APPLIED GEOSCIENCES IN THE MODERN GEOLOGY CURRICULUM

Environmental geoscience is one of the fastest growing specializations within the broad spectrum of earth systems science. It is applied in a range of diverse situations, such as urban development, waste disposal, water quality management, engineering, soils and agriculture, and assessment of natural and artificial hazards. As such, it encompasses much that is covered in a traditional geology degree, but also requires expertise in a wide range of related fields, such as watershed science, soils, biology, statistics and GIS/remote sensing. The demand for environmental geoscientists is large enough that, during the past 10 years, over half of our geology graduates have hired into positions that would logically classify as “environmental geoscience,” even though they have not had all of the interdisciplinary training those positions normally require. Our goal is to provide our students with the appropriate interdisciplinary knowledge and training so they are qualified to readily fill those positions.

We have addressed this challenge by creating two new degree programs – a BS and an MS in Applied Environmental Geoscience. The BS degree integrates a geology core curriculum with electives that provide a broad interdisciplinary base in biology, chemistry, GIS and other areas. The geology core meets all requirements for certification as Professional Geologists, while the interdisciplinary electives address the breadth of real world consulting. The MS degree is a terminal professional degree (non-thesis) with flexible course requirements that allow each student to build a suitable program for themselves, in consultation with their graduate committee. The MS degree also emphasizes interdisciplinary coursework, and may be completed in about 12 months of full-time study. The MS degree is also suitable for working professionals and may be completed over an extended time frame, using online graduate courses offered through Utah State University.

To date we have had three students complete the MS program; the BS program has a small contingent but no one has graduated yet in that program (it was not approved until 2006). The MS program was recently approved by the Western Commission Higher Education for reduced tuition throughout the western states, and we have begun efforts to offer the program online for working professionals.