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Environmental GeoscienceMajor

Are you interested in environmental issues — and changing the world around you? This major combines geoscience and environmental awareness to examine the impact of human behavior on our world.

Overview

What is Environmental Geoscience at WVU like?

Description

Environmental Geoscience is a joint geology and geography major for students interested in geological and geographical approaches to environmental issues. The curriculum emphasizes the physical, human and spatial aspects of Earth and its environment. Students interested in geological and geographical approaches to environmental issues study how to positively affect the environment and find solutions to the problems around them.

Our graduates pursue careers in environmental remediation, land use planning, sustainability design, geographical information systems, environmental legislation and journalism. Geologists and geophysicists hold approximately 95,000 jobs nationwide. Energy and environmental companies employ about half of all geoscientists. Many other geologists work for consulting firms and business services, especially engineering firms, which often provide services to oil and gas companies.

Environmental Geoscience program highlights:

At a Glance

Next Steps

Interested in this major? Here are some suggested next steps:

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Fast Facts

What makes Environmental Geoscience at WVU unique?

Research and Academic Opportunities

Interested in adding another major or a minor? Environmental Geoscience pairs well with the Native American Studies minor or majors in:

  • Anthropology
  • Communication Studies
  • Geography
  • International Studies

Living-Learning Communities (LLCs)

Live, study and pursue outside-the-classroom learning in a residence hall community that shares your interests:

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU. Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Careers

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Possible Careers

Wondering what you can do with a degree from WVU's Environmental Geoscience major? Check out these ideas from WVU Career Services and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is the midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.

Employers

Graduates from this major have gone to work at:

Courses

What are the courses like in Environmental Geoscience at WVU?

Plan of Study

Check out a program overview, learning goals, course descriptions and suggested plan of study for WVU's Environmental Geoscience major.

View the Plan of Study
 

Popular Courses

GEOG 107:
Physical Geography

Introduction to global environmental systems operating on the earth's surface, emphasizing weather and climate, soils, natural vegetation, and geomorphology, and examination of human interaction with these natural processes.

GEOG 205:
Natural Resources

Introduces the concept of natural resources and surveys such topics as land, soil, rangeland, forests, water, atmosphere, minerals, and energy. Emphasis is on the United States within the context of the global environment.

GEOG 300:
Geographical Data Analysis

Quantitative techniques for collection, classification, and spatial analysis of geographical data with emphasis on map analysis and application of spatial statistics.

GEOG 302:
Political Geography

Examines the interrelationship between politics and the environment, human territoriality, the political organization of space, geopolitical aspects of the nation-state and international problems.

GEOG 307:
Biogeography: Theory and Method

An introduction to the field of biogeography including the study of the distribution and diversity of life, how species migrate, the importance of natural and human disturbances in ecosystems.

GEOG 317:
Climatological Analysis

Statistical analysis and interpretation of climatological data and application to physical and human problems across the globe using user-friendly tools. (Also listed as GEOG 517)

GEOG 454:
Environmental Geographic Information Systems

Provides background and hands-on experience needed to answer scientific questions about the environment within a raster-based GIS framework. Students should have introductory-level GIS background.

GEOL 300:
Geology of West Virginia

Journey through geologic history of West Virginia with emphasis on the geology of public lands and fossil fuels. Local and overnight field trips are a required part of this course.

GEOL 302:
Geology of the National Parks

Explore the geology of selected National Parks with emphasis on the plate tectonic setting and in-depth analysis of surface features. One overnight field trip is required as part of this course.

GEOL 365:
Environmental Geology

PR or CONC: GEOL 321. Principles, practice, and case histories in application of earth science to environmental problems. Includes: water quality; landslides; subsidence; waste disposal; legal aspects; and geological aspects of land-use planning. (Field trips and independent field project required.)

GEOL 454:
Environmental and Exploration of Geophysics 1

Basic theory, computer modeling, and use of gravitational, magnetic, resistivity, and electromagnetic methods in the evaluation or shallow targets of interest to environmental, hydrological, and hazardous waste site investigations.

Cost and Aid

How much does Environmental Geoscience at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates for the 2022-23 academic year. Rates are subject to change. Anyone that is not a current West Virginia resident will be charged non-resident rates. That includes international students.

West Virginia Resident
Per Credit $428
Per Semester $5,136
Fall and Spring Semesters $10,272
Non-Resident
Per Credit $1,165
Per Semester $13,980
Fall and Spring Semesters $27,960
International
Per Credit $1,165
Per Semester $14,280
Fall and Spring Semesters $28,560
Scholarship Chart

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Net Price Calculator

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Ways to Save

Here is a way for you to save on the cost of attending WVU in addition to university scholarships.

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.

Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

Requirements

What are the requirements to apply for Environmental Geoscience at WVU?

To be admitted to WVU's Environmental Geoscience major, you must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements for the 2022-23 academic year. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

Related Majors and Minors

What other options does WVU have?

What minors could I consider?

Related Pathways

What majors share similar career interests with this major at WVU?

Next Steps

I like this major. What are the next steps?

Apply Now

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Request Information

Want to know more about Environmental Geoscience at WVU? Fill out the Request Information form to receive more information about the program and life at WVU.

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