Programs

Environmental Geosciences offers a variety of majors and minors that prepare students for success in a variety of fields.

Department Majors

Environmental Geosciences (BA): The program focuses on providing students with a scientific understanding of the Earth and surrounding environment. The student in geology gains an understanding of the various terrestrial processes and features (mountains, oceans, volcanoes, glaciers); the immenseness of geologic time, the history of the earth and organisms that inhabit it (fossils); the role of water, fuel, and mineral resources in the development of civilization; and the close interaction between the geologic and organic environments.

Environmental Geosciences: Environmental Science (BS): Candidates completing this program are eligible to sit for the two-part Association State Boards of Geology (ASBOG) examination required for a Professional Geologist license in Pennsylvania. The first examination, Fundamentals of Geology, can be taken upon graduation. The second examination, Principles and Practices of Geology, can be taken after working for five years. Regulations for licensing vary by state and you are urged to check with the licensing board in the state you will be working.

Environmental Geosciences: Geology (BS): The program focuses on providing students with a scientific understanding of the Earth and surrounding environment. The student in geology gains an understanding of the various terrestrial processes and features (mountains, oceans, volcanoes, glaciers); the immenseness of geologic time, the history of the earth and organisms that inhabit it (fossils); the role of water, fuel, and mineral resources in the development of civilization; and the close interaction between the geologic and organic environments.

Environmental Geosciences: Applied Geographic Technology (BS): This program is designed to prepare students for employment in technical occupations, planning, or postgraduate studies. The applied geographic technology student investigates the geographic study of environmental, economic, cultural, and political processes and becomes proficient in the fast growing field of geographic information technology. This program emphasizes the collection, analysis, and representation of earth data at scales ranging from the local to the global. Opportunities abound for students to engage in fieldwork, internships, and in the production of research in our department.

Environmental Geosciences: Geography (BS): This program offers students an interdisciplinary perspective on our globalized world. Students in this program gain an understanding of the basic physical, cultural, economic, and political forces that shape our world, as well as in-depth exploration of particular places and regions of importance. Global studies majors learn to think cross-culturally about the major problems facing our world, and prepare for careers with an international focus.

Environmental Geosciences: Environmental Policy (BS): This program takes an interdisciplinary approach and integrates knowledge from the social and natural sciences in the study of environmental issues. An important goal of the program is for students to understand the relationships that exist between social, behavioral, and environmental systems. We emphasize the collection, analysis, and representation of earth data at scales ranging from the local to the global.

Department Minors

Environmental Geosciences: Environmental Science: Environmental science is the integration of scientific knowledge from many disciplines in order to understand the interrelationships between human activities and the environment. Environmental science minors are exposed to the general principles of biology, chemistry, geology, geography, meteorology, and physics. Students learn how the interactions of all of these processes contribute to the operation of our earth system. This knowledge can prepare students for careers in water and air quality management, nature conservation, or planning for climate change.

Environmental Geosciences: Geology: The Geology minor provides students with a scientific understanding of the Earth and surrounding environment. The student in geology gains an understanding of the various terrestrial processes and features (mountains, oceans, volcanoes, glaciers); the immenseness of geologic time, the history of the earth and organisms that inhabit it (fossils); the role of water, fuel, and mineral resources in the development of civilization; and the close interaction between the geologic and organic environments. Demand for the professional geologist comes from the needs of engineering, hydrogeologic and environmental firms; geological surveys; oil, gas and mining companies; state and national parks; museums; conservation agencies; planning commissions; and teaching institutions.

Geographic Information Technology: If you have an interest in geography and technology, and would like to make that interest part of your education and future career path, this program is for you. Through the Geographic Information Technology minor, you'll discover how to use tools and technologies like computer science, visualization, geographic information science, and remote sensing to examine landscapes and environments.

Geophysics: The Geophysics minor provides students with a grounding in the technical skills crucial to investigating the subsurface features of our earth. The minor emphasizes a variety of state-of-the-art techniques used by professionals in resource exploration and development in order to study what lies beneath our feet, including both ground-based approaches as well as aerial (drones) and satellite imaging.

Meteorology: Meteorology is the scientific study of the atmosphere and atmospheric processes. Through this minor in Meteorology, you'll investigate the physics, dynamics and chemistry of the Earth's atmosphere. You'll also have numerous opportunities to engage in fieldwork and participate in undergraduate research with faculty members.

Certificate

Certificate in Geographic Information Science: The certificate is specifically designed to provide specialized skills to individuals who currently work with spatial data in their chosen field or would like to leverage geospatial data in future employment. The curriculum is designed to support the increasing importance of geospatial data and analysis across diverse disciplines including geography, biological and environmental sciences, business and logistics, resource management and geosciences, planning and conservation.

Certificate in Sustainability: This certificate should benefit a diverse population of students who might not be introduced to such concepts through completion of their degree program. Students who obtain a Certificate in Sustainability will be better prepared to critically evaluate society's interactions with the environment and to help find ethical and equitable solutions to environmental challenges.

Environmental Geosciences

Environmental Geosciences

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Programs

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