Earth & Space Sciences

College of the Environment

The Bachelor of Science in Earth and Space Sciences is designed for students interested in geology and geophysics, and a career path in graduate studies or in the private sector where field and technology experiences and problem-solving skills are an important asset. Students pursuing the B.S. in Earth and Space Sciences choose from one of four options: Geology, Biology, Physics, or Environmental Earth Sciences. The Bachelor of Arts in Earth and Space Sciences enables students to obtain a broad understanding of earth sciences as a background for professional careers such as science journalism, environmental law, science education, and environmental policy.

 

Major category: Open

Minor available

Curricular options: B.A., B.S. Biology, B.S. Geology, B.S. Physics, B.S. Geoscience

Topic: Computing, Natural sciences, Engineering-option

website   Degree requirements

Applicant type

Freshman

Freshmen can apply to the UW to begin autumn quarter or winter quarter (U.S. applicants only)

Read more about applying to the UW as a freshman, including details for programs that provide high school students with college credit (like Running Start).


Transfer

Quarters of general admission to UW: autumn / winter (U.S. applicants only) / spring

Preparation for the major is a factor in transfer admission.

  • Use the information below to help you prepare for this degree
  • Visit MyPlan to run a degree audit.
  • Use the UW Equivalency Guide to find out how courses taken at a Washington state community or technical college will transfer to the UW.
  • UW college and school graduation requirements

Department admission information

  • Departmental application deadline:
  • Please contact the department for details about the application process.

Admission to this major is open. Students in good academic standing may declare this major at any time.

Although admission is open, students are strongly encouraged to prepare for the major before transfer. Earth and Space Sciences offers several major options. For specific advice about which courses are best suited to which options, please contact Earth and Space Sciences Student Services.

To become a major, contact essadv@uw.edu for an advising appointment. Find more information on the Earth and Space Sciences website.

Read more about applying to the UW as a transfer student.

Courses recommended for the major:

Courses recommended for admission to Bachelor of Arts

One of the following sequences:

  • Q SCI 291 NSc RSN – Analysis for Biologists I , Q SCI 292 NSc RSN – Analysis for Biologists II
  • MATH 124 NSc RSN – Calculus Analytic Geometry I, MATH 125 NSc – Calculus Analytic Geometry II

One of the following courses:

  • PHYS 114 NSc RSN – General Physics, PHYS 117 NSc – General Physics Laboratory
  • PHYS 121 NSc RSN – Mechanics 1
  • CHEM 142 NSc RSN – General Chemistry
  • ESS 101 NSc – Introduction to Geology and Societal Impacts

Courses recommended for admission to Bachelor of Science

  • ESS 101 NSc – Introduction to Geology and Societal Impacts
  • CHEM 142 NSc RSN – General Chemistry
  • CHEM 152 NSc RSN – General Chemistry
  • MATH 124 NSc RSN – Calculus with Analytic Geometry I
  • MATH 125 NSc – Calculus with Analytic Geometry II
  • MATH 126 NSc – Calculus with Analytic Geometry III
  • PHYS 121 NSc – Mechanics 2
  • PHYS 122 NSc – Electromagnetism 2
  • PHYS 123 NSc – Waves, Light, and Heat 2

One of the following courses:

  • MATH 307 NSc – Introduction to Differential Equations
  • MATH 308 NSc – Matrix Algebra with Applications
  • STAT 311 NSc RSN – Elements of Statistical Methods

Notes:

For Bachelor of Arts:
10 Credits of science and math electives from the following list:
AMATH 301
ASTR 101, ASTR 102 or ASTR 301; ASTR 115, ASTR 150, ASTR 201
ATMS 101, ATMS 111, ATMS 211, ATMS 212 ATMS 301, ATMS 321
BIOL 161, BIOL 162, BIOL 180, BIOL 200, BIOL 220, BIOL 240
CHEM 152, CHEM 162, CHEM 220, CHEM 221
CSE 142, CSE 143
ESRM 210, ESRM 250
GEOG 360
MATH 126 or ESS 310
OCEAN 101, OCEAN 201, OCEAN 201, OCEAN 210
PHYS 115/118 or PHYS 122; PHYS 116/119 or PHYS 123
QSCI 381
STAT 180, STAT 220, STAT 290, STAT 311
Note to two-year transfers: It is recommended that these courses be taken at the community college.

1 PHYS 114/PHYS 117 can substitute for PHYS 121

For Bachelor of Science:

2 PHYS 114/PHYS 117, PHYS 115/PHYS 118, PHYS 116/PHYS 119 can substitute for PHYS 121, PHYS 122, and PHYS 123 for non-Physics Option students.

Entering transfer information:

Total undergraduates: 161
Total from Washington community colleges: 32

Entering transfer GPA (from WA community colleges):

3.75 – 4.00: 8
3.50 – 3.74: 11
3.25 – 3.49: 5
3.00 – 3.24: 5
2.75 – 2.99: 1
2.50 – 2.74: 2
2.49 and below: 0


Career outcomes