This degree is ideal for students with interests in environmental and climate science including meteorology and ocean sciences, public policy and outreach, and high school teaching. This degree includes flexible general elective credits which can be used towards fulfilling a minor or second major in a related topic of interest. Electives can include study abroad or field courses, if interested. Each student in this degree program completes a research project on a topic of their interest, mentored by one or more faculty members, with opportunities for collaborations outside the university. Research opportunities include paid summer research programs outside JMU and potential internships at government agencies and private companies.

We recommend completing courses equivalent to JMU’s GEOL 110 plus GEOL 110L, OR GEOL 115 plus GEOL 115L. We also recommend making progress through or completing the JMU language requirement for a BA degree, through the equivalent of JMU’s 232 course level. If you have the opportunity and are interested before matriculation at JMU, it is useful to complete some of the following math and science courses required for the major. These include at least one mathematics course which is equivalent to JMU’s MATH 205, or MATH 232, or MATH 235. These also include the equivalent courses to JMU’s BIO 140 plus BIO 140L, CHEM 131 plus CHEM 131L, or PHYS 140 plus PHYS 140L.

• Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year
• Connect with an advisor at your community college and James Madison University within your first year via College Connect

Undergraduate students have opportunities to serve as paid course assistants and/or participate in spring break and summer field programs. This degree includes flexible general elective credits which can be used towards fulfilling a minor or second major in a related topic of interest. Some students elect this degree together with an Education minor for preparation to be middle or high school Environmental and Earth Science teachers. As part of the required research experience, students may choose to present their findings at regional or national meetings, gaining further experience and connections that place them at an advantage for admission into graduate programs and employment.

The Department of Geology and Environmental Science has a nationally-recognized faculty in a range of research subdisciplines, including geoscience education. Our department has an excellent collection of modern analytical equipment for laboratory and field work and is known as a premier undergraduate geosciences program. Students graduating from JMU with a B.A. in Earth Science can enter a wide range of careers or graduate programs according to their interests. These have included environmental law, environmental public policy and outreach, and high school and middle school teaching.

• Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree?
• Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: James Madison University