Bachelor of Arts in Geosciences

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Understand the Earth From the Ground Up

In the Bachelor of Arts in Geosciences program, you’ll study general chemistry, biology, and introductory physics.

You’ll have the flexibility to customize geosciences degree by stacking certificates or by focusing on a concentration in geology or climate change and environmental justice.

In addition, you’ll choose from a variety of geology electives that cover topics such as environmental geology, paleontology, hydrogeology, and more.

Concentrations

  • Geosciences: Build your own geoscience degree.
  • Professional Geology: Apply skills for professional geology licensing and research.
  • Climate Change & Environmental Justice: Decipher human-environmental interactions.

For more information, please get in touch with geosciences@ewu.edu or the Department Interim Chair, Dr. Robert Sauders, at rsauders@ewu.edu.

Why Study Geoscience at the Region's Polytechnic?

Get a hands-on education, real-world experience, and personalized support so you can launch your career with confidence.

Industry-Connected Learning

You will work with state, federal, and industry professionals to solve geological and environmental problems in the region.

Faculty-Mentored Research

Work one-on-one with faculty to plan, carry out, and present research at local, regional, and national conferences, including the .

Real-World Fieldwork

Experience geoscience outside the classroom with a variety of field-oriented courses and hands-on learning opportunities.

What You Get To Do

  • Research to better understand how humans and environments interact
  • Apply geoscience techniques to a complex problem
  • Produce materials that professionally and effectively communicate to a range of audiences
  • Use analytical skills in geosciences to prepare for the professional job market or graduate studies
鈥淓very class is hands-on. I鈥檓 in the lab, in the field, collecting samples, testing them鈥攊t鈥檚 not just textbook learning. When you鈥檙e out there, doing the work, it sticks with you in a way that reading alone never could." 鈥� Marilyn Smith '25

Applied Learning Opportunities

Students examine rocks in the field

  • Co-ops (Cooperative Education): Spend six months or more in a full-time, career-related job that alternates with classes so you graduate with professional experience.
  • Community-Based Projects: Team up with local organizations on projects that allow you to solve problems and make a difference.
  • Field Work: Take your learning outside the classroom to research sites like wildlife refuges, dig sites, archives, or field camps.
  • Internships: Get real-world experience (and often credit or pay) by working in a professional setting connected to your career goals.
  • Practicums: Build hands-on skills in structured field placements鈥攍ike classrooms, clinics, or community agencies鈥攖hat are often required for professional certification.
  • Service-Learning Experiences: Work on critical issues鈥攕uch as food security, poverty, or climate change鈥攖hat connect community service with what you鈥檙e learning in class.
  • Study Abroad: Travel, learn, and experience new cultures while earning credit and building communication skills that help you thrive anywhere.
  • Undergraduate Research: Collaborate with professors on real-world research projects where you ask questions, solve problems, and present what you discover.
  • Volunteerism: Give back to your community while gaining experience, building connections, and seeing how you can apply your classroom knowledge to make an impact in the world.

What You'll Learn

The following information comes from the official , which outlines all degree requirements and serves as the guide to earning a degree. Courses are designed to provide a well-rounded and versatile degree, covering a wide range of subject areas.

Geosciences Major, Bachelor of Arts (BA)

51福利社

Geoscience combines social and natural science methods and knowledge to help us understand the complex problems facing businesses, government agencies, and community organizations. Geoscientists are uniquely qualified to investigate issues involving competing land use, complex land management problems, and integrated natural and cultural resource development. Students specializing in geoscience gain exposure to all aspects of the discipline from human and physical geography for their degree and specialize in sub-fields such as GIS, water resources, climate change, carbon budgeting, and other personalized experiences.

Career options may include: GIS, Environmental fields, transportation, energy companies, Governmental regulation and natural resource departments, and public health. 

World Language Requirement: Two years of a single high school world language or one year of a single college-level world language is required.

