Program Details
Program Details
Back to top

Program Details

Geology (Environmental) - Bachelor of Science

Bachelor of Science
William & Mary

The program of the Department of Geology is designed to provide each major with a strong, broad background in geology that is sufficiently flexible to allow students freedom to follow their own interests. The major may choose one of two options, either general geology or environmental geology. Ample opportunity is available for independent student research and such research is an integral part of the curriculum regardless of the option chosen. The geologic setting of Williamsburg enhances the program in geology and offers a wide variety of areas for field study. Situated on the Coastal Plain with its excellent exposures of sediments and fossils, the College is only 50 miles from the Fall Zone beyond which are the igneous and metamorphic rocks of the Piedmont. The Blue Ridge and Valley & Ridge areas of the Appalachian Mountains are within a three-hour drive. Thus the field study area includes all major rock types and representatives of most geologic time periods from Precambrian to Holocene.


Program Overview & Guidance
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Program Web Page
External Link
Delivery Mode
In-Person
Check Course Schedules
Delivery Mode
Online
Check Course Schedules
Delivery Mode
Hybrid
Check Course Schedules
Program Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree
Considerations When Selecting Courses

  • 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 William & Mary within your first year via College Connect
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses
Doing More With Your Degree
Program Successes & Highlights
Program Credit Requirements
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Credit and Course Requirements for the Program are expected in a future release. Please look above to see if a Transfer Guide is available for this program. If you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college.

If you wish to see how your credits may apply, you can:
  • Contact the institution where a staff member can help you map your credits to the requirements for this program.
  • View the program requirements listed in the institution's catalog.
If you are interested in the cost of attending this institution, please visit the institution's cost page to review costs
Applicable Admissions Agreements
Expand or Shrink Accordion

The table below lists admissions agreements between William & Mary and partner institutions that may guarantee admission to this program if you meet the required criteria. Click on the title name of the agreement to view a summary of those criteria.

Institution Name Type Title
Richard Bland College GAA The Guaranteed Admission Agreement between William & Mary and Richard Bland College
Richard Bland College Bridge Program Bridge Program between William & Mary and Richard Bland College
Blue Ridge Community College GAA The Guaranteed Admission Agreement between William & Mary and the VCCS.
Central Virginia Community College GAA The Guaranteed Admission Agreement between William & Mary and the VCCS.
Danville Community College GAA The Guaranteed Admission Agreement between William & Mary and the VCCS.
Mountain Gateway Community College GAA The Guaranteed Admission Agreement between William & Mary and the VCCS.
Eastern Shore Community College GAA The Guaranteed Admission Agreement between William & Mary and the VCCS.
Germanna Community College GAA The Guaranteed Admission Agreement between William & Mary and the VCCS.
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College GAA The Guaranteed Admission Agreement between William & Mary and the VCCS.
Brightpoint Community College GAA The Guaranteed Admission Agreement between William & Mary and the VCCS.
Laurel Ridge Community College GAA The Guaranteed Admission Agreement between William & Mary and the VCCS.
Mountain Empire Community College GAA The Guaranteed Admission Agreement between William & Mary and the VCCS.
New River Community College GAA The Guaranteed Admission Agreement between William & Mary and the VCCS.
Northern Virginia Community College GAA The Guaranteed Admission Agreement between William & Mary and the VCCS.
Paul D. Camp Community College GAA The Guaranteed Admission Agreement between William & Mary and the VCCS.
Patrick & Henry Community College GAA The Guaranteed Admission Agreement between William & Mary and the VCCS.
Piedmont Virginia Community College GAA The Guaranteed Admission Agreement between William & Mary and the VCCS.
Rappahannock Community College GAA The Guaranteed Admission Agreement between William & Mary and the VCCS.
Southside Virginia Community College GAA The Guaranteed Admission Agreement between William & Mary and the VCCS.
Southwest Virginia Community College GAA The Guaranteed Admission Agreement between William & Mary and the VCCS.
Tidewater Community College GAA The Guaranteed Admission Agreement between William & Mary and the VCCS.
Virginia Peninsula Community College GAA The Guaranteed Admission Agreement between William & Mary and the VCCS.
Virginia Highlands Community College GAA The Guaranteed Admission Agreement between William & Mary and the VCCS.
Virginia Western Community College GAA The Guaranteed Admission Agreement between William & Mary and the VCCS.
Wytheville Community College GAA The Guaranteed Admission Agreement between William & Mary and the VCCS.

