Environmental Geology
Western Michigan University's Environmental Geology program couples a traditional geology background with coursework that emphasizes the more practical, environmental problems that fall within the earth sciences. Students will have the opportunity to select upper-level courses from within two or more areas including: basics of geology, methods and applications, climate and climate change, and hydrogeology.
As an environmental geology student at WMU, you will be required to complete six credits of hands-on field course modules that range between traditional geological field methods, hydrogeology field methods and UAV (unmanned aerial vehicles) methods.
You can also gain valuable networking and professional development opportunities through student and community organizations, including joining our highly active student organizations: Geology Club, Student Chapter of American Institute for Professional Geologists, Student Chapter of American Associate of Petroleum Geologists and the Student Chapter of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists.
The environmental geology major is new to WMU beginning in Fall 2021. We expect graduates of this program to find jobs in the following areas:
- Hydrogeologists
- Environmental scientists
- Environmental protection technicians
- Near-surface geophysicists
- Urban and regional planners
- Environmental hazard assessment planners
Among the organizations they might work for are:
- Universities
- U.S., state and local government environmental protection agencies
- State or local urban planning organizations
- Environmental consulting companies
- Geological resource extraction companies
- Kalamazoo