Required Core

& 		DISCOVERING GEOLOGY
and DISCOVERING GEOLOGY LAB		5

& 		THE EARTH'S CLIMATE AND WEATHER
and THE EARTH'S CLIMATE AND WEATHER LAB		5
GLOBALIZATION AND THE ENVIRONMENT5

& 		GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS I: SPATIAL ANALYSIS
and GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS I: SPATIAL ANALYSIS LAB		5

& 		GEOSTATISTICS
and GEOSTATISTICS LAB		4
WORKSHOP, SHORT COURSE, CONFERENCE, SEMINAR (variable title and credits)1
Elective Courses45
Choose at least 45 credits of GEOS elective courses in coordination with a faculty advisor (at least 35 must be taken at the 300- or 400-level, including capstone).
Note that 60 credits of 300- or 400-level courses are required for graduation.
Capstone4-10
Choose one of the following capstone course options in consultation with a faculty advisor.
THE GEOSCIENTIST'S CAPSTONE

& 
SENIOR CAPSTONE: WATER AND THE WEST, WATER RESOURCES IN ARID LANDS
and SENIOR CAPSTONE: WATER AND THE WEST, WATER RESOURCES IN ARID LANDS LAB

& 
CAPSTONE: ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY
and CAPSTONE: ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY LAB
SENIOR CAPSTONE: GEOLOGY FIELD CAMP
SENIOR THESIS
Total Credits74-80

The following plan of study is for a student with zero credits.听Individual students may have different factors such as: credit through transfer work, Advanced Placement, Running Start, or any other type of college-level coursework that requires an individual plan.

Courses could be offered in different terms, checking the academic schedule is paramount in keeping an individual plan current.听Students should connect with an advisor to ensure they are on track to graduate.

All Undergraduate students are required to meet the听.

This major requires the completion of the听.听Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (BA)听degree must complete two years of a single language in high school or one year of a single language in college.

First Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
555

&补尘辫;听 (Natural Science BACR 1)		5Diversity - graduation requirement15
&补尘辫;听 (Natural Science BACR 2)		5
Humanities & Arts BACR 115Social Science BACR 115Humanities & Arts BACR 215
听15听15听15
Second Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
(Social Science BACR 2)5Geosciences Elective25Geosciences Elective25

&补尘辫;听		5Elective - minor or general elective5Geosciences Elective25
Elective - minor or general elective5Elective - minor or general elective5Elective - minor, or general elective5
听15听15听15
Third Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
1
&补尘辫;听		4Geosciences Elective25
Geosciences Elective25Geosciences Elective25Geosciences Elective25
Elective - minor or general elective5Elective - minor or general elective5Elective - minor or general elective5
Elective - minor or general elective5听听
听16听14听15
Fourth Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
Geosciences Elective25Geosciences Elective25 (Senior Capstone - graduation requirement)35
Elective - minor or general elective5Elective - minor or general elective5Elective - minor or general elective5
Elective - minor or general elective5Elective - minor or general elective5Elective - minor or general elective5
听15听15听15
Total Credits 180
1

University Graduation Requirements (UGR) and Breadth Area Course Requirements (BACR) courses may be less than 5 credits and additional credits may be required to reach the required 180 total credits needed to graduate.听 Students should connect with an advisor to ensure they are on track to graduate.

2

Electives鈥揅hoose at least 45 credits of GEOS elective courses in coordination with a faculty advisor (at least 35 must be taken at the 300- or 400-level, including capstone).

3

Choose one of the approved capstone course options in consultation with a faculty advisor.

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(GER)

  • Minimum Quarter Credits—180 cumulative credit hours
    • 60 upper-division credits (300 level or above)
    • 45 credits in residence (attendance) at 51福利社, with at least 15 upper-division credits in major in residence at 51福利社
  • Minimum Semester Credits—120 cumulative credit hours
    • 40 upper-division credits (300 level or above)
    • 30 credits in residence (attendance) at 51福利社, with at least 10 upper-division credits in major in residence at 51福利社
  • Minimum Cumulative GPA ≥2.0

University Competencies and Proficiencies


 

 

(BACR)

 
 

 (UGR)




 
 (for Bachelor of Arts)

Application for Graduation (use ) must be made at least two terms in advance of the term expected to graduate (undergraduate and post-baccalaureate).

Use the to determine .

  1. The catalog in effect at the student's first term of current matriculation is used to determine BACR (Breadth Area Core Requirements) and UGR (Undergraduate Graduation Requirements).
  2. The catalog in effect at the time the student declares a major or minor is used to determine the program requirements.

51福利社

Students who earn a BA in Geosciences from 51福利社 should be able to:

  • demonstrate knowledge of human–environment interactions;
  • apply geoscience techniques to a complex problem;
  • produce a professionally formatted report that effectively communicates;
  • demonstrate advanced critical skills in the geosciences in preparation for the professional job market or graduate studies.
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