The bachelor of arts in Environmental Geoscience is a joint geology-geography program 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 degree program’s broad and interdisciplinary nature is designed to produce geoscientists who can identify environmental problems, apply a variety of approaches to their remediation, and be conversant with the many disciplines for whom the environment is of special concern. Majors in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences Biochemistry B Biology B, M, D Chemistry B, M, D Communications Studies B, M, D Computer Science B Creative Writing M Criminology & Investigations B Economics B English B, M, D Environmental Geoscience B Foreign Languages B, M Forensic & Investigative Science B Geography B, M, D Geology B, M, D History B, M, D Individualized Major B Industrial Mathematics and Statistics B International Studies B Legal Studies M Liberal Arts and Sciences B Liberal Studies M Mathematics B, M, D Multidisciplinary Studies B Philosophy B Physics B, M, D Political Science B, M, D Professional Writing and Editing M Psychology B, M, D Public Administration M Regents Bachelor of Arts B Religious Studies B Slavic Studies B Social Work B, M Sociology M Sociology and Anthropology B Statistics M Women's Studies B B=Bachelor's; M=Master's; D=Doctorate For more information, contact Dr. Jack Renton at 304-293-5603, ext. 4315, or John.Renton@mail.wvu.edu Or visit our Web site at: www.geo.wvu.edu/academicprograms/ environmentalgeoscience/index.htm

The WVU Eberly College of Arts and Sciences
The Eberly College of Arts and Sciences is the largest and most diverse academic unit within West Virginia University. A faculty of 450 and a staff of 125 are involved in educating and supporting the efforts of more than 6,700 students (nearly one-fourth of the WVU student body) who are majoring in one or more of 63 undergraduate and graduate programs offered by the College’s 16 academic departments and divisions. The College’s academic units and research facilities are housed in 14 buildings on the WVU campus. The Dean’s Office is in historic Woodburn Hall. The College and its Department of Biology also maintain the Core Arboretum, a 75-acre wooded tract adjacent to the Monongahela River.

The College provides the majority of the curriculum for all WVU undergraduates and a wide variety of required and elective courses for the entire student body. Arts and Sciences majors may, with permission, elect to major in more than one discipline and, when appropriate, may design highly individualized degree programs.

Eberly College undergraduate degree programs prepare students for many specific professions, while also providing a broad-based education that remains relevant beyond the first job after graduation. Many Eberly College alumni go on to complete graduate and professional degrees. By providing students with analytic and communication skills, reasoning abilities, and a broad knowledge of the humanities and the behavioral and natural sciences, the Eberly College equips graduates for lifelong learning and prepares them to meet the challenges of an ever-changing world and an increasingly volatile job market.

Admission
If University admission requirements are met, a student may be accepted in the Pre-Environmental Geoscience Program. To continue in the program, a GPA of at least 2.0 must be maintained in all required chemistry, physics, and mathematics courses, plus a minimum average of 2.0 in all required geology/geography courses.

Curriculum
The degree’s course requirements reflect the diversity of environmental problems 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 required courses also reflect the increased demands placed upon modern environmental scientists, which include the abilities needed to:

• recognize and understand the sources and impacts of various pollutants within the physical environment
• compile and analyze environmental data
• understand the regulatory aspects of environmental protection
• communicate issues of importance with other environmental scientists and with the general public.

Because many environmental impacts are chemical in nature, chemistry classes make up a significant portion of the required courses. Physics and mathematics courses develop the ability to reason scientifically.

Accreditation
West Virginia University is fully accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Career Opportunities
Graduates of this program find employment in a wide array of fields, including the assessment and remediation of environmental problems, land use planning, and geographic information systems.

Opportunities are available through involvement in the legislative process. Formulating laws on a legislative staff to protect the environment, applying the laws as part of a federal or state agency, or working as a member of the media to increase public awareness of situations adversely affecting the environment are just a few examples.

Graduate School Opportunities
The flexible mix of required and elective courses allows students to prepare for graduate work in a variety of environmental disciplines. Students planning on attending graduate school should work closely with their academic advisors to choose an appropriate mix of course work.

Salary Range
Students graduating with a bachelor of arts in Environmental Geoscience should expect starting salaries of about $31,000, based on experience, type of employment, and location.