You can view the full text of these Agreements in the Resource Center

What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Transfer Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion If you are applying to W&M as a true transfer student, meaning you have graduated from high school AND have at least one full time semester in college SINCE your high school graduation, AND you have earned an Associates of Arts, Associate of Sciences, or Associate of Arts and Sciences degree in a baccalaureate-oriented program from the Virginia Community College System or Richard Bland College you are granted junior academic status (you'll get at least 54 transfer credits). You will also have some of our general education requirements met via your Associates degree. An associate's degree in General Studies is not considered a baccalaureate-oriented program, unless approved as such by the State Council on Higher Education for Virginia.

Students transferring (not new freshmen) who have earned an Associates degree after their High School graduation date, with an Associate of Arts, Associate of Sciences, or Associate of Arts and Sciences degree in a baccalaureate-oriented program from the Virginia Community College System or Richard Bland College are granted junior academic status (defined as at least 54 credits). An associate's degree in General Studies is not considered a baccalaureate-oriented program, unless approved as such by the State Council on Higher Education for Virginia.
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School Students entering as new freshmen, who have earned an Associates degree concurrent with their High School graduation date, will NOT have the same guarantees as a Transfer student who has earned an Associates degree post their High School graduation date.
Credit for Prior Learning William & Mary does accept as transfer credit, credit for prior learning. Please check out this webpage to view the places where we do award transfer credit. https://www.wm.edu/offices/registrar/studentsandalumni/transfercredit/apib/index.php
Did You Know That...
  • 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: William & Mary
College Level Information
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Transfer Center
External Link
Transfer Admission Application
External Link
Transfer Student Aid
External Link
Number of Transfer Students
275
Percent of Accepted Transfer Students
W&M typically admits 40-60% of transfer applicants, depending on the cycle and strength of the applicant pool. Our most...see moreW&M typically admits 40-60% of transfer applicants, depending on the cycle and strength of the applicant pool. Our most competitive students have at least a 3.5 GPA and have taken a variety of courses across disciplines.
College Fit Guidance What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me? Answer these questions to help you decide if William & Mary is right for you! Do you want to go to school in a small-ish town, but has easily accessible larger cities nearby (like Washington DC, Richmond, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach)? Do you want to conduct research with a factulty member as an undergraduate? Do you want to have (mostly) small class sizes? Do you want to take part in service activities? Do you want to have fun, like take part in the "Seventh Grade Comedy Club", or participate in club sports and organizations? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then William & Mary might be right for you. Our students work hard and play hard. Be sure to dig deep into our web page to find out more about all there is to learn and do at W&M!
Transfer Student Catalog Year Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance. Https://catalog.wm.edu
First Year Student Catalog Year Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance.
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions https://www.wm.edu/admission/undergraduateadmission/how-to-apply/transfers/vccs_students/index.php
Where Can This Degree Transfer
Expand or Shrink Accordion
This section displays degrees most closely related to this program and to which you may be able to transfer. So, you can use this list to find the next degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program page.

