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Earth Sciences/Anthropology Combined Major B.A.

Information and Policies

Introduction

The Earth sciences/anthropology combined major is intended for students with interests in Earth sciences and the laboratory-based aspect of anthropology. These include anthropology students interested in archaeology or paleoanthropology who desire more intensive training in natural sciences and Earth sciences students interested in paleobiology or archaeology. The combined major provides a rigorous training in both anthropology and Earth sciences and will permit students to enter graduate programs in Earth sciences, archaeology, or paleoanthropology. The combined major has a significantly different set of cognate science and required lower- and upper-division courses than the standard major; therefore, students are advised to plan carefully and to contact academic advisors in the Earth and Planetary Sciences and Anthropology departments early if they have questions.

Academic Advising for the Program

A student who wants to become an Earth sciences/anthropology combined major should contact the Earth and Planetary Sciences Department undergraduate staff advisor,  epsadvising@ucsc.edu, as soon as possible. Students will submit a declaration of major petition, and are required to meet with the undergraduate advisor to plan their program in detail. Transfer students should consult the Transfer Information and Policy section for more detailed information about academic advising.

Getting Started in the Major

Welcome! Now that you are a registered freshman, the following information is your guide to getting started in your Earth sciences major.

All freshmen are required to complete summer orientation, for more information visit Campus Orientation Programs.  Our freshmen orientation includes everything you need to know to get started on your Earth science major. If you have already completed orientation and simply need a refresher on getting enrolled, see our Freshmen Enrollment Guide. 

Students with advanced placement credit must provide Admissions an official copy of your test score. You can verify your AP credit in your MyUCSC portal. For information on how your AP credit applies to your enrollment and your major, see our advanced placement credit page. If you have taken a college-level course that you would like credit for, you must send an official transcript to Admissions. If you wish to have that same course applied toward your major requirements, send an unofficial copy of your transcripts to epsadvising@ucsc.edu.

If you have already been admitted to UC Santa Cruz as a transfer student, our transfer orientation provides instructions on how to transfer your coursework to UC Santa Cruz, the advising and support available, and how to enroll. Our online transfer orientation provides all the critical information you need to transition to UC Santa Cruz and begin your major coursework.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students graduating with a B.A. in Earth sciences/anthropolgy should be able to:

  1. understand the processes governing the properties and evolution of Earth's interior and surface;
  2. identify rocks and minerals, and describe their connection to geologic processes;
  3. utilize algebraic mathematical tools to quantitatively address questions in the geosciences; and
  4. write in a clear, organized, and logical fashion using disciplinary standards for reporting and citation.

Major Qualification Policy and Declaration Process

Major Qualification

To qualify for the combined Earth sciences and anthropology major, a student must complete (with a minimum grade of C) one of the following introductory courses in physical geology:

EART 5California Geology

5
EART 10Geologic Principles

5
EART 20Environmental Geology

5

Transfer students may take an approved substitution for one of the above courses and should consult assist.org for equivalencies and the Transfer and Information Policy section for information about major qualifications.

Appeal Process

If a student completes major qualification courses but does not meet the major qualification criteria,  and appeals, the department may  accept or reject the appeal or place conditions on the student that will be resolved within at most one more enrolled quarter.

Students who are informed that they are not eligible to declare the major may appeal by submitting a letter to the Earth and Planetary Sciences advisor within 15 days from the date the notification was sent. Within 15 days of receipt of the appeal, the department will notify the student and their affiliated college of the decision.

How to Declare a Major

Students who wish to declare the Earth science major start the process by scheduling an appointment with the department staff advisor to create an academic plan. Once academic planning has been completed students submit the online major declaration petition to begin the major declaration process. Students are expected to complete the academic planning and online petition by the campus declaration deadline.

Transfer Information and Policy

Transfer Admission Screening Policy

The Earth and Planetary Sciences Department welcomes applications from prospective transfer students who are prepared for the major. Students should reference assist.org to determine course equivalencies. 

No major preparation courses are required prior to transfer; however, the following courses or their equivalents are recommended to ensure timely graduation:

One of the following options:
Either these courses
MATH 11ACalculus with Applications

5
MATH 11BCalculus with Applications

5
or these courses
MATH 19ACalculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics

5
MATH 19BCalculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics

5
All of the following courses:
ANTH 1Introduction to Biological Anthropology

5
ANTH 2Introduction to Cultural Anthropology

5
ANTH 3Introduction to Archaeology

5
Plus one of the following options:
EART 5California Geology

5
EART 5LCalifornia Geology Laboratory

1
OR
EART 10Geologic Principles

5
EART 10LGeologic Principles Laboratory

1
OR
EART 20Environmental Geology

5
EART 20LEnvironmental Geology Laboratory

1
Five lower-division science courses (plus laboratories) chosen from the following:

Where the lab course follows a lecture course the pair of courses counts as a single course.

