Department of Earth Sciences

Environmental Geology Concentration

The geosciences have become increasingly more diversified fully embracing the Earth system as a whole.  Geoscience students today must know not only the solid Earth, but also how it interacts with the hydrosphere and atmosphere.  To better develop this foundational knowlege base, the Department of Earth Sciences created a major in Environmental Earth and Ocean Science (EEOS) with a concentration in Environmental Geology. The B.S. EEOS Geology concentration provides a solid grounding in the Earth Sciences while still meeting all of the curricular requirements for licensure as a professional geologist.  This program is designed for those students who have a passion for the solid Earth, its formation, its evolution, and its resources.  A Millersville degree prepares students for further study in graduate school or for a fulfilling career in the environmental sciences, whether that be work with state or federal government, private environmental consulting firms, or non-profit organizations. 

Required Earth Sciences Core

Environmental Earth and Ocean Science Core (20 credits)  Provides foundational knowledge in the Earth Science disciplines of geology, meteorology, and ocean sciences as well as critical environmental topics of hydrology and climate change.

  • ESCI 1XX or 2XX – Any 100- or 200-level Earth Science Class (3)
  • ESCI 221 Physical Geology (4)
  • ESCI 245 Environmental Meteorology (3)
  • ESCI 261 Introduction to Oceanography (4)
  • ESCI 322 Environmental Hydrology (3)
  • ESCI 385 Global Climate Change: Science & Policy (3)

Methods Courses: Choose 2 (6 credits)  Develops fundamental skills in geoscience methods such as GIS and geophysical tools. 

  • ESCI 281 GIS Applications for the Earth Sciences (3)
  • ESCI 380 Remote Sensing and Image Interpretation (3)
  • ESCI 423 Applied Geophysics (3)

Field Courses: Choose 1 (3 credits)  Provides the opportunity for students to hone their observational skills as well as apply techniques learned in the classroom.  Geologic field methods is a required course for licensure as a professional geologist.

  • ESCI 267 Field Methods (3)
  • ESCI 422 Geological Field Mapping (3-4)
  • ESCI 465 Biological Oceanography (3)

Geology Core: 22 credits  These courses are the foundation of geoscience programs that allow students to understand how the Earth evolves through geologic processes over time.

  • ESCI 222 Historical Geology (4)
  • ESCI 225 Geomorphology (3)
  • ESCI 321 Structural Geology (4)
  • ESCI 326 Sedimentation & Stratigraphy (4)
  • ESCI 327 Earth Materials (4)
  • ESCI 426 Groundwater Resources and Contamination (3)

Required Related Courses

Required Related courses supplement the major.  Students choose additional science courses that will support their major and intended career path. 

Total: 13-16 credits

  • MATH 160 Precalculus (4)
  • Any 3 courses in the sciences that count toward the major 
     

Suggested Minor

We strongly encourage EEOS students to select a minor to supplement their degree.  Those students interested in policy may want to consider a geography or government or even a science writing minor.  Those students interested in environmental systems might want to consider a minor in biology or environmental chemistry.  Those students interested in graduate school may want to consider minors in chemistry or physics.

The degree is flexible enough that students should be able to complete all of the requirements for both the major and minor in the 120 credits required for graduation.