Welcome to EMS: College Overview
Welcome to the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (EMS)!
After reviewing this information, you will:
- Recognize the characteristics and disciplines of the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (EMS)
- Become acquainted with the Ryan Family Student Center, a space for EMS undergraduates that includes advising and tutoring
- Identify advantages for your student of meeting with an adviser for academic guidance and planning
- Learn more about academic planning, entrance to major, and course selection for EMS
The EMS community is here to help your student succeed academically and take advantage of out-of-class opportunities. The more your student interacts with EMS community members, the better guidance we can provide on their Penn State journey. Your next step in connecting to EMS as a parent or family member is reviewing the content in this orientation module. You will learn more about:
1. Parents and Families Welcome to EMS: College Overview
2. The Ryan Family Student Center and EMS Resources for Your Student
3. Academic Tutoring for Your Student through the RFSC
4. Student Engagement Opportunities for Your Student through the RFSC
5. Academic Advising for Your Student in EMS
6. Academic Planning and Entrance to Major for EMS Students
7. Course Scheduling for EMS Students
8. What's Next for Your Student After Orientation?
Let us say again: Welcome to the Parents and Families of College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (EMS) students!
We are a small college within the large University. With approximately 40,000 students at University Park (UP), and 8,000 entering first-year students, only about 300 first-year students at UP are in EMS. Your student has the wide-ranging opportunities that the large university offers like clubs and organizations, education abroad, and everything that comes with a large campus -- including world-class faculty -- and the small community of the EMS college. Your student will get a small campus/community feel within the context of the large university.
In EMS, we are dedicated to our undergraduates in resources and space. We hope that in this information you will learn more about the people, services, and space available to our students.
What makes us Earth and Mineral Sciences?
Faculty, staff, and students study the earth, environment, energy, and the materials we use -- as well as the location of people and resources.
Five academic departments make up our college. Our programs and majors range from engineering (five of the UP engineering majors are in EMS), to STEM (science/technology/engineering/math) majors like Geosciences and Meteorology, to Geography which looks at the world from the science, social science and technology perspective.
What are the five departments in EMS and the majors in each?
Energy and Mineral Engineering
- Energy Business and Finance, B.S.
- Energy Engineering, B.S.
- Environmental Systems Engineering, B.S. -- select either option:
- Environmental Systems Engineering General Option
- Environmental Health and Safety Option
- Mining Engineering, B.S.
- Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering, B.S.
Geosciences
- Geosciences, select either:
- Geosciences, B.S.
- Geosciences, B.A.
- Geobiology, B.S.
- Earth Science, B.S.
- Earth Science and Policy, B.S.
Geography
- Geography -- select either:
- Geography, B.S.
- Geography, B.A.
Materials Science and Engineering
Materials Science and Engineering, B.S.
Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences
- Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences, B.S. -- select option:
- Atmospheric Science
- Environmental Meteorology
- General
- Weather Forecasting and Communications
- Weather Risk Management
The Ryan Family Student Center and EMS Resources for Your Student
Ryan Family Student Center -- a dedicated space for all EMS Undergrads!
What: Your student’s home for undergraduate education and services
Where: 014 Deike Building; phone 814-863-2751; studentcenter@ems.psu.edu
The physical space of the Ryan Family Student Center has been closed through Spring 2021 for remodeling and expanding.
We can't wait to show your student the improved space.
Updated information on how to connect with the RFSC (in person and/or virtually) will be available in their EMS Undergrad 2021-2022 Canvas course. This course will be available on your student’s Canvas dashboard before the start of the Fall 2021 semester.
Who?
- The Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education and the administrative staff
- Academic Advisers, recruiting coordinator, and the front desk staff
- Instructional team to assist with engagement opportunities, writing instruction and tutoring, and math instruction and tutoring
How?
- Provide academic services through advising
- Provide free tutoring in math, physics, and writing, for EMS undergrads during the fall and spring semesters
- Provide a director of student engagement to talk with students about opportunities outside the classroom
- Enroll all EMS Undergrads in an EMS Undergrad Canvas "course" to provide information; send announcements; and communicate with students. Students should check their Penn State email regularly!
When?
- Open 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday
- During the fall and spring semesters, Math, Physics, and Writing/Communication tutoring takes place on Monday through Thursday evenings
- For summer availability and hours, see the RFSC web site.
Why?
- EMS is dedicated to our undergraduate students. We provide advising, free math and writing tutoring, as well as space for our EMS students to feel welcome, study together, and be in community with the college.
Learn more here.
