathematical and Quantitative Reasoning:
Life and Physical Sciences:
Flexible Core
World Cultures and Global Issues:
any CLAS offerings in this category
Individual and Society:
any CLAS offerings in this category
U.S. Experience in its Diversity:
any CLAS offerings in this category
Creative Expression:
any CLAS offerings in this category
Scientific World:
Additional course in Scientific World:
College Option
Speech
or exemption on the basis of demonstrated proficiency
Foreign language
two semesters of college-level study, or exemption on the basis of two years of high-school level study, or demonstrated proficiency
Philosophy
Any approved CLAS offerings in this category.
Total Credit Hours Required for obtaining a B.S. degree: 120, at least 60 of which must be in the Liberal Arts and Sciences (RLA).