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Environmental Geosciences Major (B.S.)

Environmental Geosciences Major (B.S.)

Major in Environmental Geoscience (B.S.)

The major in Environmental Geoscience (B.S.) is designed for students who plan to seek professional employment in the environmental geoscience sector or continue for advanced study in related fields. Students who pursue this degree program are introduced to concepts of geoscience relevant to environmental assessment and remediation including Earth materials, stratigraphy, hydrogeology, and GIS. The degree provides the curriculum necessary to prepare for a career as a licensed Professional Geologist, a designation required to lead environmental geoscience projects in most states in the U.S.

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Interested in studying environmental geoscience? Students applying to IU for Fall 2026 should contact the College's recruiting team. Current IU students can speak with their academic advisor.

This degree will help you prepare for a career as a licensed Professional Geologist

How can this major lead to a career in the Environmental sector?

The environmental sector of the geosciences is a rapidly growing industry. Students wanting to pursue careers in the environmental geosciences need to develop proficiency in computational tools such as GIS as well as general geoscience knowledge that prepares them for taking the National Association of State Boards of Geology (ASBOG) examination.

The innovative nature of this degree is the direct preparation for the Fundamentals of Geology exam and clear curricular pathway for students wishing to pursue a career in environmental remediation.

Careers in the environmental geoscience sector include assessment of environmental conditions for commercial, industrial, or residential development; remediation of water, soil, and soil vapor contamination; hazard, habitat, and paleontological mitigation; as well as jobs in government agencies or chemical, manufacturing, mining, oil and gas, and railroad industries to name a few. Environmental geoscientists are often employed by these industries to provide expertise in the science of site assessment, characterization, clean-up, and protection. There is also growing demand for students with expertise in regional or global analyses of water, energy, and mineral resources, and linkages with global environmental change.

Jobs in the Environmental Sector

The environmental consulting, remediation, and mitigation industries have seen consistent growth over the past few decades as companies have become more cognizant of their impact on soil and water resources and new state and federal environmental regulations have taken effect. Our students have been hired within this sector by firms such as Arcadis, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Land Management, North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, and Ramboll Environmental, to name a few.

We prepare you for the first exam

Students are interested in pursuing a major with a clear pathway for a career in environmental assessment, remediation, and protection. The Greater Indianapolis area has more than 30 environmental consulting firms.

The curriculum is designed to require the breadth of material covered by a professional licensure examination. To lead environmental geoscience projects, many states require licensure as a “Professional Geologist” (PG). This licensure is acquired through a process administered by the National Association of State Boards of Geology (ASBOG). 37 states including Indiana require a PG to lead consulting projects.

The first exam in the process of becoming a licensed PG, the Fundamentals of Geology (FG exam), is recommended to be taken during the last year of a B.S. degree program in Geoscience or shortly thereafter. Passing this exam allows the student to become a “Geologist in Training” according to ASBOG credentials. After a number of years working in environmental or other geoscience related field, the candidate is then allowed to take the “Professional Geologist” examination. The number of years working varies by state but is typically five years. Completion of these exams allows the candidate to receive their license as a PG.

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Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

Environmental Geosciences Major (B.S.)

Major in Environmental Geoscience (B.S.)

How can this major lead to a career in the Environmental sector?

Jobs in the Environmental Sector

We prepare you for the first exam

Ready to take the next step?

Visit IU Admissions

The College of Arts & Sciences

Environmental Geosciences Major (B.S.)

Major in Environmental Geoscience (B.S.)

How can this major lead to a career in the Environmental sector?

Jobs in the Environmental Sector

We prepare you for the first exam

Ready to take the next step?

Visit IU Admissions

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The College of Arts & Sciences