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 Geological Society of America.

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
“Every class is hands-on. I’m in the lab, in the field, collecting samples, testing them—it’s not just textbook learning. When you’re out there, doing the work, it sticks with you in a way that reading alone never could." — Marilyn Smith '25

What You'll Learn

The following information comes from the official EWU catalog, 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)

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
GEOS 100
& 100L		DISCOVERING GEOLOGY
and DISCOVERING GEOLOGY LAB		5
GEOS 113THE EARTH'S CLIMATE AND WEATHER5
GEOS 200GLOBALIZATION AND THE ENVIRONMENT5
GEOS 321GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS I: SPATIAL ANALYSIS FOR SOCIAL SCIENCES5
or GEOS 323 GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS I: SPATIAL ANALYSIS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
GEOS 460
& 460L		GEOSTATISTICS
and GEOSTATISTICS LAB		4
GEOS 497WORKSHOP, 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. 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. Students should connect with an advisor to ensure they are on track to graduate.

All Undergraduate students are required to meet the Undergraduate Degree Requirements.

This major requires the completion of the World Language requirement. Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (BA) 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
ENGL 1015MATH 1075ENGL 2015
GEOS 100
& 100L (Natural Science BACR 1)		5Diversity - graduation requirement15GEOS 113 (Natural Science BACR 2)5
Humanities & Arts BACR 115Social Science BACR 115Humanities & Arts BACR 215
 15 15 15
Second Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
GEOS 200 (Social Science BACR 2)5Geosciences Elective25Geosciences Elective25
GEOS 321 or 3235Elective - minor or general elective5Geosciences Elective25
Elective - minor or general elective5Elective - minor or general elective5Elective - minor, or general elective5
 15 15 15
Third Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
GEOS 4971GEOS 460
& 460L		4Geosciences Elective25
Geosciences Elective25Geosciences Elective25Geosciences Elective25
Elective - minor or general elective5Elective - minor or general elective5Elective - minor or general elective5
Elective - minor or general elective5  
 16 14 15
Fourth Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
Geosciences Elective25Geosciences Elective25GEOS 490 (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
 15 15 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.  Students should connect with an advisor to ensure they are on track to graduate.

2

Electives–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).

3

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

University Competencies and Proficiencies

English 
Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning
Placement and Clearance 
Prior Learning/Sources of Credit AP, CLEP, IB

General Education Requirements (GER)

  • Minimum Credits—180 cumulative credit hours 
    • 60 upper-division credits (300 level or above)
    • 45 credits in residence (attendance) at Eastern, with at least 15 upper-division credits in major in residence at Eastern
  • Minimum Cumulative GPA ≥2.0

Breadth Area Core Requirements (BACR)

Humanities and Arts 
Natural Sciences 
Social Sciences

University Graduation Requirements (UGR)

Diversity Course List
World Language (for Bachelor of Arts)
Global Studies Course List
Minor or Certificate
Senior Capstone Course List

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

Use the Catalog Archives to determine two important catalog years.

  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.

Students who earn a BA in Geosciences from EWU 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.

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—like classrooms, clinics, or community agencies—that are often required for professional certification.
  • Service-Learning Experiences: Work on critical issues—such as food security, poverty, or climate change—that connect community service with what you’re 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.
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