May 19, 2025  
2025-2026 Undergraduate Bulletin 
    
2025-2026 Undergraduate Bulletin

Earth and Environmental Sciences (B.S.)


Location: McCord Bldg., Room 203
Phone: 931-221-7454
Website: http://www.apsu.edu/ees


The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences offers a Bachelor of Science in Earth and Environmental Sciences with two concentrations, Geology and Geography that prepare students for working in a diversity of Geosciences specialties such as the geological sciences, environmental hazards, geographic information science, and global environment and development. In addition, we also offer minors in Geology, Geography, GIS and Water Resources Management.

 

The Geography concentration prepares students fora holistic examination of the Earth including ecosystem and atmospheric processes, natural hazards, and environmental management, relationships between nature and society, and understanding relationships between events around the work that cause changes to both in natural and socio-economic systems. Coursework will discuss topics such as spatial analysis, environmental protection, global security, international cooperation and regional development that ensure that students will become better stewards of the planet. Geography is interdisciplinary and offers diverse career opportunities in areas such as environmental management, disaster management and response, regional and economic development, careers abroad, and geographic information systems.

 

The Geology concentration encompasses the broad study of materials of the earth and processes that affect them as well as the evolution of life and its impact on earth materials and processes. Earth processes include volcanism, plate tectonics, earthquakes, landslides, and ground and surface water migration. Geologists utilize their knowledge to identify and assess environmental hazards such as a ground and surface water contamination, land surface stability, and volcanic and earthquake activity. Knowledge of earth processes also helps the geologist understand the formation occurrence, and extraction of natural resources such as water, oil and gas, and valuable minerals and metals. Geology is a great field of study for students who enjoy blending the outdoor physical environment with science. With consultation of a faculty advisor, our program prepares students for jobs in the geological sciences in private industry, state, and federal government, and teaching, or for entrance into graduate school in the Geosciences. Our graduates are successfully employed in the environmental field and in the exploration or production of natural resources. The Bachelor of Earth and Environmental Sciences with a concentration in Geology prepares students for state licensure to practice in the state of Tennessee.

Program CIP Code


25.40.0601.00

Program Modality


  • On-Ground

Program Student Learning Outcomes


Geography Concentration

  • Students will be able to demonstrate a proficiency in knowledge of essential concepts of physical and human geography including: an understanding of geographic coordinate systems employed to identify locations on the Earth’s surgace and being able to identify the various climate categories as defined by the Koppen Classification System.
  • Students will be able to demonstrate a proficiency in technical aspects of geography including the ability to apply fundamental concepts of cartography through the use of Geographic Information Systems software and being able to differentiate between and manipulate raster and vector data through the use of common applications.
  • Students will have the ability to effectively communicate, in writing, in a clear and organized manner using a scientifically appropriate style. 
  • Students will haevt he ability to communicate verbally in a clear and organized manner.