Jun 07, 2026  
Working Undergraduate Catalog 2026-2027 
    
Working Undergraduate Catalog 2026-2027

Earth and Environmental Science (BS)


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The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Earth and Environmental Science (EAS) is a science-based program designed to prepare students for a range of challenging careers in the broad fields of environmental and geologic sciences, including science education.  The degree program also provides a solid foundation for those looking to pursue advanced degrees in education, environmental studies, public policy, or law. Students in this degree track are accorded the flexibility to work with their advisors in selecting Geology, Geography, and other electives that will best prepare the student to meet their educational goals and the employment criteria for their chosen profession.  This degree offers students the opportunity to explore a wide range of sub-disciplines within the Earth Sciences, including: geology, hydrology, soil science, climate change, natural resource development, and sustainability.  Additionally, students can choose to develop critical skills in field-based geologic techniques, remote sensing, and geographic information systems (GIS).

Please see the UNLV College of Sciences, Geoscience Department web page for information about department programs, faculty and facilities. Degree worksheets and 4/5 year plan for the major are available for UNLV Degrees Directory.

Advising


Please see advising information at the UNLV College of Sciences Advising Center.

Accreditation


For information regarding accreditation at UNLV, please head over to Academic Program Accreditations.

Transfer Policy


Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics transfer courses require a minimum grade of C to satisfy major requirements.

University Graduation Requirements


Please see Graduation Policies  for complete information.

Earth and Environmental Science (BS) Degree Requirements - Total Credits: 120


General Education Requirements - Credits: 32-42


First-Year Seminar - Credits: 2-3


English Composition - Credits: 6


 

Second-Year Seminar - Credits: 3


 

Constitutions - Credits: 3-6


Mathematics - Credits: 0


Automatically satisfied by major requirements.

Distribution Requirement: 18 Credits


Please see Distribution Requirements  for more information

Humanities and Fine Arts - Credits: 9

  • Two courses 3 credits each from two different humanities areas - 6 credits
  • One course in fine arts- 3 credits
Social Science - Credits: 9

  • One course each from three different fields.
Natural Science and Analytical Thinking - Credits: 0

  • Automatically satisfied by major requirements.

Multicultural and International: Credits 0-6


  • Multicultural, one 3 credit course required
  • International, one 3 credit course required

These courses may overlap with general education and major requirements. A single course may not meet the multicultural and international requirements simultaneously. Visit the Provost webpage for the list of approved Multicultural and International courses.

Major Requirements - BS in Earth and Environmental Science - Credits: 64-67


Earth and Environmental Science Core Requirements - Credits: 25-26


A minimum grade of C is required for courses applying to the Earth and Environmental Science Core Requirements.

Related Required Courses - Credits: 15-17


Geology or Geography Elective I Requirements - Credits: 24


  • Geology or Geography Upper Division Electives - Credits: 18
  • STEM Upper Division Electives -Credits: 6
    (see Note 2)

General Electives-Credits: 11-24


Total Credits: 120


Notes


  1. Students must complete 40 upper-division credits (satisfied by the degree requirements in the major)
  2. STEM includes courses from AST, BIOL, CEE, CEM, CHEM, CS, EE EGG, MATH, PHYS, or STAT
  3. GEOL 215  or GEOL 220   are Milestone Experience courses for the Earth and Environmental B.S.
  4. GEOG 430  is a Culminating Experience course for Earth and Environmental Science B.S.
  5. Geology and Earth and Environmental Science majors are not permitted to declare a minor within the Geoscience department

 

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