EARTH SCIENCE DEGREES & PROGRAMS

Rock Formation

BS - Geology

The Bachelor of Science in Geology is a well-rounded physical science degree that is similar to a traditional geology degree. The UVU Earth Science degree, however, emphasizes aspects of the earth sciences that are applicable to today´s job market. The curriculum is designed to prepare graduates for careers in water resources, engineering geology, cleanup of polluted soil and groundwater, and oil and mineral exploration.

Learning Outcomes

  • Knowledge of the major fields of geology, including petrology, mineralogy, sedimentology, paleontology, structural geology, engineering geology, and hydrogeology.
  • Knowledge of interactions between geology and society, including energy resources, sources of metals and industrial minerals, water resources, and geologic hazards.
  • Ability to conduct geologic field work, including mapping rocks and soils using traditional and GPS-based methods, collecting samples of minerals, rocks, soil, and fossils for laboratory analysis, and conducting subsurface investigations using trenching and drilling.
  • Ability to use laboratory methods to identify and analyze samples of minerals, rocks, soil, and fossils.
  • Knowledge of career paths related to geology.
  • Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

Credits to Completion

120

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Power Plant

BS - Environmental Science and Management

The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Management includes courses in environmental law and policy, toxicology, and natural resources. This curriculum is designed to prepare students for careers helping private industries comply with environmental regulations, or careers working for the government agencies that enforce those regulations.

Learning Outcomes

  • Knowledge of the major environmental problems occurring in our society.
  • Knowledge of the major laws and regulations which are important to environmental managers and their organizations.
  • Knowledge of the role that environmental management plays in relation to government agencies, private industry, and public perception, in protecting the environment.
  • Knowledge of, and ability to use, the technologies used to prevent pollution and disease.
  • Knowledge of career paths related to environmental management.
  • Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

Credits to Completion

120

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freeway at night

BS - Environmental Studies

The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies is an interdisciplinary program that focuses on the complex relationships between humans and the natural world. The program equips students with the skills and perspectives necessary to solving some of the pressing environmental issues by combining a solid foundation of earth system science with social science and humanities courses. The program is flexible so that students can tailor the program to fit their interests and career goals. The program prepares students with a broad introduction to environmental issues so that they can further focus on specific areas and topics of their interest, such as sustainability, planning, policy, communication, business, ecology, geology, environmental science, geography, and more.

Learning Outcomes

  • Analyze the scientific underpinnings, social context, political ramifications, and their unevenly distributed impacts of key environmental challenges to design sustainable solutions.
  • Evaluate the links between social and natural systems to identify appropriate areas of intervention.
  • Critically assess environmental and sustainability programs, organizations, and reporting mechanisms to create new and/or revised programs, organizations, and reports.
  • Influence policy outcomes using existing laws, regulations, stakeholders, and interesting groups relating to environmental issues.
  • Create compelling written, verbal, and graphic presentations of environment and sustainability issues.

Credits to Completion

120

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Instructor writing on a whiteboard

BS - Earth Science Education

The Bachelor of Science degree in Earth Science Education prepares students to teach earth sciences at the secondary level (grades 7-12). The emphasis on hands-on and field-based learning at UVU gives our Earth Science Education students great personal experience to take to their own classrooms.

Learning Outcomes

  • Knowledge of the core fields of earth science, including petrology, mineralogy, sedimentology, structural geology, climatology, and meteorology.
  • Knowledge of interactions between earth science and society, including energy resources, sources of metals and industrial minerals, weather, and climate.
  • Knowledge of effective science teaching methods, ability to create lesson plans that utilize those methods, and ability to lead those lessons.
  • Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

Credits to Completion

121

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Drone view of a road

BS - Geography

The Bachelor of Science degree in Geography prepares students for a variety of interdisciplinary career fields. Geography is the study of the earth’s places, peoples, environments and their interrelationships from both the physical and social science perspectives. Geographers use many different scientific tools to study the relationships between earth’s systems including geospatial technology and are employed in public agencies, local governments, federal offices, technology sectors, business planning, and careers related to spatial planning.