Institution Title Degree Award Name Award Level Delivery Mode
Wytheville Community CollegeAssociate of Arts & Sciences Degree in Science AssociateAssociate of Arts & Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Mountain Gateway Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in ScienceAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online
Germanna Community CollegeAssociate of Arts & Sciences Degree in ScienceAssociateAssociate of Arts and Sciences2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
J Sargeant Reynolds Community CollegeAssociate of Science in ScienceAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Brightpoint Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in ScienceAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Northern Virginia Community CollegeScience, A.S.AssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online
Virginia Peninsula Community CollegeAssociate of Science in ScienceAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online
Tidewater Community CollegeAssociate of Science - ScienceAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person
Virginia Western Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in ScienceAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Wytheville Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in ScienceAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
James Madison UniversityBachelor of Arts, Major in Earth ScienceBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
James Madison UniversityBachelor of Science, Major in GeologyBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Richard Bland CollegeAssociate of Science-Physical ScienceAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Radford UniversityBA in GeologyBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Radford UniversityBS in GeologyBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Virginia Wesleyan UniversityBachelor of Arts in Earth and Environmental SciencesBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Virginia Wesleyan UniversityBachelor of Science in Earth and Environmental Sciences (Online Program)BachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
George Mason UniversityGeology, BABachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
George Mason UniversityGeology, BSBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Careers Where This Degree Applies
Expand or Shrink Accordion
O*Net Code Name Description Parent
25-1051.00Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, PostsecondaryTeach courses in the physical sciences, except chemistry and physics. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching, and those who do a combination of teaching and research.Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
11-9121.01Clinical Research CoordinatorsPlan, direct, or coordinate clinical research projects. Direct the activities of workers engaged in clinical research projects to ensure compliance with protocols and overall clinical objectives. May evaluate and analyze clinical data.Management Occupations
19-4043.00Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic TechniciansAssist scientists or engineers in the use of electronic, sonic, or nuclear measuring instruments in laboratory, exploration, and production activities to obtain data indicating resources such as metallic ore, minerals, gas, coal, or petroleum. Analyze mud and drill cuttings. Chart pressure, temperature, and other characteristics of wells or bore holes.Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
19-2042.00Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and GeographersStudy the composition, structure, and other physical aspects of the Earth. May use geological, physics, and mathematics knowledge in exploration for oil, gas, minerals, or underground water; or in waste disposal, land reclamation, or other environmental problems. May study the Earth's internal composition, atmospheres, and oceans, and its magnetic, electrical, and gravitational forces. Includes mineralogists, paleontologists, stratigraphers, geodesists, and seismologists.Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
19-2043.00HydrologistsResearch the distribution, circulation, and physical properties of underground and surface waters; and study the form and intensity of precipitation and its rate of infiltration into the soil, movement through the earth, and return to the ocean and atmosphere.Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
11-9121.00Natural Sciences ManagersPlan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.Management Occupations
11-9121.02Water Resource SpecialistsDesign or implement programs and strategies related to water resource issues such as supply, quality, and regulatory compliance issues.Management Occupations
Cost To Complete
Expand or Shrink Accordion

This section provides you with a very high-level estimate of your costs and is purely intended as a guide. You should consult the institution via College Connect to get a more detailed estimate based on the totality of your circumstances. The selections below are based on information gathered from your Profile and the estimated costs are calculated based on the 120 credits remaining to be completed

Please select the "Cumulative Months of Service" that determine your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.
Estimated Cost for the Plan Name Not Provided at William & Mary
These costs are based on an estimated 8 semesters or 4 years remaining to complete this degree (assuming a full-time load of 16 hours per semester)
Category Cost Basis Cost (To You) Estimated Benefits Net Cost Notes
Tuition $17,434 Per Semester $139,472 $0 $139,472 Flat rate tuition is charged if a student is enrolled in 12 UG credits or more. The per credit hour rate is 581 for students enrolled in less than 12 credits. Please see this page for details on tuition and fees https://www.wm.edu/offices/financialoperations/sa/tuition/undergraduate/index.php
Fees
Fee $6,536 Per Semester $52,288 0 $52,288 Flat rate fee is only charged if a student is enrolled in 12 UG credits or more
Room & Board $13,534 Per Semester $108,272 0 $108,272 This is an average cost of room and board
Books, Travel & Incidentals $3,320 Per Semester $26,560 0 $26,560 Books, travel and incidentals are not included on the student bill, but are included here to let you know these average additional costs.
*Please note that the above estimated costs do not include all Federal, State or other financial aid, grants, scholarships, etc. for which you may qualify. All such aid could substantially reduce these costs.
Other Financial Aid to Pay for College:
  • You may be eligible for additional financial aid from Federal, State, and Local sources. Military education benefits are not considered in determining eligibility for federal financial aid. Everyone is therefore encouraged to apply for federal financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), because many will qualify for additional educational funds like Pell Grants, worth over $5,500/yr.