"The Ryan Family Student Center is great. It’s a one stop shop that has everything an undergraduate in EMS needs. You can drop by to grab a coffee in-between classes and review some notes. The RFSC also provides access to top notch advising and tutoring assistance. But most importantly, the student center is a great place to build lasting relationships with new people from all around the world who enjoy similar interests." Seamus Rother, senior, Energy Business and Finance major
Office of the Associate Dean for Educational Equity in EMS
Where? 104 Deike Building, 814-867-2455
Why? All EMS and RFSC programs and services take an active role in making everyone feel welcome and safe, and we support the University's commitment to diversity and inclusive excellence. The Office of the Associate Dean for Educational Equity is here to support your student's success and to connect your student to college and campus resources. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging play a central role in our college’s core mission to prepare our students to live, work, and lead in a global environment. We work to foster a community in which each member is actively included, feels a sense of belonging, and is inspired to succeed. The College of Earth and Mineral Sciences’ broad and multifaceted diversity efforts are inclusive of ethnicity, race, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ability, veteran status, socioeconomic status, first generation to college status, and religion -- and apply to students, faculty, staff, and leadership.
"The Office of the Associate Dean for Educational Equity has become my home in EMS. The faculty and staff are welcoming, insightful, and always willing to help students. The resources provided by the Office of the Associate Dean for Educational Equity have helped me secure scholarships, research positions, internships, and create relationships with faculty, staff, and other undergraduates which have elevated my academic career.”
Damian Archer, senior, Earth Science and Policy major
"The Educational Equity Office has provided me with a support system and a home away from home. Through the office, I have met students who have become lifelong friends and faculty members who have supported me in some of my toughest moments. The Educational Equity Office offers continuous support and opportunities for students of color while even adding extra perks such as snacks or space to eat your lunch.”
Bryttani Wooten, senior, Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences major and Geography minor
“Thanks to the Educational Equity staff, especially Victoria Sanchez and James Guyton, I have been given countless and priceless opportunities to succeed. They always had their door open for me no matter what, and they became family to me at Penn State.”
Carolina Navarro, senior, Energy Engineering major
Scholarships and Loans through EMS
In addition to conversations your student will have with the Office of Student Aid and the Bursar about costs of attendance, read more about EMS scholarships and loans for our students. Contact Ashlee Kochick, assistant director of endowment management, for more EMS-specific information (116 Deike Building; 814-863-4669; ank2@psu.edu).
EMS Library
The Fletcher L. Byrom Earth and Mineral Sciences Library provides access to textbooks, equipment and over 7 million research articles, book, maps and other resources. Located above the Ryan Family Student Center in 105 Deike Building, the library has group study rooms, a studio space, expert staff and is open evenings and weekends.
Academic Tutoring for Your Student through the RFSC
The RFSC offers free tutoring and academic assistance to EMS students in math, physics, and writing.
Math and Physics Tutoring and Assistance
Free tutoring is available to EMS students in all foundation math and physics courses: MATH 021 through MATH 251, and PHYS 211 and PHYS 212.
James Kelly, math instructor of MATH 140G and MATH 141G in EMS offers the tutoring with the help of his Leaning Assistants (LAs).
Day, time, location, and contact information for the tutoring will be available in the EMS Undergrad 2021-2022 Canvas course. That course will be available on your student’s Canvas dashboard prior to the start of the Fall 2021 semester.
Writing, Professional Documents, and Communication Tutoring and Assistance
Free writing and communication tutoring is available to EMS students. This extensive tutoring assists students with writing assignments for courses, communication assignments for courses (including speeches, presentations, lightening talks, etc.), writing for research, writing for professional development (including cover letters and resumes; awards and opportunities; etc.), and more.
Del Bright, Giles Writer-in-Residence offers the tutoring and resources with the help of her Graduate Assistants (GAs).
Day, time, location, and contact information for the tutoring will be available in the EMS Undergrad 2021-2022 Canvas course. That course will be available on your student’s Canvas dashboard prior to the start of the Spring 2022 semester.
Student Engagement Opportunities for Your Student through the RFSC -- Bringing Academics to Life
Students are encouraged to explore experiences beyond the classroom that enhance learning, and support the development of personal and professional skills.
Why is engagement important and valuable for students?
- develop relationships with faculty and other experts
- demonstrate how your major works outside the classroom
- form foundation skills to contribute to the solution of the world's most pressing problems
- gain skills valued by employers and graduate schools
What does engagement look like?
How students connect and get started?
Dr. Karen Marosi, director of student engagement, will have information in the EMS Undergrad 2021-2022 Canvas course (available on your student’s Canvas dashboard before Spring 2021 semester starts) on how to connect with her and programs to help you make the most out of the student Penn State Experience. In addition to the EMS Undergraduate Newsletter, she sends emails regularly with updates and opportunities. Students should be sure to check their Penn State email often.
