Bachelor of Science in Geological Sciences for Current & Prospective Students

Interested in studying the Earth, our only home? Looking to make a difference for the Planet? Aspire to shape your own future? Geological Sciences - the science of the 21st Century - is the ground zero for tackling global challenges like managing land, water, ocean, space, mineral, and energy resources in a sustainable way. Our program, which is the largest geology program in Kentucky, offers student-centered, active classes and immersive, hands-on learning opportunities in both labs and in the field.

With the rapid growth in climate change and environmental issues, the time has never been better to become a geologist.
Median geologist's salary $95,024 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

We prepare students for the testing and experience requirements for licensure exam as professional geologists (PG), along with a wide variety of exciting career opportunities including corporate (environmental, engineering, mining, and energy), government (surveying, agencies, and park service), and academic sectors.

Students can choose from three concentrations: Environmental Earth Science, Geology, and General (with a streamlined option to double major).

• • 59 semester hours are required for those interested in the Environmental Earth Science track in the program.
  • 65 semester hours are required for those interested in the Geology track in the program.
  • 42-44 semester hours are required for those interested in the General track in the program (a second major or minor is required only for this track).

Check out some of our students who are successfully double majoring.

Sure! This is very common for our program. We love to help you! Please contact Dr. Margaret Crowder.

Our students usually receive full tuition waivers and stipends for graduate programs, eliminating financial concerns. Click here to see where our graduates have continued their studies.

Recent graduates have pursued MS or PhD degrees at institutions like Vanderbilt, University of Arizona, University of Florida, University of Missouri-St. Louis, University of Kentucky, Western Kentuky University, Pennsylvania State University, Texas A&M, University of Rhode Island, George Mason, and more.

Check out here where our graduates go.

• Faculty-sponsored advanced research opportunities. Get more information for our research labs.
• Research presentation opportunity at WKU, national, and international research conferences.
• Research publication opportunity in peer-reviewed journals.
• Undergraduate research funding is avilable at WKU.
• Faculty-led research work through enrollling in 1-3 credit GEOL 399 course.

• Classrooms are equipped with unique economic and critical minerals, rocks, sediment cores, and fossil samples, state-of-the-art analytical and microscopy, high-quality image processing, and computational facilities.
• Core Geological Sciences courses provide amazing field trip opportunities during the semester including the Mammoth Cave course.

• Conference Presentation Experience
  Prepares students to present research in professional conferences and author/coauthor for peer-reviewed publications.
• Lab Analytical Experience
  Provides hands-on activities using State-of-the-art analytical, instrumentation and computational labs and abundant fieldworks to understand the geology of Kentucky and elsewhere.
• Job and Internship
  Prepares for job and internship opportunities in the corporate (environmental, mining industry, engineering), government (surveys, agencies, national park service), and academic sectors.
• Academic partnerships with professional labs and universities
  Provide opportunities for Academic partnerships with professional labs and universities.
• Student-centered Research
  Provide student-engaged active research opportunities with hands-on work using top-of-the line techniques, tools and equipment.

Our active WKU Geology Club is a professional student organization that strives to build an educated community of individuals interested in Earth. The club engages in diverse activities such as caving adventures, rock/mineral hunting, fieldtrip, K-12 outreach, and conservations. The club acts to educate the public, promote the Geological Sciences program and the Department, support current members, aid members in academics and outreach, and most importantly, have fun! The WKU Geology Club welcomes all who are interested. You don’t have to be a major to join! Check this out!

Why Not? We provide study abroad (Ireland through our department) and study away (e.g., Mammoth Cave) opportunities around the world.

WKU provides in-state Tuition for Border States with Kentucky.

Yes. Check out here.

Yes. We have the Earth, Environmental, & Atmospheric Sciences (EEAS) LLC for you to apply. For more information, please check here.