Environmental Geosciences (BS)

A. Earth and Environmental Sciences Core (28 Credit Hours)

The core develops field and laboratory research skills, and a broad knowledge about earth processes to help understand and remediate environmental problems in complex geologic settings.

• Select one (1) of the following introductory courses:

• GEOL 101 Earth Processes, Resources, and the Environment (4)
• GEOL 140 Geology and Environmental Issues in Appalachia (3)
• PHSC 104 Concepts in Physical Science: Earth/Space Sciences (4)

• Complete the following five-course, curriculum-based undergraduate research experience (CURE):

• GEOL 365 Earth Materials and Minerals (4)
• GEOL 385 Earth Structure and Tectonics (4)
• GEOL 404 Field Geology I (3)
• GEOL 405 Field Geology II (3)
• GEOL 415 Electron Imaging and X-ray Microanalysis (2)

• Select three (3) of the following electives (12 credit hours):

• GEOL 202 Evolution of Earth Systems (4)
• GEOL 205 Environmental and Applied Geology (4)
• GEOL 310 Soil, Water, and Land Use (4)
• GEOL 312 Climatology (4)
• GEOL 315 Biogeography and Environmental Change (4)
• GEOL 375 Chemistry and Petrology of the Solid Earth (4)
• GEOL 380 Sedimentary Geology (4)

B. Geospatial Science (6 Credit Hours)

Geospatial Science uses computer applications such as Geographic Information Systems to study natural and societal patterns in order to help define and solve environmental and public health problems.

• GEOG 200 Digital Earth (3)

• Select one (1) of the following:

• GEOG 311 GIS and Cartography (3)
• GEOG 411 GIS Design and Application (3)
• GEOG 412 Public Health GIS (3)

C. Supporting Courses (15 Credit Hours)

Scientific and environmental problems require interdisciplinary problem-solving skills.  Courses in the social and health sciences are available as electives because environmental problems also involve interaction with people and society, including property owners, businesses, schools, government agencies, and the legal system.

• MATH 103 College Algebra (3) or MATH 103C  and MATH 104 College Trigonometry(3)  

• or

• MATH 107 Precalculus (4)

•  

• CHEM 101 Principles of Chemistry I (3) and CHEM 111 Principles of Chemistry I Lab(1)  
• PHSC 219 Laboratory Research Methods and Ethics (1)

• Select one (1) of the following for four (4) hours:

• CHEM 102 Principles of Chemistry II (3) and CHEM 112 Principles of Chemistry II Lab(1)  
• PHYS 101 Introductory Physics (4)
• PHYS 201 University Physics with Calculus, Part 1 (4)
• MATH 253 Calculus with Analytic Geometry I (4)

• Select seven (7) or more additional elective credit hours:

• BIOL 121 Foundations of Biology I (4) or higher
• CHEM 102 Principles of Chemistry II(3)  and CHEM 112 Principles of Chemistry II Lab(1)  or higher
• CS 151 Introduction to Computer Science (3) or higher
• GEOG 101 Humans and the Environment (3) or higher
• GEOL 202 Evolution of Earth Systems (4) or higher
• HS 301 Public Health Epidemiology (3) or higher
• LSPL 101 Introduction to Legal Systems (3) or BGEN 301 Principles of Business Law(3)  
• MATH 105 Elementary Statistics (3) or higher
• PHYS 101 Introductory Physics(4)  or higher
• PSY 229 Health Psychology (3)
• SOC 201 Social Problems (3)
• SOC 326 Medical Sociology (3)
• SOWK 302 Human Diversity (3)

D. Elective Concentrations by Career Interest

You can use some of these to develop an "area of emphasis" or "concentration." The following are suggested concentrations of 5–7 courses to consider using as electives in your program to match your career interest. These are optional so you are not required to select or complete one, and you may instead select a mix of courses in collaboration with your advisor.

Note:

Students in need of accessibility accommodations or unable to conduct field work or travel for GEOL 405  may request for an appropriate course substitution or virtual field experience.