How does EMS support and recognize accomplishments in engagement activities?
The Earth and Mineral Sciences Academy for Global Experience (EMSAGE) supports and recognizes accomplishment in academic scholarship, experiential learning, global literacy, and service.
Students can apply as early as their second semester to be part of the EMSAGE community and be mentored by upper-level students in all majors on ways to grow both personally and professionally while completing their degree. Students who complete nine significant achievements across the three areas of scholarship, experiential learning and global literacy, and service can apply in their senior year to be awarded the distinction of EMSAGE Laureate. At its heart, the EMSAGE community is a group of students dedicated to supporting each other in crafting their Penn State experience so they can graduate ready to solve society's most pressing problems.
Academic Advising for Your Student in EMS
Your student will work with advisers to review academic plans and progress!
The role of an adviser at Penn State will be different and more extensive than advisers and guidance counselors from your student's prior learning. The more your student sees their adviser and gets to know their adviser, the better the recommendations the adviser can provide. The best guidance comes from these pros! While it is tempting for your student to listen to friends and other students, or to only use online information, encourage them to talk with their adviser. Advisers know the University and the options, and can share ideas -- maybe some ideas your student didn't know existed!
How will an academic adviser assist your student? What can your student expect in meeting with an adviser?
- Discuss your student's educational goals
- Help your student understand the nature of academic programs
- Understand your student's particular concerns affecting academic progress
- Help your student to follow appropriate University procedures and to understand their purposes
- Help your student plan a course of study and give advice about courses and the adjustment of course loads
- Help your student to understand the relationships between General Education, University requirements, majors, research opportunities, internships, study abroad programs, and other academic experiences
- Refer your student to other resources as needed
Remember: Advisers advise, students decide! Your student's academic choices and future are their control. We want your student to be successful and are here to help, but your student will take the lead!
What is your student's role in the advising process?
- Learn and use information to assume final responsibility for course scheduling, program planning, and the successful completion of all graduation requirements
- Seek academic information to meet educational goals, and use the resources available to you in LionPATH, the University Bulletin, and Canvas
- Become knowledgeable about relevant policies, procedures, and rules of the University, college, and academic program
- Be prepared when contacting an adviser
- Consult with an adviser at least once a semester to decide on courses, review the accuracy of the degree audit, check progress towards graduation, and discuss the suitability of other educational opportunities provided by the University
Tips for your student in the first semester:
- Check Penn State email frequently and use Penn State email for all university business.
- Become familiar with LionPATH, the University Bulletin, and Canvas.
- Be responsible and professional in all interactions with Penn State faculty and staff.
- Schedule an appointment with the assigned adviser several weeks ahead of the date they are able to register for the next semester’s classes.
- Contact an adviser at the first sign of difficulty.
How does advising work and who will my student see in EMS?
There are three types of advisers in EMS, and students will have times where they see and use all three:
- RFSC advisers -- advisers in the Ryan Family Student Center (RFSC) are generalists who know about the college as a whole and the University policies and resources. We assist in general education selections, changes of major, academic difficulty, and all EMS programs/majors.
- Department advisers -- each of the five EMS departments has an adviser who works specifically with students intending a major in that department. We assist with department policies and major requirements, and changes of major into the department.
- Faculty Advisers -- faculty advisers work with students when they are in the major to discuss junior/senior year course selection and career goals.
What advisers will your student work with during the first year?
In the first year, your student will work with RFSC advisers and with advisers in the department (based on the EMS major your student is intending and exploring).
The RFSC advisers and the EMS Department advisers work together to form your student's EMS advising team. Your student will talk with one of these advisers in their Orientation Advising Appointment.
Academic Planning and Entrance to Major for EMS Students
Your student will use Penn State's Bulletin often for information about their intended major. In the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences section, your student can learn more about the EMS majors. Information for the major includes: how to get in to the major, program requirements, a suggested academic plan, and more.
How does your student plan courses for the first semester and beyond? What tools does your student use in Academic Planning?
Your student will view their intended EMS major of interest in the Bulletin and check the "suggested academic plan" section to see a sample of how the program requirements might be sequenced over the next eight semesters. Your student will meet with their assigned adviser regularly to discuss their progress and overall academic plans.
What does your student need to do to enter a major?
Remember: your student has been admitted to Penn State in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. Your student is a "pre-major" student. While your student is intending to study one of the majors in our college, they are not yet in the major.
Your student will view their EMS major of interest in the Bulletin and check the "how to get in" section to see the requirements to enter the major. The table below summarizes the entrance to major requirements for the EMS majors for students admitted to Penn State Summer 2021, Fall 2021, or Spring 2022.
