Bachelor of Environmental Geoscience at West Virginia University

The B.A. in environmental geoscience is a joint program in the Department of Geology and Geography for students interested in geological and geographical approaches to environmental issues.  Emphasis is placed on the physical, human, and spatial aspects of earth and its environment.  The broad and interdisciplinary nature of the degree program is designed to produce geoscientists who can identify environmental problems, apply a variety of approaches to their remediation, and be conversant among the wide range of disciplines for which the environment is of special concern.

The course requirements for the degree reflect the diversity of environmental problems that we face today from the atmosphere (air pollution), to the hydrosphere (water pollution), to the lithosphere (ground pollution), and how these problems affect our quality of life.  The courses required for the degree also reflect the increased demands placed upon modern environmental scientists that include being able to recognize and understand the sources and impacts of various pollutants within the physical environment, being able to compile and analyze environmental data, understanding the regulatory aspects of environmental protection, and being able to effectively communicate issues of importance with other environmental scientists and with the general public.

Graduates of this program will find employment in a wide array of fields including the assessment and remediation of environmental problems, land-use planning, geographic information systems, involvement in the legislative process by which laws are formulated to protect the environment, the application of such laws as part of a federal or state regulatory agency, or as a member of the journalistic community using the various methods of mass communication to increase the public awareness of situations that adversely affect the environment.

Students who earn a degree in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences must complete the University requirements, the College requirements for their specific degree program, and their major requirements.

Minors

All students have the possibility of earning one or more minors; please check the list of all available minors and their requirements. Please note that students may not earn a minor in their major field.

Environmental Geoscience

Upon successful completion of the B.A. degree, Environmental Geoscience majors will be able to:

1. Identify the presence of conditions that create natural environmental problems/hazards.
2. Identify the activities of humans that create environmental problems/hazards.
3. Detail the potential economic and social costs of remediation of natural and anthropogenic environmental problems.
4. Critically access reports, news articles, news reports, and debates and analyze the arguments so they can come to form an opinion on what is being debated.
5. Recognize that sources of information on environmental issues may be biased and that additional opinions must be sought in order to set forth conclusions which have merit.
6. Communicate clearly and effectively in writing and the spoken word about environmental issues to audiences of diverse backgrounds and formal education levels.
7. Demonstrate an understanding of content terminology required to communicate information regarding natural and manmade environmental problems/hazards.