Selected Educational Outcomes

The program leading to the B. S. degree with a major in environmental geosciences is designed to prepare students to enter graduate programs in geography, planning, and related fields; or to embark upon careers in commerce, industry, government, or education. The specific educational objectives include the following:

  1. To provide a working knowledge of the basic research tools in physical and cultural geography, environmental research, and digital cartography;
  2. To provide the knowledge required to evaluate and interpret environmental data, address and analyze regional environmental questions, and synthesize and recommend solutions to a range of environmental problems;
  3. To provide the analytical and technical skills necessary for geographical research including spatial and temporal analysis, digital and conventional mapping, and analysis and interpretation of data;
  4. To provide a range of computer-based spatial analysis skills using Geographic Information Science (GIS) and other techniques for digital mapping, data manipulation and analysis, and applications issues.

Examples of Outcome Assessments

Assessment of the education outcomes for the environmental geosciences major is primarily the responsibility of the departmental Geography Area Committee, comprised of faculty with expertise in geography and cognate disciplines. The Committee assesses the extent to which the program requirements create the desired outcomes by using a variety of techniques. Examples of these assessments include the following:

  1. All student majors must make oral presentations of their research results to the departmental faculty and submit written copies of their research papers to the departmental office as part of the required Senior Thesis sequence (GEOG 4860/GEOL 4860 and GEOG 4861/GEOL 4861).
  2. Students must submit a departmental copy of their portfolios of undergraduate coursework, research projects, and professional activity at the end of their last semester of residence.
  3. At the time of major coursework completion, students must complete an exit questionnaire to determine the students’ perception of achievement of the major’s educational outcomes.
  4. Periodic surveys of alumni who have completed the environmental geosciences program will be conducted. These surveys will evaluate the relevancy of the major program to graduates’ present employment, their perception of success, and their personal satisfaction with the program. The surveys will also solicit suggestions for improvement of the environmental geosciences major program.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree with a Major in Environmental Geosciences—Geography Track

Core Curriculum 60
Core IMPACTS (See VSU Core Curriculum) 142
Environmental Geosciences majors are required to take MATH 1113 in and MATH 2261 in Area D2. Geography Track majors are advised to take 3 hours of a Foreign Language in Area C. They are advised to take BIOL 1107/BIOL 1107L and CHEM 1211/CHEM 1211L in Area D2 and advised to take GEOG 1100 in Area E.
Environmental Geosciences majors are required to take MATH 1113 in Mathematics and Quantitative Skills and MATH 2261 in Area D2. Geography Track majors are advised to take 3 hours of a Foreign Language in Area C. They are advised to take BIOL 1107/BIOL 1107L and CHEM 1211/CHEM 1211L in Area D2 and advised to take GEOG 1100 in Area E.
GEOG 1112KIntroduction to Weather and Climate (Environmental Geosciences majors are required to take MATH 1113 in Mathematics and Quantitative Skills and MATH 2261 in Area D2. Geography Track majors are advised to take 3 hours of a Foreign Language in Area C. They are advised to take BIOL 1107/BIOL 1107L and CHEM 1211/CHEM 1211L in Area D2 and advised to take GEOG 1100 in Area E. )4
GEOG 1113KIntroduction to Land Forms (Environmental Geosciences majors are required to take MATH 1113 in Mathematics and Quantitative Skills and MATH 2261 in Technology, Mathematics, and Sciences. Geography Track majors are advised to take 3 hours of a Foreign Language in Arts, Humanities, and Ethics. They are advised to take BIOL 1107/BIOL 1107L and CHEM 1211/CHEM 1211L in Technology, Mathematics, and Sciences and advised to take GEOG 1100 in Social Sciences.)4
Tools of Environmental Geoscience
Principles of Biology I
and Principles of Biology Laboratory I
Principles of Chemistry I
and Principles of Chemistry Laboratory I (if not taken in Technology, Mathematics, and Sciences)
Analytic Geometry and Calculus I (1 hour left over from Technology, Mathematics, and Sciences)
Elementary Statistics
The Universe of Energy
Senior College Curriculum- Geography Track60
Required upper-level geography courses
GEOG 3050Computer Cartography and Image Analysis3
GEOG 3052Advanced Geographic Information Systems3
GEOG 3210Introduction to Hydrology4
GEOG 3300Process Geomorphology4
GEOG 3410Cultural Geography3
GEOG 4710Statistics for Geoscientists3
GEOG 4860Geosciences Senior Seminar1
GEOG 4861Senior Thesis3
GEOG 4862Thesis Presentation2
Upper-level electives in a single discipline outside of GEOG 6
Additional Geosciences Electives above 30007
Other Supporting Courses
GEOG 2011Introduction to Geographic Information Science3
GEOL 1121KPrinciples of Physical Geology (if not taken in Technology, Mathematics, and Sciences)0-4
Modern Foreign Language (3 hours may be taken in Arts, Humanities, and Ethics) 3-6
Other Guided Electives (includes hours which carry over from Core Field of Study) 8-15
Total hours required for the degree120
1

