Environmental Geosciences (BS)

The Environmental Geosciences program prepares students for careers in Earth and Environmental Sciences or for advanced graduate study. The program equips students with essential field, laboratory, and computer skills, preparing them for employment in the environmental, engineering, geospatial, geologic, and public health sectors. The curriculum is aligned with the standards expected for professional licensure as a geologist. As part of the degree, students will also earn a Certificate in Environmental and Applied Geology , and a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) User Certificate if GPA requirements for each are met.

The degree requires completion of 120 semester hours, including: (1) the General Education Program ; (2) the Earth and Environmental Sciences Core; and (3) Supporting Courses with a minimum 2.00 GPA required. The curriculum incorporates 14 hours of General Education Program requirements, which leaves students with as many as 38 hours of open electives. These could be used to pursue a double major or minor. Students are encouraged to consult with Environmental Geosciences faculty for personalized academic advice.

Environmental Geosciences Major Requirements

Minimum 2.00 GPA required

A. Earth & Environmental Sciences Core

37-38 credit hours

Introductory Coursework (6-7 credit hours)
GEO 100 Humans and the Environment (3)
Select one of the following:
GEO 101 Earth Processes, Resources, and the Environment (4)
GEO 140 Geology and Environmental Issues in Appalachia (3)
PHSC 104 Concepts in Physical Science: Earth/Space Sciences (4)
Foundational Coursework (19 credit hours)
GEO 302 Earth History and Stratigraphy (4)
GEO 305 Environmental Geology and Hydrology (4)
GEO 365 Earth Materials and Mineral Resources (4)
GEO 385 Earth Structure and Tectonics (4)
GEO 404 Field Methods (3)
Note: Students completing: (a) GEO 101 ,or GEO 140 , or PHSC 104 ; (b) GEO 305 ; and (c) 4-5 additional hours of coursework required for the major with a 2.50 GPA will earn the Certificate in Environmental and Applied Geology .
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) User Certificate (9 credit hours)

3.00 GPA Required
GEO 200 Digital Earth (3)
GEO 311 Geographic Information Systems (3)
GEO 411 Remote Sensing Applications (3)
Capstone Internship, Research or Field Experience (3 credit hours)**
GEO 405 Field Geology (3)
GEO 450 Internship (3-6)
GEO 470 Research (1-6)
**Or an external geology field camp or similar field or research-intensive course approved by program faculty.

B. Supporting Courses

20-22 credit hours

Mathematics (7-9 credit hours)
MATH 105 Elementary Statistics (3)
MATH 103 College Algebra (3) and MATH 104 College Trigonometry(3)
or
MATH 107 Precalculus (4)
or
MATH 253 Calculus with Analytic Geometry I (4)
Science (13 credit hours)
CHEM 101 Principles of Chemistry I (3)
CHEM 111 Principles of Chemistry I Lab (1)
PHYS 101 Introductory Physics (4) or PHYS 201 University Physics with Calculus, Part 1(4)
PHSC 219 Laboratory Research Methods and Ethics (1)
Select one of the following:
BIOL 121 Foundations of Biology I (4)
CHEM 102 Principles of Chemistry II (3) and CHEM 112 Principles of Chemistry II Lab(1)
PHYS 102 Intermediate Physics (4)
PHYS 202 University Physics with Calculus, Part 2 (4)

Note:

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

Math Proficiency Note:

MATH 103 (or MATH 103C ) and/or MATH 104 will be waived for those students establishing "equivalent proficiency" as defined by the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science .