Academic Catalog

Geosciences | Bachelor of Arts: Environmental Geosciences

Program Summary

General Education 34
Bachelor of Arts Language Requirement10
Major Core Courses28-29
Cognates19
Directed Electives6
Open Electives 122-33
Total Hours120
1

Open electives are the credit hours required to reach a minimum of 120 total hours and 45 upper-level hours.  The number listed assumes all courses are completed at FHSU as listed.  This number may vary if students transfer courses, or have individual substitutions allowed.  Students should speak with their advisor if either situation applies to determine if the number will vary, and to ensure they enroll in a minimum of 45 upper-level hours.   

Students entering within 1 year of high school graduation will take UNIV 101 Freshman Seminar and may apply that hour in the open elective category.

 Program Requirements

General Education

All undergraduate degrees require completion of the Kansas Systemwide General Education

Courses identified with GE on this page may satisfy a general education requirement in addition to the identified degree requirement.  Students who apply a degree requirement to satisfy a general education requirement will typically add an equal number of hours to the university elective category.  This flexibility may allow you to complete a minor or certificate within the 120 hour degree.  Transfer students and students majoring in programs with approved exceptions are especially encouraged to select these courses in completing General Education requirements to maximize the likelihood of completing the degree with 120 credit hours.  

General Education34-35

 BA Language Requirement

All FHSU students pursuing a BA degree are required to take two consecutive non-English language classes. Students taking beginning Spanish or French classes may be able to apply the first class to the Arts and Humanities area of the general education requirement.  

Bachelor of Arts Language Requirement10
Major Core Courses
GSCI 100Exploring Earth GE3
GSCI 101Earth and Environmental Systems GE3
GSCI 102Exploring Earth Laboratory GE1
GSCI 105Cultural Geography3
GSCI 240Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)3
GSCI 330Remote Sensing Concepts3
GSCI 340Humans, Rocks, and the Environment GE3
GSCI 360Intermediate Geographic Information Systems3
GSCI 685Writing in the Sciences3
Select one course from the following:3-4
Geostatistics and Spatial Data Analysis
Elements of Statistics
Biostatistics
and Biostatistics Lab
Cognates
BIOL 200Humans and the Environment GE3
BIOL 499Global Environmental Issues3
CHEM 100The Chemist's View of the World GE3
GSCI 110World Geography GE3
LDRS 407Global Challenges GE3
PHYS 102Physical Science GE3
PHYS 103Physical Science Laboratory GE1
Upper Division Directed Electives
Select 6 credits of the following:6
United States Geography
Geologic Hazards
Field Trips in Geology
Kansas Geography
Urban Geography: A Global Perspective
Hydrology and Water Resources
Field Studies in Geography
Aerial Photographs and Remote Sensing
Internship in Geosciences
Total Hours53-54

Degree Requirements

Bachelor of Arts Degree Language Requirement
Two consecutive semesters of a non-English Language
All bachelor degrees require:
GPA of 2.0 on FHSU courses & 2.0 on all coursework (Higher program requirements prevail over the 2.0 when set)
A minimum of 30 hours earned from FHSU with a grade of D, C, B, or A
Successful completion of an upper division Writing and Information Literacy course (Most majors contain a course designated)
A minimum of 45 hours of recognized upper division credit
A minimum of 120 hours of recognized college credit
Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallHours
ENG 101 English Composition I (SGE010 - English Discipline Area) 3
COMM 100 Fundamentals of Oral Communication (SGE020 - Communication Discipline Area) 3
GSCI 101
GSCI 103
Earth and Environmental Systems
and Earth and Environmental Systems Laboratory
4
UNIV 101 Freshman Seminar 1
SGE030 - Math Statistics Discipline Area 3
 Hours14
Spring
ENG 102 English Composition II (SGE010 - English Discipline Area) 3
GSCI 100
GSCI 102
Exploring Earth
and Exploring Earth Laboratory
4
PHYS 102
PHYS 103
Physical Science
and Physical Science Laboratory (SGE040 - Natural Physical Science Discipline Area)
4
SGE070 - Institutionally Designated Area: Critical Thinking 3
 Hours14
Second Year
Fall
GSCI 105 Cultural Geography 3
GSCI 240 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) 3
SGE070 - Institutionally Designated Area: Personal and Professional Development 3
SGE050 - Social Behavioral Sciences Discipline Area 3
SGE060 - Arts Humanities Discipline Area 3
 Hours15
Spring
GSCI 110 World Geography 3
GSCI 360 Intermediate Geographic Information Systems 3
CHEM 100 The Chemist's View of the World 3
SGE050 - Social Behavioral Sciences Discipline Area 3
SGE060 - Arts Humanities Discipline Area 3
 Hours15
Third Year
Fall
BIOL 200 Humans and the Environment 3
GSCI 340 Humans, Rocks, and the Environment 3
LDRS 407 Global Challenges 3
Concentration Course 3
Concentration Course 3
 Hours15
Spring
GSCI 630
Geostatistics and Spatial Data Analysis
or Elements of Statistics
3
GSCI 608 Environmental Impact Analysis 3
BIOL 499 Global Environmental Issues 3
Concentration Course 3
Concentration Course 3
 Hours15
Fourth Year
Fall
GSCI 685 Writing in the Sciences 3
Beginning Language Course 1 (Bachelor of Arts Language Requirement) 5
Open Electives 3
Open Electives 3
Open Electives 1
 Hours15
Spring
Beginning Language Course 2 (Bachelor of Arts Language Requirement) 5
Open Electives 3
Open Electives 3
Open Electives 3
Open Electives 3
 Hours17
 Total Hours120

Academic Degree Maps are term-by-term sample course plans that specify milestones, courses, and special requirements that are necessary for facilitating on-time completion. Degree Maps are examples and are not prescriptive. Individualized choices such as concentration options, transfer credits, optional minors, advisory programs (certificates), etc. can alter the recommended coursework. Course offerings are subject to change. Students should consult with their academic advisors for additional guidance on course planning.

To determine courses to take in the directed choices (often listed as Program Elective Course) and directed elective course blocks see the overview tab for courses. To locate approved courses in General Education areas (Undergraduate Programs) see the general education section of the catalog.

The undergraduate course maps typically advise the most efficient route for students to complete the general education requirements. Courses that are required in the major may be listed as fulfilling relevant general education requirements. This will result in more open elective course hours in some maps than is listed on the degree overview page.