 All core classes with prefixes GEOG must be completed with a grade of “C” or better.

2

Hours in excess of 18 will carry over to the senior curriculum.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree with a Major in Environmental Geosciences—Geology Track

Core Curriculum 60
Core IMPACTS (See VSU Core Curriculum) 1
Environmental Geosciences majors are required to take MATH 1113 in Mathematics and Quantitative Skills and MATH 2261 in Area D2. Geology Track majors are advised to take 3 hours of a Foreign Language in Area C. They are advised to take CHEM 1211/CHEM 1211L and CHEM 1212/CHEM 1212L in Area D2 and advised to take GEOG 1100 in Area E.
Environmental Geosciences majors are required to take MATH 1113 in Mathematics and Quantitative Skills and MATH 2261 in Technology, Mathematics, and Sciences. Geology Track majors are advised to take 3 hours of a Foreign Language in Arts, Humanities, and Ethics. They are advised to take CHEM 1211/CHEM 1211L and CHEM 1212/CHEM 1212L in Technology, Mathematics, and Sciences and advised to take GEOG 1100 in Social Sciences.
Principles of Physical Geology
Principles of Historical Geology
Tools of Environmental Geoscience
Principles of Chemistry I
and Principles of Chemistry Laboratory I (if not taken in Technology, Mathematics, and Sciences)
Principles of Chemistry II
and Principles of Chemistry Laboratory II (if not taken in Technology, Mathematics, and Sciences)
Analytic Geometry and Calculus I (1 hour left over from Technology, Mathematics, and Sciences)
Elementary Statistics
Introductory Physics I (the 4th hour will count in Other Supporting Courses in the Senior Curriculum)
Senior College Curriculum–Geology Track60
Required Departmental Courses
GEOL 3101Mineralogy3
GEOL 3102Petrology3
GEOL 3200History of Life3
GEOL 3410Structural Geology4
GEOL 3500Principles of Geochemistry3
GEOL 4110Principles of Sedimentation and Stratigraphy4
GEOL 4860Geosciences Senior Seminar1
GEOL 4861Senior Thesis3
GEOL 4862Thesis Presentation2
Upper-level Electives in a Single Discipline outside of GEOL 6
Additional Geoscience Electives above 3000 7
Other Supporting Courses
GEOG 1113KIntroduction to Land Forms (if not taken in Technology, Mathematics, and Sciences)0-4
GEOG 2011Introduction to Geographic Information Science3
Foreign Language (3 hours may be taken in Arts, Humanities, and Ethics) 3-6
Other Guided Electives (includes hours which carry over from core Field of Study area)8-15
Total hours required for the degree120
3

All core classes with prefixes GEOG and GEOL must be completed with a grade of “C” or better.

4

 Hours in excess of 18 will carry over to the senior curriculum.

 Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree with a Major in Environmental Geosciences—Environmental Sustainability Track

Core Curriculum60
Core IMPACTS (See VSU Core Curriculum)42
Environmental Geosciences majors are required to take MATH 1113 in Mathematics and Quantitative Skills and MATH 2261 in Tehcnology, Mathematics, and Sciences. Environmental Geosciences majors are advised to take 3 hours of a Foreign Language in Arts, Humanities, and Ethics. They are advised to take BIOL 1107K and CHEM 1211 in Technology, Mathematics, and Sciences and advised to take GEOG 1100 in Social Sciences.
Core Field of Study 1, 2
GEOG 1112KIntroduction to Weather and Climate4
GEOG 1113KIntroduction to Land Forms4
GEOG 2010Tools of Environmental Geoscience3
BIOL 1107
1107L
Principles of Biology I
and Principles of Biology Laboratory I (if not taken inTechnology, Mathematics, and Sciences)
3
CHEM 1211
1211L
Principles of Chemistry I
and Principles of Chemistry Laboratory I (if not taken in Technology, Mathematics, and Sciences)
3
ECON 1500Survey of Economics (if not taken in Social Sciences)3
MATH 1401Elementary Statistics3
MATH 2262Analytic Geometry and Calculus II (1 hour left over from Technology, Mathematics, and Sciences)1
Senior College Curriculum--Environmental Sustainability Track60
Required Upper-Level Courses27
GEOG 3020Global Climate Change3
GEOL 3010Environmental Geology3
GEOG 3100Regional Planning and Environmental Management3
GEOG 3510Urban Community Planning3
GEOG 3052Advanced Geographic Information Systems3
GEOG 4900Special Topics in Geography (Human Environmental Impact Analysis)3
GEOG 4900Special Topics in Geography (Natural Resource Sustainability and Conservation)3
GEOG 4860Geosciences Senior Seminar1
GEOG 4861Senior Thesis3
GEOG 4862Thesis Presentation2
Upper Level Electives12
Must complete at least one class from each category:
Environmental Analysis
Computer Cartography and Image Analysis
Application Issues in Geographic Information Systems
Statistics for Geoscientists
Earth's Natural Systems
Introduction to Biogeography
Environmental Chemistry
Meteorology and Climatology
Introduction to Hydrology
Environmental Soil Science
Geology, Hydrogeology, and Environmental Issues in Georgia
Human Systems
Environmental Economics
Cultural Geography
Environmental Philosophy
Ethics and the Environment
Comparative Environmental Politics and Policy
Special Topics in U.S. Government and Politics (Environmental Law)
Other Supporting Courses21
GEOG 1125Resources, Society, and Environment3
GEOG 2011Introduction to Geographic Information Science3
Modern Foreign Language (3 hours may be taken in Arts, Humanities, and Ethics)3-6
Other Guided Electives (includes hours which carry over from Core Field of Study)9-12
Total hours required for the degree120
1

All core classes with prefixes GEOG or GEOL must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.

2

Hours in excess of 18 will carry over to the senior curriculum.

 Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree with a Major in Environmental Geosciences— Geospatial Technology and Urban Planning Track

Core Curriculum 160
Core IMPACTS (See VSU Core Curriculum)42
Core Field of Study 2
GEOG 1112KIntroduction to Weather and Climate4
GEOG 1113K
GEOG 1113L
Introduction to Land Forms
and Introduction to Landforms Lab
4
GEOG 2010Tools of Environmental Geoscience3
BIOL 1107
1107L
Principles of Biology I
and Principles of Biology Laboratory I
3
CHEM 1211
1211L
Principles of Chemistry I
and Principles of Chemistry Laboratory I
3
PHSC 1100The Universe of Energy3
MATH 1401Elementary Statistics3
MATH 2261Analytic Geometry and Calculus I4
Senior College Curriculum60
GEOG 3050Computer Cartography and Image Analysis3
GEOG 3052Advanced Geographic Information Systems3
GEOG 3100Regional Planning and Environmental Management3
GEOG 3210Introduction to Hydrology4
GEOG 4860Geosciences Senior Seminar1
GEOG 4861Senior Thesis3
GEOG 4862Thesis Presentation2
Choose two of the following:6
Application Issues in Geographic Information Systems
Urban Community Planning
Special Topics in Geography
Upper-level electives in a single discipline outside of GEOG6
Additional Geoscience electives above 30008
Other Supporting Courses21
Principles of Physical Geology
Resources, Society, and Environment
Introduction to Geographic Information Science
Modern Foreign Language (3 hours may be taken in Arts, Humanities, and Ethics)3-6
Other Guided Electives (includes hours which carry over from Core Field of Study)5-8
Total hours required for the degree120
1

All core classes with prefixes GEOG or GEOL must be completed with a grade of C or better.

