Majors and Minors
Majors and Minors
Students in the Department of Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences select one of four concentrations to obtain the BS degree in Geology and Environmental Studies. Additionally, the department offers 4 minors for students, regardless of their major degree. Students interested in pursuing a degree in one of our majors, minors, or honors programs are strongly encouraged to reach out to the respective advisors for each program. Program advisors can assist students with course selection and career preparation.
Geology and Environmental Studies Major, BS
Environmental Studies Concentration
The Environmental Studies concentration curriculum draws on the interconnections among biological sciences, Earth sciences, and social sciences with a focus on sustainability and environmental quality. Students can choose from among many courses of interest across a broad range of fields.
Environmental studies graduates will be prepared to enter a variety of fields in the environmental sciences, public sector, and private sector, or to pursue graduate education.
Geology Concentration
The Geology concentration emphasizes the fundamental physical, chemical, and biological processes on and in the Earth. Graduates will find that it provides a path to private and public employment in a variety of fields within the geosciences, and science education, as well as being excellent preparation for graduate school.
Paleontology Concentration
The Paleontology concentration is designed to provide students with broad training in the geosciences, with a focus on the interactions of the biological, physical, and chemical components of the Earth system through time. This program prepares graduates with training in the knowledge and skills necessary for careers in academia, museums, state and federal agencies, environmental consulting, K-12 education, and public outreach.
UT Catalog (available Fall 2025)
uTrack (available Fall 2025)
Planetary Geoscience Concentration
A concentration in Planetary Geoscience consists of 37 credit hours. This concentration is for undergraduate students who want to pursue a career in applying geoscience skills to extraterrestrial bodies. Students will gain a strong geoscience background with the flexibility to supplement with additional courses tailored to their specific interest in the planetary field (i.e., remote sensing, astrobiology, etc.). Students in this concentration will develop analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills they can put to work in careers in scientific research, planetary mission development and support, teaching, and related fields.
Water Science Concentration
Do you want to use science to address one of humanity’s greatest challenges? Water quality and quantity are of global importance. Humans cannot survive without access to clean and abundant water resources. Rapid changes in the coming decades will require graduates who have been prepared to face these specific challenges.
The Water Science concentration will provide a path to employment in water-related professions with private and public entities, as well as preparation for graduate education.
Geology and Environmental Studies Minors
Environmental Studies Minor
The Environmental Studies minor draws on the interconnections among biological sciences, Earth sciences, and social sciences with a focus on sustainability and environmental quality. Students can choose from among many courses of interest across a broad range of fields in environmental science and geoscience.
Geology Minor
The Geology minor emphasizes the fundamental physical, chemical, and biological processes on and within the Earth. The minor is ideal for students pursuing careers in fields that benefit from an understanding of earth resources, natural hazards, and the environment, including biosciences, business, journalism, law, public policy, supply chain management, and education.
Geochemistry Minor
The Geochemistry minor is for undergraduate students who want to support their major with a general background in geosciences and a selection of courses that will expose them to the chemistry of Earth materials. Students may choose a curriculum in either Solid Earth or Aqueous Geochemistry. This minor will help prepare students for careers in scientific research, teaching, environmental consulting, mining and minerals industries, government oversight, and related fields.
Solid Earth Advisor: Dan Hembree
Paleontology Minor
The Paleontology minor is for undergraduate students seeking a general background in geosciences and biological sciences with a focus of the history of life on Earth. This minor will help students develop analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills to help prepare them for successful careers in science, education, consulting, museums, government, and other related fields.
Honors Programs
Requirements
Each Geology and Environmental Studies concentration offers an Honors degree option.
The requirements for the honors option are:
- Fulfill all requirements for a concentration of the Geology and Environmental Studies degree
- Maintain an overall GPA of at least 3.25
- Maintain a concentration GPA of at least 3.5
- 9 hours of honors-by-contract coursework chosen from: approved 300- and 400-level EEPS courses, EEPS 491 Foreign Study, EEPS 492 Off Campus Study, and EEPS 493 Independent Study.
- 3 hours of EEPS 497 Honors Senior Thesis (with a written and oral presentation of thesis)
Getting Started
1. Talk to your concentration faculty advisor about the Honors program.
2. Change your DARS track to Honors Geology and Environmental Studies.
3. Submit paperwork for Honors-by-Contract courses each semester. Submit an Application Form (by the end of the third week of the semester) and a Completion Form (by the grade deadline) each semester you take an Honors-by-Contract course. Work with the course instructor to complete these forms.
4. Keep track of your overall and concentration GPA.
5. Identify a faculty member to work with on an Honors Thesis. Discuss options with your concentration faculty advisor or graduate and other undergraduate students in EEPS.
How to apply
Follow these steps:
- Register for a GoVols account OR apply via CommonApp
- Are you going to arrive as a first-year student? Here’s what you need to know.
- Are you a transfer student? Here’s what you need to know.
- Are you an international student? Here’s what you need to know.
When registering for classes, request classes in Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences. They will help you select the course that is best for you. If you want to browse our course now, feel free!