Learning Outcomes

  • Technical Knowledge: Prior to graduation, our students will develop the necessary technical knowledge in Earth system science, geology, environmental science and management, geoscience education and geography, as well as underlying foundational and interdisciplinary sciences including physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics to succeed in professional careers related to their degree programs or in associated graduate programs.
  • Skill in oral and written communication:Our students will demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills that will enable them to succeed at presenting and publishing scientific data and reports. This includes orally presenting the results of research to technical and non-technical audiences and write technical and non-technical reports based upon original research and reviews of other literature and reports.
  • Skill in problem solving and reasoning: Our students will develop skills to critically evaluate scientific questions and address those questions using both logical, laboratory, geospatial, and other creative approaches.
  • Knowledge of agencies, laws, and regulations:Our students will graduate with knowledge of the relevant agencies (e.g., EPA, BLM, USGS, UGS, etc.) and the associated laws and regulations relevant to their field of study. Their knowledge will be sufficiently deep that they understand where and how to seek additional information to further educate themselves and conduct their work with accordance to all agencies, laws, and regulations.
  • Knowledge of Professional Options and Responsibilities: Our students will graduate with sufficient knowledge of the breadth of career opportunities available to them that they can obtain career satisfaction. Additionally, they will know of the primary responsibilities and the expectations of them within their chosen professional track such that they are successful in the eyes of their employer(s).

Credits to Completion

120

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Physics equations on a chalkboard

AS - Physical Science

The Associates Degree in Physical Science provides a knowledge base for students considering going further in the sciences with a Bachelors degree in Geology, Chemistry, Physics, or Environmental Science and Management. It can also be achieved as a stepping stone on the way to completing a Bachelors Degree or in conjunction with a certificate program.

Learning Outcomes

  • Develop broad foundational knowledge in the physical sciences by correctly using evidence, experiment and observation, interpretation, and physical concepts.
  • Demonstrate patterns of critical, scientific, and quantitative reasoning in application to problems or issues related to the physical sciences.
  • Follow practices necessary to safely and ethically use laboratory or other measurement equipment used in the physical sciences.
  • Graduate with a breadth of physical science knowledge enabling students to select and proceed with a BS degree program within the physical sciences.

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Charts on a computer

Certificate - Geography Information Systems

The Certificate of Proficiency in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) provides students with a focused program of study in the fundamentals required to succeed in a wide range of careers in geospatial science.

Learning Outcomes

  • Prior to graduation, our students will develop the necessary technical knowledge in Earth system science, geology, environmental science and management, geoscience education and geography, as well as underlying foundational and interdisciplinary sciences including physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics to succeed in professional careers related to their degree programs or in associated graduate programs.
  • Students will demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills that will enable them to succeed at presenting and publishing scientific data and reports.
  • Our students will develop skills to critically evaluate scientific questions and address those questions using both logical, laboratory, geospatial, and other creative approaches.
  • Our students will graduate with knowledge of the relevant agencies (e.g., EPA, BLM, USGS, UGS, etc.) and the associated laws and regulations relevant to their field of study.
  • Our students will graduate with sufficient knowledge of the breadth of career opportunities available to them that they can obtain career satisfaction. Additionally, they will know of the primary responsibilities and the expectations of them within their chosen professional track such that they are successful in the eyes of their employer(s).

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Water filtration plant

Certificate - Water & Wastewater Operations

The Certificate of Completion in Water and Wastewater Operations provides students with a focused program of study in the fundamentals required to succeed in a wide range of careers in water and wastewater treatment.

Learning Outcomes

  • With completion of this certificate, our students will develop the necessary technical knowledge towork in fields related to water delivery and treatment and to attain and maintain professional certification related to this career field.

