College of the Sciences
Environmental Geology
Bachelor of Science | Major
Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies, Geology Specialization
Make meaningful contributions to sustainable solutions and climate resilience with an Environmental Sciences - Geology BS degree from CWU, a unique offering of geological sciences, environmental science, and practical applications. In this supportive community dedicated to understanding and protecting our planet, you will examine the interactions between human activities and Earth's geological and hydrological processes, including climate change while learning about the management of natural resources and the mitigation of geological hazards.
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Environmental Studies Program
Do Something Great
What You'll Study
Academic Catalog | Environmental Studies Website
Foundational Courses
- BIOL 181 - General Biology
- CHEM 181/LAB - General Chemistry
- GEOL 101/LAB - Introduction to Geology
- GEOL 103/LAB
- GEOL 108/LAB - Earth and Energy Resources
- GEOG 107 - Our Dyanmic Earth
- ANTHRO 130 - Cultural Worlds
- ECON 201 - Principles of Economics Micro
- GEOG 101 - World Regional Geography
- POSC 101 - Introduction to Politics
- SOC 107 - Principles of Psychology
Core Courses
- ENST 201 - Earth as an Ecosystem
- ENST 202 - Environment and Society
- ENST 300 - Analysis of Environmental Systems
- ENST 303 - Environmental Resource Management
- ENST 330 - Environmental Leadership and Advocacy
- ENST 360 - Environmental Justice
- ENST 400 - Environmental Methods and Analysis
- ENST 460 - Environmental Law
- ENST 461 - Environmental Policy
- ENST 487 - End-of-Major Capstone
Culminating Experience
- ENST 495 - Senior Research
- ENST 490 - Cooperative Education
- UNI 309 - Civic Engagement
- UNIV 304 - International Sustainable Development
Department-Approved Upper-Level Electives
- ENST 310 - Energy and Society
- ENST 330 - Environmental Leadership and Advocacy
- ENST 360 - Environmental Justice
- ENST/POSC 364 - Environmental Conflict and Change
- ENST 398 - Special Topics
- ENST 455 - Environmental Literature
- ENST 480 - Campus Sustainability
- GEOG 301 - Introduction to GIS and Maps
- SUST 301 - Introduction to Sustainability
Environmental Geology Specialization
Biology
- BIOL 101 - Fundamentals of Biology
- BIOL 181 - General Biology I
Chemistry
- CHEM 101 - Chemistry and Planet Earth
- CHEM 111 - Introduction to Chemistry
- CHEM 111LAB - Introductory Chemistry Laboratory
- CHEM 181 - General Chemistry I
- AND CHEM 181LAB - General Chemistry Laboratory I
Geoscience
- GEOL 101 - Introduction to Geology
- SCED 102 - Integrated Earth and Space Science
Social Science
- ANTH 130 - Cultural Worlds
- ECON 201 - Principles of Economics Micro
- GEOG 101 - World Regional Geography
- POSC 101 - Introduction to Politics
- SOC 107 - Principles of Sociology
Additional Courses
- GEOL 302 - Oceans and Atmosphere
- GEOL 384 - Ocean, Atmosphere and Climate Interactions
- GEOL 382 - Earth Resources and Pollution
- GEOL 386 - Geomorphology
- GEOL 445 - Hydrogeology
- MATH 154 - Pre-Calculus Mathematics II
- GEOL 201 - Climate and Water
- GEOL 202 - Natural Hazards and Tectonics
- GEOL 203 - Earth History
- GEOL 210 - Introduction to Geologic Field Methods
- GEOL 377 - Regional Natural History
- GEOL 377LAB - Regional Natural History
- GEOL 493 - Field Methods in Environmental Geology
Force for Good
As part of the CWU community, our students and alumni continue to make a positive impact on the environment and contribute to a more sustainable future. Our department provides service-learning opportunities where you can enact positive change to increase CWU campus sustainability.
Rich Natural Setting
CWU is located in a unique environment close to subalpine meadows, a shrub-steppe desert, and snowmelt rivers. Our environment also includes a range of resource uses including agriculture, recreation, indigenous land use, and renewable energy generation helping you learn about how to balance different social perspectives about the environment.
Broad Perspectives
This interdisciplinary program will provide perspectives from anthropology, biology, geography, geology, and policy. Topics will include mineral use and mining impacts; population, community, and ecosystem ecology as well as species conservation and restoration; agriculture, soil health, and air and water pollution; policy and law designed to reduce negative environmental consequences of human activities; environmental justice and sustainability of society, economy, and environment.
Experiential Learning
You will engage in fieldwork, laboratory research, and internships that bring classroom concepts to life. Through these experiences, you will forge lasting connections with your peers, faculty, and industry professionals, strengthening the sense of community that sets our program apart.
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Financial Aid
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Student Life
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Priority
Sustainability is one of the top goals in CWU’s Institutional Strategic Plan, guiding all work that the University engages in.
Connections
Join other students who are passionate about saving the environment in the Environmental Club.
Focused
Why Environmental Studies at Central?
- Our small class sizes allow for more personalized attention from faculty, creating a collaborative and supportive learning environment.
- Engage in fieldwork, laboratory research, and internships that bring classroom concepts to life. Through these experiences, you will forge lasting connections with your peers, faculty, and industry professionals.
- Let our faculty connect you to local resource groups that can put you on the top of the list for internship opportunities.
Successful Fields
Fisheries Manager
Forest Manager
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians
Energy and Sustainability Specialists
Natural Sciences Managers