Earth, Environmental, and Atmospheric Sciences
WKU Department of Earth, Environmental, and Atmospheric Sciences provides relevant, up-to-date, and integrative undergraduate and graduate educational experiences in the broader field of the earth, environmental, and atmospheric sciences. WKU EEAS strives to provide outstanding geoscience programs, with broad international connections, to meet the challenges of the Anthropocene. The Department offers three undergraduate programs, one undergraduate certificate, and one graduate program, which are designed to meet the career goals of students in a wide variety of geoscience areas. We aim to develop exceptional undergraduates and graduates in our programs and in colonnade courses, to engage students in critical thinking and problem-solving education, and relevant training in the classroom, laboratory, and field settings. We aim to enhance the reputation of the Department and its constituencies through meaningful research, community engagement, public service, and workforce development.
FIND YOUR PROGRAM
Bachelor of Science in Environmental, Sustainability, and Geographic Studies
This program is structured around foundational courses, technical coursework, and applied real-world experiences. It prepares students to think critically about the complexities of human-environmental interactions through technical coursework encompassing scientific writing, quantitative skills and data analysis, applied field- and lab-based experiences, and effective use of geospatial technologies.
Bachelor of Science in Geological Sciences
Interested in studying the Earth, our only home? Looking to make a difference for the Planet? The time has never been better to become a geoscientist as society’s interest in the environment and climate change is growing fast. Join WKU's Geological Sciences program, the civilization-saving science of the 21st Century, dedicated to fostering a sustainable planet. This degree prepares students for licensure as Professional Geologist upon graduation and for a wide variety of exciting career opportunities, including jobs in the corporate (e.g., environmental, engineering, mining, and energy), government (e.g., surveys, agencies, and park service), and academic sectors. We offer a unique and immersive student-centered active learning experience through exciting fieldwork in eye-popping places including the Mammoth Cave, environmental, groundwater/hydrology research, and cutting-edge technology like Raman microscopy, remote sensing, and 3D subsurface modeling that set this program apart. Geological Sciences is one of the largest undergraduate Geology/Earth Science programs in Kentucky. B.S. in Geological Sciences at WKU and includes three different tracks to choose from: Environmental Earth Science, General, and Geology.
Bachelor of Science in Meteorology
In addition to preparing students for immediate employment as meteorologists, the combination of advanced theoretical and applied coursework as well as experience with meteorological instrumentation and computer programming will provide a foundation for students who wish to pursue graduate school in the atmospheric sciences.
Geographic Information Systems, Certificate
This certificate is designed for students in a variety of disciplines that involve the analysis, mapping, display, and interpretation of geospatial data and information. Students who complete the program will have a solid foundation that spans the collection, management, analysis, interpretation, and display of data using GIS.
Emergency Management Disaster Science, Certificate
The certificate provides students, whether traditional or working professionals, an in-depth acumen related to incident management, risk identification, emergency planning, and emergency management program evaluation.
Master of Science in Geoscience
This program provides advanced professional training for careers as hydrologists, geologists, environmental resource managers, city and regional planners, engineering geologists, geophysical and geochemical geologists, meteorologists and climatologists, earth science teachers, Geographic Information Systems specialists, consultants in business and industry, and professional educators. The program also provides a scientific foundation for graduate students who plan to continue advanced studies leading to the Ph.D.
JUMP (Joint Undergraduate-Master's Program (B.S./M.S.) in Geoscience
This five-year Bachelor's/Master's program (JUMP) is available to highly motivated and qualified students. In this five-year course of study, students can earn a Bachelor of Science in Meteorology; Environment, Sustainability, and Geographic Studies; or Geological Sciences; and a Master's Degree in Geoscience. JUMP students take undergraduate coursework that is applied to the B.S. degree and graduate coursework that can be applied to both the B.S. and M.S. degrees. This program provides highly motivated and qualified students with an excellent opportunity to earn a Bachelor's and Master’s degree in an expedited time frame.
Full-time students from the border states (IL, IN, MO, OH, VA, WV) receive in-state tuition rates. Students from other states are eligible for greatly reduced tuition if they qualify for WKU scholarships. Apply Now.
EEAS is fully committed to meeting the expectations of its DEI statement through actions outlined in the EEAS DEI Action Plan.
Why is EEAS unique?
EEAS is home to Student-Centered Applied Learning. Numerous educational, research, and public service facilities (Research Centers and Labs) are housed within the department that provide exciting opportunities for a combination of theoretical and practical work to empower and connect students to their future professions. Students may choose to conduct research in any of the following research areas.
The Earth, Environmental, & Atmospheric Sciences (EEAS) LLC is a community designed for first-year majors in environmental, geographic, geological, meteorological, emergency management/disaster, and sustainability sciences. Although students may major in these distinctively different fields, the disciplines are highly interconnected, with the broad topics complementing and building upon each other.
Students will receive enhanced learning programs outside of the classroom to support a successful academic and eventual geoscience career. Non-majors who have a broad interest in these topics are also welcome.
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