UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS In SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainability Studies BA Earth & Environmental Science BS
New degree programs in Sustainability are here!
The Earth and Environmental Science BS degree covers core geological principles with applications in sustainability.
The Sustainability Studies BA degree covers core geographical principles with applications in sustainability.
Email Tara Robbins for details ( tara.robbins@mail.wvu.edu).
Old Degree Programs
Geology Geography Environmental Geoscience
*Geology, Geography, and Environmental Geoscience programs are not admitting any new majors. The links above for these majors are for current students only. Read the FAQs
Department News
Academic Transformation FAQs
The Department of Geology and Geography started two new degrees as part of the first round of Academic Transformation in 2021. The two new degrees are a BA in Sustainability Studies and a BS in Earth and Environmental Science.
Current students in the Geology, Geography, and Environmental Geoscience programs can stay in their current major or they can choose to move into one of these new degrees. For more information, read our Frequently Asked Questions.
Help Support our Geology Field Camp
We need your help to lessen the financial burden of attending field camp for five geology students. Field camp provides an incredible opportunity for our students and creates meaningful hands-on experiences that will last a lifetime.
Dan and Pat Billman have launched a challenge to support Geology field camp: “As geologists we know, the best geologists see the most rocks. Future WVU geologists need our support now. Please join us in championing WVU Geology’s field camp and courses.” - Dan Billman (1989 MS Geology) and Pam Billman (1988 MS Geology)
Department Research Spotlight
Mapping West Virginia
New research from
West Virginia University is transforming understanding of the Mountain
State’s famous landscape – and identifying ways to preserve it.
As WVU’s latest NSF CAREER Award winner, Assistant Professor of Geography
Aaron Maxwell will use big data to map what the surface of West Virginia
looked like over the last 60 years. The funding includes $636,785 over five years.
Mapping a Legacy: New Geography Endowment
After a 35-year career in the Department of Geology and Geography, Professor Emeritus Gregory Elmes aspires to give back to the university that has given him so much.
He and wife Jeanne (MM Music Performance, 1999) have established a planned gift, the Dr. Gregory and Mrs. Jeanne Elmes Geography Endowment, to support undergraduate geography students in their research endeavors.
WVU Geology Faculty Develops Virtual Lab
When the coronavirus began to spread around the world in early 2020,
West Virginia University Department of Geology and Geography's Graham Andrews
knew he needed to act fast. He already had 3D photography software and a drone
on hand for a volcanology research project. But with some quick thinking and the
help of five students, an idea was born -- a virtual geology lab.
Student Spotlight
Hutchison and Wells: The Listening Project
West Virginia University geography students, in collaboration with community leaders, are responding.
The Listening Project is a partnership between WVU’s Center for Resilient Communities
and West Virginia organizers, Amy Jo Hutchison and Jennifer Wells, that gathers
stories of strength and struggle as West Virginians seek to find solidarity in
uncertain times.
Dina Hornbaker : The Culture of Cooperation
Dina Hornbaker a farm manager for New Roots Community Farm in Fayetteville,
West Virginia talks about the life changing impact of geography. "I majored in
multidisciplinary studies in geography, Spanish and communication studies. I have
always enjoyed studying the relationships among areas, natural systems, cultural
activities and the interdependence of all of these throughout the Earth."
Valerie Slone: Turning a Corner on Food Insecurity
Turnrow Appalachian Farm Collective is a food hub that aggregates, sells and distributes locally grown and produced products across West Virginia. It is an initiative in WVU’s Center for Resilient Communities , which conducts community-based action research addressing Appalachia’s most pressing challenges.
As a graduate research assistant with Turnrow and online farms market manager for
Sprouting Farms, geography master’s student Valerie Slone is putting her research
into action.
Get involved
Student Organizations
We offer several student organizations to help you make the most of of your education.
Internships
Summer Undergraduate Research Experience
Selected students are awarded a $3,500 stipend for eight weeks of mentored research. An additional $2,000 is available for travel to a professional conference or for supplies.
