Geosciences Major, Bachelor of Science (BS)
There are three concentrations in the Geosciences BS: 1) Professional Geology concentration prepares students for the WA State Geology License exams as well as graduate school level research. 2) Climate Change and Environmental Justice prepares students to help study and support society in an ever changing world. 3) Geosciences is an option that allows students to best fit their interest by building a degree with a Geosciences advisor.
Geoscientists study the Earth and our relationship to it by providing opportunities to observe natural processes in action. By applying knowledge of the forces that are constantly reshaping our planet, one can seek to reconstruct the past and anticipate the future. You can benefit society by understanding our planet and the life it sustains. Employed in a wide spectrum of academic, industrial, and government positions, geoscientists can be found collecting samples from the moon, the ocean floor, and active lava flows. They discover and manage resources, consult on engineering and environmental issues, conduct research, teach, write, and use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to make positive change.
Career Opportunities can include: Geotechnical and environmental fields, Hydrology, economic geology, GIS, energy companies, Governmental regulation and natural resource departments, and public health.
| Required Science Core: | 15 | |
| PRECALCULUS MATH II | ||
| AND Choose any two of the following (CHEM 171 and CHEM 171L are required for the Professional Geology Concentration) | ||
| BIOLOGY I | ||
| GENERAL CHEMISTRY I and GENERAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY I | ||
| GENERAL CHEMISTRY II and GENERAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY II | ||
| PROGRAMMING PRINCIPLES I | ||
| CALCULUS I | ||
or HONS 161 | CALCULUS I | |
| GENERAL PHYSICS I and MECHANICS LABORATORY | ||
or PHYS 131 | INTRODUCTORY PHYSICS I | |
| Required Core | 30 | |
| DISCOVERING GEOLOGY | ||
| THE EARTH'S CLIMATE AND WEATHER | ||
| GLOBALIZATION AND THE ENVIRONMENT | ||
| GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS I: SPATIAL ANALYSIS FOR SOCIAL SCIENCES | ||
or GEOS 323 | GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS I: SPATIAL ANALYSIS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES | |
| GEOSTATISTICS | ||
| WORKSHOP, SHORT COURSE, CONFERENCE, SEMINAR (variable title and credits) | ||
| Choose one of the following Concentrations and Capstone | 45 | |
Please note that 60 credits of 300- or 400-level courses are required for graduation. | ||
| Geosciences—45 credits | ||
In consultation of faculty advisor, take at least 45 credits (at least 35 must be taken at the 300- or 400-level, including capstone) of GEOS credit electives. | ||
All GEOS courses are possible electives to satisfy this concentration | ||
| Professional Geology - 45 Credits | ||
| THE EARTH THROUGH TIME | ||
| EARTH MATERIALS | ||
| IGNEOUS AND METAMORPHIC PETROLOGY | ||
| SEDIMENTOLOGY AND STRATIGRAPHY | ||
| STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY | ||
| FIELD METHODS AND REGIONAL GEOLOGY | ||
Electives–choose at least three of the following courses | ||
| INVERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY | ||
| ADVANCED & APPLIED OPTICAL MINERALOGY | ||
| PRINCIPLES OF GEOCHEMISTRY | ||
| GROUNDWATER HYDROLOGY | ||
| ENGINEERING GEOLOGY OF SOILS: INTRODUCTION TO GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING | ||
Capstone | ||
| SENIOR CAPSTONE: GEOLOGY FIELD CAMP | ||
| Climate Change and Environmental Justice—45 credits | ||
| HOT EARTH: PEOPLE AND CLIMATE CHANGE | ||
| WORLD GEOGRAPHY | ||
| RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION | ||
| ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE | ||
| RESOURCES AND MANAGEMENT | ||
All GEOS courses are possible electives to satisfy this concentration–check with your advisor. | ||
Capstone | ||
| THE GEOSCIENTIST'S CAPSTONE | ||
| Total Credits | 90 | |