Entrance to Major Requirements for EMS majors: Students Admitted Summer 2021, Fall 2021, Spring 2022
Major | Cumulative GPA | Minimum Requirements |
Earth Science and Policy (EARSP) | 2.00 | Third Semester Standing |
Earth Sciences (EARTH) | 2.00 | Third Semester Standing |
Energy Business and Finance (EBF) | 2.60* | 40-70 creditsà Require “C” or better: MATH 140, MATH 141, and ECON 102 |
Energy Engineering (ENENG) | 2.00 | Third Semester Standing Require “C” or better: CHEM 110, CHEM 111, CHEM 112, MATH 140, MATH 141, MATH 231, PHYS 211, PHYS 212 |
Environmental Systems Engineering (ENVSE) | 2.00 | Third Semester Standing Require “C” or better: MATH 140, MATH 141, CHEM 110, PHYS 211, PHYS 212, and MATH 251 |
Geobiology (GEOBI) | 2.00 | Third Semester Standing |
Geography (GEOBA) | 2.00 | Third Semester Standing |
Geography (GEOBS) | 2.00 | Third Semester Standing |
Geosciences (GSCBA) | 2.00 | Third Semester Standing |
Geosciences (GSCBS) | 2.00 | Third Semester Standing Require “C” or better in MATH 140 |
Materials Science and Engineering (MATSE) | 2.00 | Third Semester Standing Require “C” or better, and a combined GPA of at least 2.50 in these courses: MATH 140, MATH 141, MATH 220, CHEM 110, CHEM 111, CHEM 112**, CHEM 113, and PHYS 211 |
Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences (METEO) | 2.00 | Third Semester Standing Require “C” or better in MATH 140 |
Mining Engineering (MNG E) | 2.00 | Third Semester Standing |
Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering (PNG E) | 2.60* | 40-59 creditsà Require “C” or better: MATH 140, MATH 141, CHEM 110, CHEM 112, and PHYS 211 |
*Administratively Enrollment Controlled
à Completed credits at The Pennsylvania State University (not including transfer, AP, etc.)
**CHEM 112 or MATSE 112 fulfills this requirement.
Keys to academic success for your student:
- Come out of the gate strong! Start courses with good study habits and continue that momentum throughout the semester.
- For every hour in class, your student should expect to spend 2-3 hours outside of class. If they are taking 15 credits in the fall semester, that is 15 hours in class plus 30-45 hours outside of class in studying.
- Being a student is their full-time "job".
- Prepare for class by reading the text and familiarizing themselves with the material that will be covered; then attend class and take good notes; and then review those notes and complete any homework after class.
- Get to know professors and the teaching assistants (TAs).
- Remember that the Ryan Family Student Center (RFSC) has free tutoring available in Math and Writing on Monday through Thursday evenings during the fall and spring semesters. Math tutoring provides assistance for any math course from MATH 21 through MATH 251. Writing tutoring provides assistance for course assignments, oral presentations, cover letters, resumes, research proposals, and more. Encourage your student to take advantage of this assistance for EMS students!
- Penn State Learning offers free tutoring and guided study groups for many courses. Encourage your student to take advantage of the assistance offered through Penn State.
- Encourage your student to meet with their adviser to discuss any academic concerns or questions, and be guided to the campus resources.
Course Scheduling for EMS Students
The modules your student will work through in their orientation Canvas course has prepared them to use the Penn State Undergraduate Bulletin and the orientation Course Planning Guide. These tools will give your student an idea of the courses they will select and schedule for their first semester. Your student's first semester schedule will be course selections in General Education and courses that prepare them for their intended major. As an EMS student, your student will likely be choosing an appropriate:
GWS/Writing and Speaking (for EMS students, this will be our EMSC 100S first-year seminar, see more information below)
GQ/Quantification
GN/Natural Science
Other General Education courses (ex: integrative studies, GA/Arts, GH/Humanities, GS/Social and Behavioral Sciences)
Encourage your student to be prepared for their Orientation Advising Appointment by following the steps outlined in their NSO Canvas Module on the EMS Course Scheduling and Preparing for your Advising Appointment page.
Selecting a GQ/Quantification course and a Math opportunity for EMS students:
Your student's first semester GQ/Quantification course will be selected by first determining the math/quantification needed for their intended major. Your student will find this information in the Penn State Undergraduate Bulletin and the orientation Course Planning Guide. Then, your student will use their prior math background and/or their ALEKS math assessment score to determine the best math course for their first semester.