2

Hours in excess of 18 will carry over to the senior curriculum.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree with a Major in Environmental Geosciences— Natural Hazards Management Track

Core Curriculum60
Core IMPACTS (See VSU Core Curriculum) 142
Core Field of Study 218
GEOG 1112KIntroduction to Weather and Climate4
GEOG 1113
1113L
Introduction to Landforms
and Introduction to Landforms Lab
4
GEOG 2010Tools of Environmental Geoscience3
BIOL 1107
1107L
Principles of Biology I
and Principles of Biology Laboratory I
4
CHEM 1211
1211L
Principles of Chemistry I
and Principles of Chemistry Laboratory I
3
PHSC 1100The Universe of Energy3
MATH 1401Elementary Statistics3
MATH 2261Analytic Geometry and Calculus I4
Senior College Curriculum60
Required upper-level courses25
GEOG 3020Global Climate Change3
GEOG 3052Advanced Geographic Information Systems3
GEOG 3210Introduction to Hydrology4
GEOG 4900Special Topics in Geography1-6
GEOG 4860Geosciences Senior Seminar1
GEOG 4861Senior Thesis3
GEOG 4862Thesis Presentation2
Choose one of the following3
Regional Planning and Environmental Management
Urban Community Planning
Upper-level electives in a single discipline outside of GEOG6
Additional Geoscience electives above 30008
Other Supporting Courses21
Our Hazardous Environment
Introduction to Geographic Information Science
Modern Foreign Language (3 hours may be taken in Arts, Humanities, and Ethics)3-6
Other Guided Electives (includes hours which carry over from Core Field of Study)5-8
Total hour required for the degree120
Principles of Physical Geology
1

All core classes with prefixes GEOG or GEOL must be completed with a grade of C or better.

2

Hours in excess of 18 will carry over to the senior curriculum.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree with a Major in Environmental Geosciences— Environmental and Climate Sciences Track

Core Curriculum 60
Core IMPACTS (See VSU Core Curriculum) 142
Core Field of Study 218
GEOG 1112KIntroduction to Weather and Climate4
GEOG 1113
1113L
Introduction to Landforms
and Introduction to Landforms Lab
4
GEOG 2010Tools of Environmental Geoscience3
BIOL 1107
1107L
Principles of Biology I
and Principles of Biology Laboratory I
3
CHEM 1211
1211L
Principles of Chemistry I
and Principles of Chemistry Laboratory I
3
PHSC 1100The Universe of Energy3
MATH 1401Elementary Statistics3
MATH 2261Analytic Geometry and Calculus I4
Senior College Curriculum60
Required upper-level courses25
GEOG 3020Global Climate Change3
GEOG 3050Computer Cartography and Image Analysis3
GEOG 3210Introduction to Hydrology4
GEOG 4900Special Topics in Geography1-6
GEOG 4860Geosciences Senior Seminar1
GEOG 4861Senior Thesis3
GEOG 4862Thesis Presentation2
Upper-level electives in a single discipline outside of GEOG6
Additional Geoscience electives above 30008
Other Supporting Courses21
GEOL 1121KPrinciples of Physical Geology4
GEOG 1120Introductory Oceanography3
GEOG 2011Introduction to Geographic Information Science3
Modern Foreign Language (3 hours may be taken in Arts, Humanities, and Ethics)3-6
Other Guided Electives (includes hours which carry over from Core Field of Study)5-8
Total hours required for the degree120
1

All core classes with prefixes GEOG or GEOL must be completed with a grade of C or better.

2

Hours in excess of 18 will carry over to the senior curriculum.