Geology, Environmental Science, BA

Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Science

More on the Environmental Science major

Environmental Science Fundamentals

Environmental science is the study of society’s relationship with the physical, chemical and biological world. This knowledge may be applied to understanding natural hazards such as earthquakes, volcanoes and landslides; addressing problems associated with environmental contamination; and investigating earth’s history to understand the global climate change. Environmental scientists are employed by environmental consulting firms, government agencies, nonprofit organizations and universities.

Core courses provide the fundamentals in:

• physical geology
• biology
• chemistry

Degree program can be tailored to a major field of interest by taking additional courses in the supporting sciences and mathematics.

Requirements for Admission 

Admission to the College of Arts and Sciences. The student must maintain a minimum 2.00 grade point average.

Earn a Bachelor’s degree AND a Master’s degree in 5 years

A combined version of this degree is available to students who intend to continue on to the Master's of Science in Geology degree at the University of Akron. Please contact your advisor or the Department of Geosciences for guidance.

The following information has official approval of The Department of Geosciences and The Buchtel College of Arts & Sciences, but is intended only as a supplemental guide. Official degree requirements are established at the time of transfer and admission to the degree-granting college. Students should refer to the Degree Progress Report (Stellic) which is definitive for graduation requirements. Completion of this degree within the identified time frame below is contingent upon many factors, including but not limited to: class availability, total number of required credits, work schedule, finances, family, course drops/withdrawals, successfully passing courses, prerequisites, among others. The transfer process is completed through an appointment with your academic advisor.

Three year accelerated option: for first time students who have earned credits for at least the first year of courses. Credits can be earned through qualifying scores on appropriate Advanced Placement (AP) exams or through College Credit Plus Program (CCP) courses. Credits for qualifying AP scores or CCP courses are determined by the appropriate academic department. Departments may assign varied course credit, depending on the student’s score on an AP exam or grade in a CCP course. Students may also receive credit by examination or via placement tests, where appropriate.

Requirements

Summary

General Education Requirements

College of Arts & Sciences Requirements

Core Geology-Environmental Science Track Requirements

Environmental Science Track Field Study Requirement I

¹

If GEOL 443 or GEOL 421 are taken, these courses cannot also count towards Environmental Science Track Electives.

Environmental Science Track Field Study Requirement II

Environmental Science Track Electives

¹

If GEOL 421 or GEOL 443 was used to satisfy the Environmental Science Track Field Study Requirement I, it cannot be used as a part of this requirement. 

Environmental Science Track Non-Geology Requirements I

Environmental Science Track Non-Geology Requirements II

Environmental Science Track Non-Geology Electives

Recommended Sequence

¹

GEOL 101 Introductory Physical Geology Strongly Preferred, or GEOL 100 Earth Science, or GEOL 200 Environmental Geology or (by permission only) GEOL 211 Introduction to Environmental Science and GEOL 104 Exercises in Physical Geology.

²

All Geology majors should take the Math Placement Test. The B.A. requirement is MATH 149 Precalculus Mathematics or MATH 154 Technical Algebra and Trigonometry 2.

³

Demonstration of ability to use another language by completion of the second year of a foreign language or sign language is required. See your advisor for placement. Please note that all four semesters must be completed in the same language and it’s recommended you begin your first language class as soon as possible.

⁴

Credit hours shown for General Education or Honors Distribution are general guidelines only. These courses should be chosen in accordance with the appropriate General Education curriculum guide (for non-honors students) or Honors Distribution (for honors students).

⁵

We strongly recommend selecting General Education or Honors Distribution courses that fulfill both a Breadth of Knowledge requirement and Breadth of Perspectives requirement.  Please consult the General Education requirements to see which courses fulfill both requirements.

⁶

Environmental Science Track electives: at least 22 credits with a minimum of 19 credits at the 300/400 level. Up to 9 credits may be selected from non-Geology courses. Please contact a Department of Geology & Environmental Science advisor to discuss options.

⁷

We strongly recommend taking GEOL 421 Coastal Geology or GEOL 443 Rivers to fulfill this requirement.  These courses both count towards this requirement and the Environmental Science Electives requirement.

Alert

1. By the end of your first 48 credit hours attempted, you must have completed your General Education English, Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic, and Communications (Speech) requirements;
2. By the end of your first 48 credit hours attempted, you must have declared a major and transferred to (been accepted by) a degree granting college at The University of Akron.