Earth and Environmental Science (BS)

The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Earth and Environmental Science (EAS) is a science-based program designed to prepare students for a range of challenging careers in the broad fields of environmental and geologic sciences, including science education.  The degree program also provides a solid foundation for those looking to pursue advanced degrees in education, environmental studies, public policy, or law. Students in this degree track are accorded the flexibility to work with their advisors in selecting Geology, Geography, and other electives that will best prepare the student to meet their educational goals and the employment criteria for their chosen profession.  This degree offers students the opportunity to explore a wide range of sub-disciplines within the Earth Sciences, including: geology, hydrology, soil science, climate change, natural resource development, and sustainability.  Additionally, students can choose to develop critical skills in field-based geologic techniques, remote sensing, and geographic information systems (GIS).

Please see the UNLV College of Sciences, Department of Geoscience web page for information about department programs, faculty and facilities. Degree worksheets and 4/5 year plan for the major are available on the UNLV Degrees Directory.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the Geology program students will be:

• Demonstrate the ability to recognize, formulate, employ, and interpret the scientific methodology through the completion of a research project requiring the submission of a research paper and/or a presentation of one's findings.
• Demonstrate the knowledge of major rock types, geologic time, evolution, and earth history events through a combination of identification techniques, inclusion of such topics within the evaluation of broad-based essay questions, and/or their application as part of a student research project.
• Demonstrate the knowledge in various specializations within the field of earth science to solve appropriate research or applied problems through the successful completion of a broad range of geoscience courses.
• Demonstrate the ability to function independently, collaboratively, and ethically with others in the profession as colleagues and supervisors through project-based course work, participation in wider department functions, and/or through volunteering of one's time to support the activities of the department.
• Demonstrate the written and verbal communication skills required to convey contemporary theories in earth science and in how the Earth operates as a system through a range of written products and presentation opportunities included within course work and as other presentation opportunities arise (courses, volunteer school presentations and conferences).
• Demonstrate sufficient quantitative skills, and proficiencies in computers and multimedia systems for application in the analysis and presentation of earth science concepts.
• Demonstrate the ability to integrate accumulated skills and knowledge with a capstone experience for this degree comprising the successful completion of a research project as part of a regularly scheduled course or as an independent research experience, resulting in its presentation as part of the department's regularly scheduled Geosymposium research conference.  This also includes the ability to employ critical thinking skills.