Apr 11, 2025  
2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog

Geology and Environmental Studies Major, BS - Water Science Concentration


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The Geology and Environmental Studies major is designed for students who want a broad, general background in geosciences and wish to develop their leadership and communication skills to pursue careers in science, education, law, business, public policy, and many other fields.

Program Learning Outcomes for the B.S. degree in Geology and Environmental Studies:

  • Students will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of geosciences in one of the four concentrations.
  • Students can apply geoscience techniques presented in the curriculum.
  • Students will develop a depth of professional knowledge, the ability to problem solve, and critical thinking skills comparable to other professional geoscience programs.

Water Science encompasses a variety of important topics related to water issues and challenges experienced by humanity. Water Science is a core area of the geosciences that is focused on studying the distribution, movement, and storage of water on the surface, and in the soils and rocks of Earth's crust and other rocky planetary bodies. Our undergraduate offerings in the Geology and Environmental Studies major focus on rock forming processes on Earth and other planetary bodies, the evolution of life, natural geological resources, geochemistry, environmental pollution, climate and human impact. Courses in the major not only provide the foundation for advanced education and research into urgent challenges in water quality, availability, and management, but also offer our students pathways into successful careers in science, education, industry and government.

Prerequisites:


Concentration Requirements:


This concentration consists of 37-38 credit hours.

E. Complete at least 3 credit hours:


Honors Concentration – Water Science


Requirements for the honors concentration are:

  • Fulfill all requirements for a concentration of the Geology and Environmental Studies degree
  • Maintain an overall GPA of at least 3.25
  • Maintain a concentration GPA of at least 3.5
  • 9 hours of honors-by-contract coursework chosen from: approved 300- and 400-level EEPS courses, EEPS 491  Foreign Study, EEPS 492  Off Campus Study, and EEPS 493  Independent Study.
  • 3 hours of EEPS 497  Honors Senior Thesis (with a written and oral presentation of thesis)

Note:


 

* Meets Volunteer Core  Requirement.

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