BIOL 20ACell and Molecular Biology

5
BIOE 20BDevelopment and Physiology

5
BIOE 20CEcology and Evolution

5
CHEM 1AGeneral Chemistry

5
CHEM 1BGeneral Chemistry

5
CHEM 1MGeneral Chemistry Laboratory

2
CHEM 1CGeneral Chemistry

5
CHEM 1NGeneral Chemistry Laboratory

2
PHYS 6AIntroductory Physics I

5
PHYS 6LIntroductory Physics I Laboratory

1
PHYS 6BIntroductory Physics II

5
PHYS 6MIntroductory Physics II Laboratory

1

Prospective students are encouraged to prioritize recommended major preparation, and may additionally complete courses that articulate to UC Santa Cruz general education requirements as time allows.

Transfer students planning on attending UC Santa Cruz to pursue an Earth Sciences/Anthropology combined major should contact the undergraduate advisor for transfer preparation information and reference assist.org to determine which courses are equivalent to these courses. Having completed as much of this coursework as possible prior to transferring allows students greater flexibility in scheduling and completing their major.

Getting Started at UCSC as a Transfer Student

Whether you are planning for your future transfer or are already admitted to UC Santa Cruz, we aim to provide our transfer students the information and support needed to successfully complete a science degree at UC Santa Cruz. 

Once you have submitted your intent to register at UC Santa Cruz, here is a step-by-step guide to transferring your coursework and getting enrolled:

1.  Confirm you are a proposed Earth sciences/anthropology major.

If you are not sure of your status, log on to your MyUCSC portal to view your proposed major. If your major is proposed Earth sciences/anthropology you are all set. If the proposed major listed is not Earth sciences/anthropology, you will need to meet with the advisor for Earth sciences.

2.  Once your courses have been articulated, you will receive an email from our office.
This email will include information on how your coursework articulated, suggestions for fall enrollment, and invite you to make an appointment to talk with your major advisor.

3.  Make an appointment to talk to an advisor.
Your confirmation email will include instructions for scheduling an advising appointment. Appointments are available either by phone or in person.

4.  Participate in Transfer Orientation and Welcome Week.
Transfer orientation provides instructions on how to transfer your coursework to UC Santa Cruz, the advising and support available, and how to enroll. Our online transfer orientation provides all the critical information you need to transition to UC Santa Cruz and begin your major coursework.

The department also hosts a transfer student welcome in the fall that provides new transfer students an opportunity to meet other transfer students, familiarize themselves with the campus and the available resources. Welcome Week includes presentations on the Earth sciences majors, including an overview of the field courses offered and an introduction on how to get involved in undergraduate research.

5.  Declaring the Earth Sciences/Anthropology combined major.

In order to declare the Earth sciences/anthropology combined major transfer students must complete EART 5, or EART 10 or EART 20 or an approved equivalent course  (with a C or better) and meet with the Earth and Planetary Sciences Department advisor by the declaration deadline.

Welcome, we look forward to meeting you!

Letter Grade Policy

This program, Earth sciences/anthropology, does not have a letter grade policy. Students must adhere to the campus letter grade policy.

Course Substitution Policy

Relevant courses taken at UC Santa Cruz or other institutions may be substituted for degree requirements by approved petition. Please see the undergraduate advisor for the substitution petition form and more information about this process.

Honors

Honors in the major (all concentrations) and in the combined major with anthropology are determined by a review of grades (typically 3.50 or above) at the time a student applies for graduation. A faculty committee makes the decision based on the quality of all coursework, but especially in the courses required for the major. Extra coursework or independent study as well as more intensive or rigorous coursework and the quality of a capstone project may also be taken into consideration. Highest honors may also be awarded in exceptional cases when a student’s overall grade point average (GPA) is above 3.75 and performance in the senior capstone requirement is equally outstanding. The department reserves the right to withhold honors and highest honors based on other criteria, such as an incident of academic dishonesty.

Honors on the senior thesis are determined independently of major honors, and must be approved by two faculty readers.

Requirements and Planners
Close All

Course Requirements

Lower-Division Courses

All of the following courses:
ANTH 1Introduction to Biological Anthropology

5
ANTH 2Introduction to Cultural Anthropology

5
ANTH 3Introduction to Archaeology

5
Plus one of the following options:
Either these courses
EART 5California Geology

5
EART 5LCalifornia Geology Laboratory

1
or these courses
EART 10Geologic Principles

5
EART 10LGeologic Principles Laboratory

1
or these courses
EART 20Environmental Geology

5
EART 20LEnvironmental Geology Laboratory

1
Plus one of the following options:
MATH 11ACalculus with Applications

5
MATH 11BCalculus with Applications

5
OR
MATH 19ACalculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics

5
MATH 19BCalculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics

5
Five lower-division science courses (plus laboratories) chosen from the following:

Where the lab course follows a lecture course the pair of courses counts as a single course.

