Capstone: Poster Presentation at the Annual Geosymposium

Students who choose the Bachelor degree in Earth and Environmental Science route have to take Geology 430/630: Geographic Informations Systems: Theory and Application as a required class.

This class teaches the fundamentals of spatial analysis using ESRI’s ArcGIS Pro software and is akin to modern-day cartographic studies using quantitative data to represent an earth process. Students will collaborate with peers on a group project, employing GIS, that is to be presented at each year’s annual Geosymposium.

B.S. in Earth and Environmental Worksheet:

A downloadable PDF is available below for students who want to view course requirements for the Earth and Environmental major.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Demonstrate the ability to recognize, formulate, employ, and interpret the scientific methodology through the completion of a research project requiring the submission of a research paper and/or a presentation of findings.
• Demonstrate the knowledge of major rock types, geologic time, evolution, and earth history events through a combination of identification techniques, inclusion of such topics within the evaluation of broad-based essay questions, and/or their application as part of a student research project.
• Demonstrate the knowledge in various specializations within the field of earth science to solve appropriate research or applied problems through the successful completion of a broad range of geoscience courses.
• Demonstrate the ability to function independently, collaboratively, and ethically with others in the profession as colleagues and supervisors through project-based coursework, participation in wider department functions, and/or through volunteering of one’s time to support the activities of the department.
• Demonstrate written and verbal communications skills to convey contemporary theories in earth science and how the Earth operates as a system through a range of written products and presentation opportunities included within coursework and as other presentation opportunities arise.
• Demonstrate sufficient quantitative skills and a proficiency in computers and multimedia systems for application in the analysis and presentation of earth science concepts.
• Demonstrate the ability to integrate accumulated skills and knowledge with a capstone experience for this degree comprising the successful completion of a research project as part of a regularly scheduled course or as an independent research experience, resulting in its presentation as part of the department’s regularly scheduled Geosymposium research conference.  This also includes the ability to employ critical thinking skills.

Career Opportunities

Students who complete the BS in Earth and Environmental Sciences are ideally suited for introductory-level jobs in environmental consulting, energy exploration, mining, state or federal government agencies.

Specialization through taking specific combinations of classes may provide additional employment opportunities in a number of sub-disciplines, and those who are interested in teaching at the middle to high school level are well qualified with this degree, in combination with teaching credentials.

These jobs are often field-oriented work, where geologists collect soil, water and rock samples for lab analysis and mapping. Many industries and agencies provide additional training to BS-level geologists that allow them to perform specialized work in a particular sub-discipline.

Experience in sub-disciplines such as paleontology, hydrology, soil science, geospatial sciences, or planetary geology can be gained through courses taken to satisfy this degree.

For more information on potential careers in the earth sciences, view the UNLV College of Science Career Guide here.

In order to determine which courses are most beneficial, it is important to discuss these options with an advisor.