Credits to Completion

30

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satelliteview of earth

Minor - Earth Science

The Minor in Earth Science can be combined with other college-wide Bachelor degrees. The minor provides students with a broad academic knowledge of foundational and scientific principles in this field of study. Following are the key knowledge, skill, and ability goals of this degree program:

Learning Outcomes

  • Knowledge of at least two of the core fields of earth science, including petrology, mineralogy, sedimentology, paleontology, structural geology, engineering geology, hydrology, climatology, and meteorology.
  • Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

Credits to Completion

22

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power plant

Minor - Environmental Science and Management

Environmental science is the study of the Earth’s surface, including its water and atmosphere, with a particular focus on their relationship to humans and other living things. Environmental science applies chemistry, physics, mathematics, and biology to answer questions about the Earth and its interrelationships with living things. Environmental management focuses on the maintenance of environmental resources, for example water resources. Environmental scientists may conduct studies in the field, in the laboratory using advanced analytical equipment, and in the office using specialized computer software. The program is preparation for a variety of career paths, including water monitoring, treatment, and pollution control with local, state, or federal agencies; environmental consulting with private industry; and other careers that draw on a background in the natural sciences, including law, public policy, and public health.

Learning Outcomes

  • Develop the necessary technical knowledge in environmental science and technology management and the underlying foundational and interdisciplinary sciences to succeed in their professional careers.
  • Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills that will enable them to succeed at presenting and publishing scientific data and reports.
  • Develop skills to critically evaluate scientific literature and scientific problems, identify existing and new scientific questions, and address those questions using both logical, laboratory, geospatial, and other creative approaches.
  • Articulate how the relevant governmental agencies (e.g., EPA, BLM, USGS, UGS,etc.) and the associated environmental laws and regulations relate to their field of study.
  • Illustrate that they have sufficient knowledge of the breadth of career opportunities available to them so that they can obtain career satisfaction.

Credits to Completion

21

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hands holding plants

Minor - Environmental Studies

Environmental Studies explores the complex links between human culture and the natural world. The program challenges students to critically examine both the ecological and social context of environmental issues and the numerous connections between natural and social systems, from local to global scales. It is undeniable that humans have a profound impact on the environment. To have the greatest positive influence, we must seek knowledge of the structure and function of natural systems, as well as an understanding of how culture affects the way we perceive nature.

globe

Minor - Geography

The Minor in Geography can be combined with other University-wide Bachelors degrees. The minor provides students with a broad introduction to physical, regional, and human geography. The minor may be used to develop interdisciplinary skills and applied skills such as geospatial analysis.

Learning Outcomes

  • Technical Knowledge: Prior to graduation, our students will develop the necessary technical knowledge in Earth systems and geography, as well as underlying foundational and interdisciplinary sciences including physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics to succeed in professional careers related to their degree programs or in associated graduate programs.
  • Skill in oral and written communication: Our students will demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills that will enable them to succeed at presenting and publishing scientific data and reports. This includes orally presenting the results of research to technical and non-technical audiences and write technical and non-technical reports based upon original research and reviews of other literature and reports.
  • Skill in problem solving and reasoning: Our students will develop skills to critically evaluate scientific questions and address those questions using both logical, laboratory, geospatial, and other creative approaches.
  • Knowledge of agencies, laws, and regulations: Our students will graduate with knowledge of the relevant agencies (e.g., EPA, BLM, USGS, UGS, etc.) and the associated laws and regulations relevant to their field of study. Their knowledge will be sufficiently deep that they understand where and how to seek additional information to further educate themselves and conduct their work with accordance to all agencies, laws, and regulations.
  • Knowledge of Professional Options and Responsibilities: Our students will graduate with sufficient knowledge of the breadth of career opportunities available to them that they can obtain career satisfaction. Additionally, they will know of the primary responsibilities and the expectations of them within their chosen professional track such that they are successful in the eyes of their employer(s).

Credits to Completion

20

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STUDENT/FACULTY SHOWCASE

Emily Limbs student experience

Student Spotlight

"After beating the odds as a child, Emily can do what she loves, including using her passion for the Earth to help her UVU professors conduct important research about Utah Lake."

UVU Professor Hilary Hungerford Named Fulbright Scholar

Faculty Showcase

Dr. Hilary Hungerford, associate professor of geography at Utah Valley University, has received the prestigious Fulbright Scholar Award. She and her family will live in Mongolia for the spring semester of 2024.

 
 
 
 

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College of Science

800 W. University ParkwayOrem, UT 84058
Utah Valley UniversityMS 299

801-863-8000

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