BIOL 20ACell and Molecular Biology

5
BIOE 20BDevelopment and Physiology

5
BIOE 20CEcology and Evolution

5
CHEM 1AGeneral Chemistry

5
CHEM 1BGeneral Chemistry

5
CHEM 1MGeneral Chemistry Laboratory

2
CHEM 1CGeneral Chemistry

5
CHEM 1NGeneral Chemistry Laboratory

2
PHYS 6AIntroductory Physics I

5
PHYS 6LIntroductory Physics I Laboratory

1
PHYS 6BIntroductory Physics II

5
PHYS 6MIntroductory Physics II Laboratory

1

Upper-Division Courses

EART 110AEvolution of the Earth

5
EART 110LEvolution of the Earth Laboratory

2

Electives

At least three upper-division elective courses from upper-division Earth sciences offerings must be completed. EART 198 may not be used to satisfy this requirement.

Any four upper-division elective courses between five and seven units listed under the Anthropology Department’s biological, medical, environmental anthropology and archeology course subdivisions (see program statement for the anthropology B.A.).

Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement

At least two courses that are part of the DC requirement must be completed as part of the required upper-division courses.

Earth Sciences courses that are part of the DC curriculum are:
EART 100Vertebrate Paleontology

5
EART 101Invertebrate Paleobiology

5
EART 102Marine Geology

5
EART 104Geologic Hazards

5
EART 109Elements of Field Geology

5
EART 120Sedimentology and Stratigraphy

5
EART 140Geomorphology

5
EART 146Groundwater

5
EART 148Glaciology

5
EART 150Structural Geology

5
EART 160Planetary Science

5
EART 189BSummer Field Study

5
EART 191AClimate Change Science and Policy

5
EART 195Senior Thesis

5
EART 191CPractical Geophysics

5

EART 189B formerly EART 188B

Anthropology courses that are part of the DC curriculum are:
ANTH 100History and Theory of Biological Anthropology

5
ANTH 170History of Archaeological Theory

5
ANTH 194BChimpanzees: Biology, Behavior, and Evolution

5
ANTH 194LArchaeology of the African Diaspora

5
ANTH 194YArchaeologies of Space and Landscape

5

Courses may simultaneously satisfy both the DC requirement and the upper-division Earth sciences or anthropology elective requirement.

Comprehensive Requirement

One of the following:

Satisfactory completion of Anthropology 194-series (any senior seminar in physical anthropology or archaeology).

Satisfactory completion of EART 189A and EART 189B*, Geographic Information Systems with Applications in Earth sciences and Summer Field Internship.

Satisfactory completion of a senior thesis (EART 195) with faculty readers from both departments, which must include a significant element of independent research or original work and can only be undertaken after agreement is obtained from faculty members to supervise it (at least three quarters in advance of completion).

Satisfactory completion of a 5-credit internship (EART 198) under the guidance of an on-site supervisor, with coordination and prior approval of the Earth and Planetary Science Department’s internship director. The project must include a comprehensive final written report.

* EART 189A and EART 189B have as prerequisites EART 109 and EART 109L, EART 110A and EART 110L, and EART 110B and EART 110M.

Note: Courses used to satisfy the senior comprehensive requirement cannot also be used to fulfill the upper-division elective requirement.

Planners

Sample Four-Year Planner

Year Fall Winter Spring
1st (frosh) ANTH 1 ANTH 2 ANTH 3
    EART 10 & EART 10L
     
2nd (soph) MATH 11A or MATH 19A MATH 11B or MATH 19B CHEM, PHYS or BIO
ANTH elective CHEM, PHYS or BIO CHEM, PHYS or BIO
     
3rd (junior) EART 110A & EART 110L EART elective ANTH elective
CHEM, PHYS or BIO CHEM, PHYS or BIO EART elective
     
4th (senior) ANTH elective EART elective ANTH elective
Sr comp Sr comp Sr comp
     

In addition to the specific courses shown in these planners, a student must complete courses satisfying the CC, ER, IM, SR, and TA general education requirements.

Sample Two-Year Planner

This planner assumes that students have completed all lower-division requirements except ANTH 1 and EART 5 and EART 5L, or EART 10 and EART 10L, or EART 20 and EART 20L.

Year Fall Winter Spring
1st (junior) ANTH 1 EART elective EART elective
EART 5 & EART 5L ANTH elective ANTH elective
     
2nd (senior) ANTH elective



 		 ANTH elective



 		 ANTH 194+
or ANTH 196+
or EART 189A*
or sr thesis
(EART 195)†
EART 110A & EART 110L* EART elective  
(Sr thesis only)
EART 199†		 (Sr thesis only)
EART 199†		  

*Students who wish to complete their capstone with EART 189A and EART 189B should be aware that the following courses are prerequisites: EART 109 & EART 109L, EART 110A & EART 110L, and EART 110B & EART 110M. Students must also complete EART 189B in summer to fulfill the summer field capstone.

+Satisfactory completion of ANTH 194 or ANTH 196-series (any senior seminar in physical anthropology or archaeology) fulfills the capstone.

†Students expecting to write a senior thesis for their comprehensive requirement are required to contact the department at least three quarters before graduation to identify the intended project and faculty advisor. Senior theses usually require at least two or three quarters for completion.