If your student's Spring 2022 math selection will be MATH 140, they will have an option as an EMS student to select MATH 140G in the spring semester (followed by MATH 141G in the fall semester).
What makes MATH 140G different than MATH 140?
- MATH 140 can be taken by any Penn State student. MATH 140G can only be taken in the fall semester by students in EMS intending an EMS major.
- MATH 140G is taught by James Kelly, a math instructor in the Ryan Family Student Center (RFSC).
- MATH 140G does not have mid-term exams, but instead more frequent quizzes with the opportunity to retake some of them.
- Students learn to apply calculus using MS Excel, a skill they will use in their career.
- Math concepts are tailored to the applications used by majors in EMS.
- Students are prepared for upper-level math courses beyond MATH 141G (for example: MATH 251, MATH 230)
- Group study and tutoring sessions are provided by upper-level EMS teaching assistants and Professor Kelly in the RFSC on Monday through Thursday evenings.
During your student's orientation Individual Advising Appointment, an adviser will talk with your student about the most appropriate math selection for the first semester.
Selecting GWS/Writing and Speaking as an EMS student -- the first-year seminar:
EMSC 100S is a three credit First-Year Seminar course in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. This course will:
- Fulfill the University requirement for a first-year seminar.
- Fulfill 3 credits of General Education GWS/Writing and Speaking requirement.
- EMSC 100S has been approved by the University as a GWS course. Depending on the EMS major, it most often replaces the University GWS requirement of CAS 100 (Effective Speech).
- EMS students take ENGL 15 (Rhetoric and Composition) in the second semester.
- All EMS 100S sections are taught in small sections (maximum of 24 students per section) by senior members of the EMS faculty.
- Topics and focus areas for the EMSC 100S sections vary based on the expertise of the faculty.
All EMS students will select a section of EMSC 100S, the first-year seminar in Earth and Mineral Sciences, for their first semester.
During your student's orientation Individual Advising Appointment, an adviser will talk with your student about the most appropriate math selection for the first semester, EMSC 100S, and additional first-semester course recommendations for their intended major.
What's Next for Your Student After Orientation?
Encourage your student to check their Penn State email regularly and often! Being in the habit of checking and reading Penn State email is vital to your student's success -- and, establishing good email habits as a student prepares them for post-college life as a professional. Encourage them to start now by checking Penn State email regularly after orientation, and throughout their Penn State career.
What's Next in EMS?
Your student should watch for an email sent to their Penn State email address from their assigned academic adviser! This will be sent within a few weeks after orientation.
Your student should watch for emails and announcements about opportunities for connection over the summer with the RFSC and/or the EMS departments. Students are encouraged to take advantage of these events to get to know the people and places important to their Penn State experience. Emails with dates/times and Zoom information will be sent over the summer.
- Ryan Family Student Center Coffee Break -- informal conversation hosted by a current EMS student and RFSC adviser with special guests at each session.
- MATSE Mondays with Meg -- informal conversation with Materials Science and Engineering academic adviser, Meg Abplanalp.
- Weather Center Wednesdays -- Bill Syrett, director of the Weather Center, will talk with incoming Meteorology students from the weather center.
- EME Coffee Chat -- join advisers from Energy and Mineral Engineering for a morning coffee hour. Hear from current students and faculty each session from Energy Business and Finance, Energy Engr., Environmental Systems Engr., Petroleum and Natural Gas Engr., and/or Mining Engr.
- Meet and Greet Geosciences -- informal conversation with Geosciences academic adviser, Jake Hoover, for students interested in Geosciences, Geobiology, Earth Sciences, and Earth Science and Policy.
- Meet and Greet Geography -- informal conversation with Geography academic adviser, Jodi Vender, for students interested in Geography.
TEEMS -- Total Engagement with EMS
The event formerly known as TOTEMS has been re-named TEEMS: Total Engagement with EMS. TEEMS is a pre-semester program held annually in August before the start of the fall semester, specifically designed for first-year students at the University Park campus who are new to the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences.
The program connects incoming students with upper-class mentors, faculty, staff, and alumni before classes even begin. Participants form lasting connections, become familiar with EMS resources, and are welcomed to the EMS community.
TEEMS 2020 was offered as an interactive, virtual event before students began to arrive on campus for fall. We are hopeful that TEEMS 2021 will return to its traditional 3-day, in-person format at beautiful Lake Raystown Resort. All information such as TEEMS registration, fees, plans and schedule will be updated regularly at the EMS TEEMS web site.
What's Next University-wide?
Students should continue to move through the NSO process by completing all steps in their NSO task list.
More information about welcome events at the start of summer and/or fall semester will be shared with students soon. Students should continue to watch their Penn State email for updates and announcements.
