Environmental Geosciences (BS)

This degree program is designed to prepare students for scientific careers or graduate study in geology and/or environmental science. The curriculum includes a comprehensive geology core that qualifies graduates to apply for licensure as a professional environmental geologist through ASBOG (Association of State Boards of Geology). Students will acquire field, laboratory, and computer skills necessary for long-term employment in the environmental, engineering, geospatial, energy, and geologic workforce.

The degree requires successful completion of 120 semester hours, including: (1) the General Education Program (26-29 hours beyond the Environmental Geosciences major); and (2) the multidisciplinary Requirements (A-D below) in geology, geospatial science, cognate science, and mathematics (55-63 hours). The curriculum leaves students with 28-39 hours of open electives. Students may select additional introductory and advanced courses in geography, geology, and other STEM fields or non-science disciplines to fulfill the open electives. The science and mathematics cognate requirements overlap other STEM degrees and permits completion of a double major or additional minors. Consult with the geoscience faculty for current advice.

Environmental Geosciences Major Requirements

55-63 Hours

A. Introductory Courses (6-8 Credit Hours)

Select one (1) gateway course from the following (GEOL 101 recommended).
GEOL 101 Earth Processes, Resources, and the Environment (4)
GEOL 150 Oceanography (3)
GEOL 210 Natural Disasters (3)
GEOG 101 Humans and the Environment (3)
GEOG 200 Digital Earth (3)
PHSC 104 Concepts in Physical Science: Earth/Space Sciences (4)
Select one Earth history or environmental course from the following:
GEOL 140 Geology of West Virginia and the Appalachian Region (3)
GEOL 202 Evolution of Earth Systems (4)
GEOL 205 Environmental and Applied Geology (4)

B. Geology Core (26 Credit Hours)

Select one of the following:
GEOL 310 Soil, Water, and Land Use (4)
GEOL 312 Climatology (4)
GEOL 315 Biogeography and Environmental Change (4)
Complete all of the following:
GEOL 365 Earth Materials and Minerals (4)
GEOL 375 Petrology (4)
GEOL 380 Sedimentary Geology (4)
GEOL 385 Earth Structure and Tectonics (4)
GEOL 404 Field Geology I (3)
GEOL 405 Field Geology II (3) **

C. Geospatial Science (6 Credit Hours)

D. Science and Mathematics Cognate (17-23 Credit Hours)

Complete all of the following:
* MATH 103 College Algebra (3) or MATH 103C
* MATH 104 College Trigonometry (3)
CHEM 101 General Chemistry I (3)
CHEM 111 General Chemistry Laboratory I (1)
CHEM 102 General Chemistry II (3)
CHEM 112 General Chemistry Laboratory II (1)
CHEM 219 Laboratory Research Methodology (1)
Select eight (8) credit hours from the following (courses in physics, calculus, and statistics recommended for professional geologists):
PHYS 101 Introductory Physics (4)
PHYS 102 Intermediate Physics (4)
PHYS 201 University Physics with Calculus, Part 1 (4)
PHYS 202 University Physics with Calculus, Part 2 (4)
BIOL 201 Ecology and Field Methods (4)
BIOL 315 Freshwater Ecology (4)
Any additional MATH courses
Any additional CHEM courses
Any CS (computer science) courses

Note:

Six (6) credit hours of additional upper-level coursework in BIOL, CHEM, or PHYS (numbered between 300-449) may be substituted for any one GEOL or GEOG course; twelve hours may be substituted for two (2) GEOL or GEOG courses.

*MATH 103 and/or MATH 104 will be waived for those students establishing “equivalent proficiency” as defined by the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science (Math ACT 25 or 28).

**Students in need of accessibility accommodations or unable to conduct field work or travel may petition for an appropriate course substitution or virtual field experience.

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