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Earth Science - Bachelor of Arts 2023-24 Degree Map

Requirements (REQ) of a Bachelors Degree

Degree Maps show one way how you can earn a degree in four years. Talk with your advisor regularly to develop a personalized plan that works best for you, especially if you have any earned transferrable academic credit.

To graduate in four years, you need an average of 45 credits per year to reach 180 total credits, including 62 upper division (300/400 level courses) credits. You may need to take electives (courses that are not used to meet specific requirements) to reach those totals. Most courses at PSU are 4 credits each. If you transfer credit to PSU, the number of credits you need per year will vary accordingly. 

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This guide outlines the requirements in the 2023-24 catalog. Catalog year defines the specific set of requirements you need to complete a degree. Requirements occasionally change, so it may benefit you to follow a different catalog. Typically, your catalog year is the year you began at PSU, but if you are a transfer student you may be able to use an earlier catalog. Talk with your advisor about which catalog requirements make sense for you.

PSU Bulletins (2015-present) about this content

First Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter CoursesWinter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
Freshman Inquiry or Honors5Freshman Inquiry or Honors5Freshman Inquiry or Honors5
G 2013G 2023G 2033
G 2041G 2051G 2061
CH 2214CH 2224CH 2234
CH 2271CH 2281CH 2291
    G 2001
Total Fall Credits14Total Winter Credits14Total Spring Credits15

Second Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter Courses Winter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
Sophomore Inquiry or Honors4Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement3-4Sophomore Inquiry or Honors4
BI or PH Sequence5Math Option Course4STAT 243Z4
G 3183BI or PH Sequence5BI or PH Sequence5
G 3192G 3123G 3143
  G 3132G 3152
Total Fall Credits14Total Winter Credits17-18Total Spring Credits18

Third Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter CoursesWinter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
Upper Division Cluster or Honors4Upper Division Cluster or Honors4Upper Division Cluster or Honors4
BA Second Language 1013-5BA Second Language 1023-5BA Second Language 1033-5
G Upper Division Elective4G Upper Division Elective4G Upper Division Elective4
  G Sustainability Elective4G Sustainability Elective4
Total Fall Credits11-13Total Winter Credits15-17Total Spring Credits15-17

Fourth Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter CoursesWinter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
BA Second Language 2013-5BA Second Language 2023-5Senior Capstone or Honors Thesis6
G Upper Division Elective4Geology Elective4BA Second Language 2033-5
Geology Elective4BA Fine & Performing Arts3-4General Elective4
General Elective1Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement3-4  
Total Fall Credits12-14Total Winter Credits13-17Total Spring Credits13-15

 

Additional Map Notes:

  • G 205: G 207 (for 2 credits) is also available.
  • BI or PH Sequence: Chosen from BI 211/214, 212/215, 213/216 or PH 201/214, 202/215, 203/216.
  • Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement: Two courses required, each minimum 3 credits: one course must focus on the U.S. experience; the second course must center the experiences of groups under European and U.S. colonialism and imperialism beyond the United States. One must be within the School of Gender, Race and Nations or be cross-listed with one of the SGRN units: Black Studies (BSt), Chicano/Latino Studies (ChLa), Indigenous Nations Studies (NAS), or Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies (WS). If you choose a RESR course that can be applied towards another requirement, take an elective here instead.
  • Sophomore Inquiry or Honors: For University Studies, two Sophomore Inquiry courses are required, but for Honors, three Sophomore courses are required.
  • Math Option Course: Must complete MTH 251 or MTH 111Z & 212(prereq: MTH 211). See department for math options.
  • G Upper Division Elective and Geology Elective: See department for approved electives.
  • G Sustainability Elective: See department for course list.
  • You may need to add additional general elective credits to your plan to reach 180 total credits.

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