Program Overview

Environmental Geoscience B.S.

Know your planet, inside and out. Study how Earth’s surface environments are an interconnected series of complex systems and prepare to dive into the challenges of global environmental change.

About this Program

• Learn from expert faculty in geochemistry, geophysics, hydrology and geology.
• Jump into faculty-guided research via laboratory, computational or field studies.
• Graduate with distinction in environmental geoscience by maintaining a strong GPA and completing a research-based senior thesis project under the supervision of a faculty member.
• Join UGoGeo, an active community of undergraduate geoscience majors.
• Take advantage of a study abroad option in New Zealand that is well integrated with the major.
• Prepare for careers across the spectrum of the environmental sciences: monitoring, remediation and regulation associated with positions in private corporations, government agencies and nonprofit organizations.
• Participate in faculty-led field excursions to unique parts of the world.
• The B.S. in environmental geosciences is the perfect base major for the science-minded student looking to understand the complexities of policy through the environment, sustainability and policy integrated learning major.
• Students have the option to join the Environment and Sustainability Living Learning Community.

Program Information

• Degree Type: Major
• Outcome: B.S.
• Modality: In-person
• College or School: College of Arts and Sciences

Curriculum

The major’s foundation includes courses in chemistry, biology and math; core courses in environmental geosciences, plus skill-based courses in field methods and data analysis. Subsequent, upper-level courses span three major areas within the field: environmental data analysis, surface processes and climate and energy.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Explain process-based linkages connecting lithosphere, climate, water and life as illustrated by the Earth system over time.
• Analyze and interpret general patterns in the history of the Earth-life system using geological records.
• Describe local and global patterns of climate change and understand both spatial and temporal drivers of the climate system.
• Infer Earth surface processes and environments and characterize ecosystem properties from field, lab and data-driven observations of sedimentary systems.
• Use analytical, remote sensing and/or numerical tools to characterize hydrologic systems in the surface and/or subsurface.
• Effectively synthesize published literature related to Earth and environmental sciences in a written report and/or a data product.
• Develop written and verbal communication skills required to effectively convey science to a wide range of audiences.

Sample Courses

• History of Earth and Life
• Environmental Aqueous Geochemistry
• Earth Science of Energy
• Hydrogeology
• Applications of GIS in Earth Sciences

Extracurricular Opportunities

• Campus facilities: Heroy Geology Laboratory
• Research: K.D. Nelson Lecture Series
• Study abroad opportunity: Frontiers Abroad: Earth Science

Related Programs

• Earth Sciences B.A.
• Environment, Sustainability and Policy B.A.
• Environment, Sustainability and Policy B.S.
• Geology B.S.
• Applied Mathematics B.A.
• Applied Mathematics B.S.