Department of Earth and Environmental Science

Undergraduate FAQs

Q. Can I sit in classes from this department without enrolling?
Q. Can I transfer credits from my past university? AP classes?
Q. Do I have to write a thesis if I major in this department?
Q. What makes a good senior thesis?
Q. What classes are recommended for the Geology major/minor?
Q. What makes the Honors Geology major different from the Geology major?
Q. What classes are recommended for the Paleobiology major?
Q. What classes are recommended for the Environmental Studies major/minor?
Q. What classes are recommended for the Sustainability and Environmental Management minor?
Q. Which EES courses also fulfill college requirements?
Q. What is the best way to get involved with ongoing research in the department?
Q. How can I become more involved in the department?
Q. How can I learn about related research outside the EES department?
Q. How do I declare an ENVS or Earth Science major, and how do I choose between the majors?
Q. Can i double count classes toward my major and minor?

Q. Can I sit in classes from this department without enrolling?
A. Contact the teacher of each course that you are considering to attend since different teachers have different opinions due to classroom-size constraints, etc.  A few do approve of class auditing, where the only difference with enrolling would be that auditing does not result in a letter grade on your transcript.  

Q. Can I transfer credits from my past university? AP classes?
A. See here

Q. Do I have to write a thesis if I major in this department?
A. Yes, if you are an environmental studies major, on the paleobiology track or an honors earth science major on the environmental science or geology tracks. In the spring semester of your junior year you must enroll in ENVS/GEOL399. In your senior year, you must enroll in ENVS/GEOL498 a and b (see your curriculum). This two-semester senior thesis seminar prepares you for your thesis and facilitates its completion, as well as readies you for the steps you will take after graduation. If you choose to complete the environmental science or geology tracks in the earth science major without honors, a thesis is not required.

Q. What makes a good senior thesis?
A. This will be discussed thoroughly in ENVS/GEOL 399 and 498. Take a look at past theses

Q. What classes are recommended for the Geology major/minor?
A.  The geology major combines geology courses with physics and chemistry for a total of 15 courses. The planner for the geology major can be found here.The geology minor requires 6 courses, one if which is GEOL100, and the other 5 can be chosen from a list of pre-approved courses. The planner for the geology minor can be found here

Q. What makes the Honors Geology major different from the Geology major? A. The honors major requires more credits, which means you must take more classes to complete the major. These credits can be fulfilled with chemistry, physics, math and/or advanced GEOL or ENVS classes. A thesis is also required for the honors geology major, as well as a 3.25 gpa in the major.

Q. What classes are recommended for the Paleobiology major? A. The Paleobiology major combines biology, geology, chemistry, math, and physics. The major also requires one upper level biology course and one upper level geology course. The planner for the major can be found here

Q. What classes are recommended for the Environmental Studies major/minor?
A. There are 8 required core courses for all Environmental Studies majors. The other classes can be chosen based on personal interest from the pre-approved courses for each concentration within the major (for a total of 15 courses). The planner for each concentration in the major can be found at the top of its page.
The minor has 4 required core courses, leaving 2 electives (for a total of 6 courses). Information on required courses and pre-approved electives can be found here

Q. What classes are recommended for the Sustainability and Environmental Management minor?
A. The Sustainability and Environmental Management minor combines classes from the EES department, Wharton, and the School of Engineering for 4 required courses and 2 electives. Information about the minor, as well which advisor to contact if you have questions, can be found here

Q. Which EES courses also fulfill college requirements?
A. This website actually tells you everything that you need to know about EES courses.

Q. What is the best way to get involved with ongoing research in the department?
A. The best way to get involved with ongoing research in the department is to take classes with professors whose research interests you, talk to other professors in the department, and consider talking to professors in charge of specific majors or the senior thesis. They can point you toward professors or help you get their attention. Also see our Resource website.

Q. How can I become more involved in the department?
A. Attend department seminars, events, spring panel, research presentations, outdoor events, join the Undergraduate Advisory Board (UAB), or look at the UAB calendar in Hayden lobby to keep track of UAB-sponsored events.

Q. How can I learn about related research outside the EES department?
A. Come to weekly seminars about research conducted by outside scientists, as well as graduate students and professors in the department who may know of outside research.

Q. How do I declare an ENVS or Earth Science major, and how do I choose between the majors?
A. If you have questions about the majors, talk to the Assistant Director, the Undergraduate Chair, Prof. Scatena, or visit our programs page where you can find descriptions of the majors, minors, and concentrations within each major. You may also want to talk with a MAP advisor: https://fission.sas.upenn.edu/sso/col/map/. Once you're ready to declare, see your college/academic advisor. They'll make your worksheet "official". Once it is official, fill out a planner for your chosen major/minor and make an appointment with the Associate Director to come in to declare.

Q. Can i double count classes toward my major and minor?
A. You can usually double count one class in your major with sector requirements. for the paleobiology and environmental science tracks, you can count two. If you double major, you will need to have 18 unique classes within your majors: http://www.college.upenn.edu/courses/policies/doublecount.php Keep in mind that some departments have additional policies so always check with your other major.

Please direct questions not answered here to the Earth and Environmental Science Associate Director of Undergraduate Programs or the Undergraduate Chair.