Bachelor of Science in Earth Sciences: Hydrology Emphasis – GEOL Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) Roadmap

This is a sample pathway for students who transfer to San Francisco State University in the current Bulletin year with an AS-T in Geology. Twenty-six units in the major (CHEM 115, CHEM 215, CHEM 216, ERTH 210, ERTH 500, ERTH 505, MATH 226, and 2 elective units) and all lower-division GE requirements have been satisfied. Additional units in the major may have been satisfied. Check with a major advisor about the most appropriate course sequence. Degree completion guaranteed in 60 units; see the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) section for more information.

To do at SF State:

Enough total units to reach 120 minimum for graduation; 30 units minimum at the upper-division level; to include the following:

University-Wide Requirements: 9-15 units

  • American Institutions (0-6 units): US History, US Government, California State and Local Government requirements if not taken before transfer.
  • Upper-Division GE, Areas B, C, and D (9 units): Courses required for the major may double-count if approved for UD GE.
  • Students transferring with the AS-T in Geology are not required to fulfill SF State Studies or Complementary Studies requirements.

Earth Sciences Major (Emphasis in Hydrology): 42-43 units

[CHEM 115, MATH 226, ERTH 210, ERTH 500, ERTH 505, and 7 units of Hydrology emphasis electives, 5 units of CHEM 215 and CHEM 216, 1 unit of 4 units of Historical Geology, and 1 unit of 4 units of Calculus II in the Geology AS-T met in transfer.

  • Basic Science & Math Foundation (8 units in PHYS): If some or all PHYS completed before transfer, consult with a major advisor about appropriate course choices.
  • Earth Sciences Core/GWAR (8 units): Three of the 4 units of Historical Geology in the AS-T substitute for ERTH 500, and 3 of the 4 units of Calculus II in the Geology AS-T substitute for ERTH 505.
  • Hydrology Emphasis (17 units)
  • Electives (5 units): Five units of CHEM 215/CHEM 216, 1 unit of 4 units of Historical Geology, and 1 unit of Calculus II in the Geology AS-T satisfy 7 units of the 12 unit elective requirement; if taken before transfer, Mineralogy satisfies 4 units of the elective requirement. If Mineralogy completed before transfer, consult with a major advisor about appropriate course choices.
  • Culminating Experience (4-5 units): Take ERTH 690 (1 unit) along with one of the following three options: Senior Honors Thesis (ERTH 697/ERTH 698 (2 units each); Senior Project (ERTH 695, 3 units); or Field Geology course (4 units) offered as a summer field camp, typically the summer following the 4th semester.

University Electives: 4 or more units

Depends on course choices made at the community college, how transferred units are applied to the requirements above, Culminating Experience option selected, and course choices at SF State. Some courses may meet more than one requirement, e.g., both in UD GE and in the major.

Plan of Study Grid
First SemesterUnits
ERTH 400 Earth Systems I (Major Core) 3
ERTH 425 Geomorphology (Major Emphasis) 4
Select One Set of Courses (Science and Math Foundation): 1 4
General Physics I
and General Physics I Laboratory (B1, B3)
General Physics with Calculus I
and General Physics with Calculus I Laboratory (B1, B3)
University Elective 4
 Units15
Second Semester
ERTH 205 Techniques in Earth Sciences (Major Core) 2
ERTH 600GW Earth's Climate History - GWAR (Major Core) 3
Select One Set of Courses (Science and Math Foundation): 1 4
General Physics II
and General Physics II Laboratory
General Physics with Calculus III
and General Physics with Calculus III Laboratory
Hydrology Emphasis Elective (5 units) - Take One 2 3
GE Area UD-C: Upper-Division Arts and/or Humanities 3
 Units15
Third Semester
ERTH 430 Major Emphasis
ERTH 442/GEOG 342 Surface Water Hydrology (Major Emphasis) 4
ERTH 444 Hydrogeology (Major Emphasis) 4
ERTH 697 Undergraduate Research (Major Culminating Experience) 3 2
or University Elective
Hydrology Emphasis Elective (5 units) - Take One 2 2
 Units12
Fourth Semester
ERTH 544 Groundwater Contamination (Major Emphasis) 3
ERTH 690 Earth Sciences Capstone Presentation (Major Culminating Experience) 1
Major Culminating Experience - Select One: 3 2-4
Senior Project
Senior Thesis
Field Geology 4
GE Area UD-B: Upper-Division Physical and/or Life Sciences 5 3
GE Area UD-D: Upper-Division Social Sciences 3
U.S. and California Government 3
or University Elective if US/CA Government met before transfer
 Units15-17
 Total Units57-59
1

PHYS 111/PHYS 112 are prerequisites for PHYS 121/PHYS 122. PHYS 220/PHYS 222 are prerequisites for PHYS 240/PHYS 242.

2

Hydrology Emphasis Electives (5 units)

Select (upon advisement) additional Hydrology emphasis electives needed to reach 34 units. (May include courses from the list above not selected to meet emphasis requirements.)

3

Take ERTH 697 if selecting Honors Thesis as the Major Culminating Experience. Take University Elective if selecting either ERTH 695 - Senior Project or Field Geology as the Major Culminating Experience.

4

Four unit Field Geology option typically takes place during the summer following the 4th semester.

5

Consult with a department advisor about selection of ERTH course for UD-B.