Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
Minor in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
The Minor in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences offers students a flexible option to either explore the interacting systems of the solid earth and atmosphere, or focus course work in Earth sciences or Atmospheric Sciences.
Requirements
The minor requires at least 16 credit hours, including the requirements listed below.
- Introductory Course. One (1) course:
- Any EAS-A 100–199
- Any EAS-E 100–199
- Any EAS-X 100–199
- COLL-C 105 Critical Approaches to the Natural and Mathematical Sciences (approved topics only; see academic advisor)
COLL-C 105 Critical Approaches to the Natural and Mathematical Sciences
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Specific topics will vary by section and over time, but all versions of COLL-C 105 will meet the objectives of the College of Arts and Sciences Critical Approaches curriculum. The curriculum is intended for freshmen and sophomores, who will learn how scholars from the natural and mathematical sciences Breadth of Inquiry area frame questions, propose answers, and assess the validity of competing approaches. Writing and related skills are stressed.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of COLL-C 105 or COLL-S 105.
- Fall 2026CASE CAPPcourse
- Fall 2026CASE NMcourse
- Intermediate Course. One (1) course:
- EAS-E 225 Earth Materials
- EAS-E 226 Earth Processes
- EAS-E 227 Earth Climate and History
EAS-E 225 Earth Materials
- Credits
- 4
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- This course sequentially considers minerals, rocks, sediments, and soils; the materials that comprise the solid earth. The distribution and environmental significance of these materials are studied, as are their chemical and physical interactions with groundwater and plants. Three 50-minute lectures and one 2-hour laboratory per week. Laboratory attendance is required.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of EAS-E 221, EAS-E 225, GEOL-G 221, or GEOL-G 225 .
- Fall 2026CASE NMcourse
EAS-E 226 Earth Processes
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Introduction to the processes that shape our planet, the composition and structure of Earth, and the erosion and deposition of sediments at the surface. Study of processes ranging from forces driving plate motion, fluid flow in and on the earth, crustal deformation and mountain building, erosion of source terrain, the transport system, and the depositional record.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of EAS-E 226 or GEOL-G 226.
- Fall 2026CASE NMcourse
EAS-E 227 Earth Climate and History
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Earth's climate is linked to geological processes and life on our planet. Covers climate systems in the context of changes in continents, atmospheric composition, and life on land and in the oceans. Focuses on interactions between humans and climate and how climate and its variability are tied to Earth systems.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of EAS-E 227 or GEOL-G 227.
- Fall 2026CASE NMcourse
- Advanced Courses.
- 300-Level Course. One (1) course:
- Any EAS-A 300–399
- Any EAS-E 300–399
- Any EAS-X 300–399
- 400-Level Course. One (1) course:
- Any EAS-A 400–499
- Any EAS-E 400–499
- Any EAS-X 400–499
- 300-Level Course. One (1) course:
- Minor Hours and Minimum Grade Requirements.
- Minor Residency. At least 9 credit hours in the minor must be completed in courses taken through the Indiana University Bloomington campus or an IU-administered or IU co-sponsored Overseas Study program.
- Minor Upper Division Courses. At least 9 credit hours in the minor must be completed at the 300-499 level.
- Minimum Grade. A grade of C- or higher is required for a course to count toward a requirement in the minor.
Minor Area Courses
-
Unless otherwise noted below, the following courses are considered in the academic program and will count toward academic program requirements as appropriate:
- Any course at the 100–499 level with the
EASsubject area prefix—as well as any other subject areas that are deemed functionally equivalent - Any course contained on the course lists for the academic program requirements at the time the course is taken—as well as any other courses that are deemed functionally equivalent—except for those listed only under Addenda Requirements
- Any course directed to a non-Addenda requirement through an approved exception
- Any course at the 100–499 level with the
This program of study cannot be combined with the following:
- Area Certificate in Atmospheric Science [ATMSCIACRT]
- Bachelor of Science in Earth Science and Master of Science in Secondary Education [EAS-BSMSED]
- Major in Atmospheric Science (Bachelor of Science) [EGEBS_M01]
- Major in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (Bachelor of Arts) [EGEBA_M01]
- Major in Earth Science (Bachelor of Science) [EGEBS_M02]
- Major in Environmental Geoscience (Bachelor of Science) [EGEBS_M03]
- Minor in Atmospheric Science [ATSCIMIN]
- [Name unavailable] [GEOLBA]
- [Name unavailable] [GEOLBS]
- [Name unavailable] [GEOLMIN]
- [Name unavailable] [GEOLSASCON]
Exceptions to and substitutions for minor requirements may be made with the approval of the unit's Director of Undergraduate Studies, subject to final approval by the College of Arts and Sciences.