Bachelor of Science in Geological Sciences for Current & Prospective Students
Geological Sciences is the science of our Planet and is the ground zero for tackling global challenges like managing land, water, ocean, space, mineral, and energy resources in a sustainable way. Society’s interest in the environment and climate change is growing fast. The time has never been better to become a geological scientist.
Students in our program enjoy excellent career-building opportunities in the world-class Crawford Hydrology Lab with karst and groundwater research and in other cutting-edge research labs (e.g., Crawford Hydrology, Landscape Geodynamics, SrataMax, and Reynolds Geological Resources Labs). We provide expert guidance, mentorship, and career advice while creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment for students.
Students in Geological Sciences B.S. program can choose between three concentrations
If you are an Incoming Geological Sciences Major, you are eligible to apply our Living Learning Community -
Earth, Environmental, and Atmospheric Sciences (EEAS) LLC.
Frequently Asked Questions for Prospective Students about the Geological Sciences Program
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.
All of our concentration provides core geology knowledge base for students to pursue the Professional Geologist licensure.
Students can choose from three concentrations: Environmental Earth Science, Geology, and General (with a streamlined option to double major).
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- 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 under 'Research Tab'.
- Research presentation opportunity at WKU, national, and international research conferences. Learn More
- Research publication opportunity in peer-reviewed journals.
- Undergraduate research funding is avilable at WKU. Learn More
- Faculty-led research work through enrollling in 1-3 credit GEOL 399 course. Learn More
- 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. Learn More
- Core Geological Sciences courses provide amazing field trip opportunities during the semester including the Mammoth Cave course. Learn More
- 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? Our department offer study abroad (e.g., Ireland) and study away (e.g., Mammoth Cave) opportunities. You may also get study abroad research experience by involving with a faculty's research.
WKU provides in-state Tuition for Border States with Kentucky . Full-time, first-time freshmen who are residents of any state that borders Kentucky can attend WKU for the in-state tuition rate. This scholarship will lower the tuition cost by nearly 60% for most students, and students can still stack on other institutional scholarships to further reduce cost. Eligible states include Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Yes. We have the Earth, Environmental, & Atmospheric Sciences (EEAS) LLC for you to apply. For more information, please check here.
Any More Questions? We are Ready to Answer! Please Email Geological Sciences Program Coordinator Dr. Nahid Gani
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