Mar 28, 2024  
2015-2016 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2015-2016 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Geology Major, BA


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Department Programs List

The BA degree is designed for students preparing to incorporate geosciences into broader careers such as teaching, educational outreach, resource management, environmental planning, business, or law. The BA degree may be an appropriate prerequisite for some graduate programs, but a BS is recommended for students who anticipate pursuing a graduate degree or career in the geological sciences.

The BA in Geology pairs well with minors or double majors in communication, computer science, energy studies, environmental studies, museum studies (anthropology), science education K-8, and any other study that requires fundamental scientific skills with an emphasis on communication.

This major satisfies the criteria for an endorsement in Earth science teaching at the high school, middle, or junior high levels. Students who seek a teaching endorsement are required to complete the Professional Education Program (PEP) requirements offered through the Department of Educational Foundations and Curriculum. Students completing this program are required to demonstrate proficiency of student learning outcomes through a program portfolio prior to student teaching. In addition to the above requirements, students must pass the WEST-E exam for Earth science to receive an Earth science endorsement and must take SCED 301, SCED 324. SCED 325, and SCED 487 to meet Science Teaching Program competencies (these courses substitute for EFC 350 and EFC 416 in the PEP).

(NOTE: Students seeking a BA degree must complete one year college/university study or two years high school study of a single world language.)

Total Required Credits: 52-55


Department-approved Electives Credits: 8-10


 Students must take two additional department-approved electives.

BA Required and Elective Courses Total Credits: 62-70


Allied Science Requirements for Bachelor of Arts Degree


Bachelor of Arts Total Credits: 77-85


Geological Sciences Department Information


College of the Sciences
Ellensburg
Lind Hall, room 108B
Mail Stop 7418
509-963-2701
Fax: 509-963-2821
www.geology.cwu.edu
    See website for how these programs could be used for educational and career purposes.

Faculty and Staff
Chair

Carey Gazis, PhD

Professors
Wendy A. Bohrson, PhD, volcanology, isotope geochemistry, igneous petrology
Lisa L. Ely, PhD, geomorphology, paleohydrology, and quaternary geology
Carey Gazis, PhD, environmental geochemistry, stable isotope geochemistry, and hydrogeology
Jeffrey Lee, PhD, active and regional tectonics, structural geology
Timothy I. Melbourne, PhD, seismology, continental dynamics

Associate Professors
Audrey Huerta, PhD, geodynamics, climate, and mountain building
Susan Kaspari, PhD, climate and environmental variability and glaciochemistry
Chris Mattinson, PhD, mineralogy and petrology

Assistant Professors
Anne Egger, PhD, Earth science education and structural geology
Breanyn MacInnes, PhD, sedimentary geology, coastal geomorphology
Walter Szeliga, PhD, geophysics and GPS geodesy

Faculty Research Associates
Beth Pratt-Sitaula, PhD, earth science education and geomorphology
Paul Winberry, PhD, glacier dynamics, seismology

Lecturers
Keegan Fengler, MS, earthquakes
Winston Norrish, PhD, petroleum geology

Emeritus Professors
Robert D. Bentley, PhD, structural geology, igneous and metamorphic petrology, regional geology of the Pacific Northwest
James Hinthorne, PhD, mineralogy, geochemistry, spatial information systems

Staff
Rex Flake, tiltmeter engineer, PANGA network engineer and geologist
Moriah Kauer, secretary
V. Marcelo Santillan, scientific programmer and GPS data analyst
Craig Scrivner, systems analyst
Linda Shepard, fiscal specialist
Nick Zentner, geology outreach and education director

Department Information
Geosciences encompass the scientific study of the origin and evolution of the earth. Energy, mineral and water resources, geologic hazards, pollution of natural waters, and earthquake prediction are just a few of the pressing societal concerns that are addressed by geoscientists. The geological sciences program has two major parts: (1) solid-earth geosciences, such as rocks, minerals, deformation, and tectonic evolution of the Earth’s crust; and (2) Earth processes over the last 10,000 years, such as active faulting, environmental geochemistry, hydrogeology and water resources, geologic hazards, seismology, surface processes, and volcanology. Field, laboratory, and computer skills are essential to the study of the geological sciences. Research in the geosciences is active and varied, with faculty and students interacting closely. BS and BA degrees are offered in geology and a BS degree in environmental geological sciences. A BA in Earth sciences is also offered, and is intended for future secondary school teachers. Minors in geology and Earth sciences are also available to supplement careers in other fields.

Students who declare a major in geology must register with the department and work out a specific program of study with the chairperson or an assigned advisor. Course programs can be tailored to the student’s needs and interests with the aid of an academic advisor. Other course requirements may be modified in cases where past performance indicates superior ability. Students must be evaluated for math placement upon declaration of the major with the goal of establishing proficiency at the MATH 154 level early in the major program.

College of the Sciences Information


Administration and Organization

Dean
Tim Englund, PhD (Dean Hall, room 130)

Associate Dean
Mike Harrod (Dean Hall, room 130)

Associate Dean
Martha Kurtz, PhD (Dean Hall, room 130)

Staff
Brad Weekly, development officer
Velma Henry, administrative assistant
Cindy Klein, fiscal specialist
Janis Orthmann, administrative assistant
Colleen Falconer, program coordinator
Dannica Price, event coordinator

Mail Stop 7519
509-963-1866
Fax: 509-963-1977
www.cwu.edu/sciences

The College of the Sciences (COTS) is comprised of 13 departments and 12 interdisciplinary programs representing disciplines in the behavioral, natural, and social sciences, and mathematics. The departments and programs of the college offer undergraduate baccalaureate degrees, master’s degrees, minors that supplement other degree programs, and a comprehensive range of service coursework. As an essential part of its mission, the college offers an extensive general education curriculum. The departments play a major role in Central’s Teacher Certification Programs, offering bachelors and master’s degrees for students preparing to be secondary teachers and providing coursework in educational foundations and discipline-specific content and methods.

Departments within the college are committed to teaching excellence, active engagement by faculty in research, scholarship and professional service activities, student involvement in research, community service, and employing practical applications of academic specializations.
 

Departments
All departments offer baccalaureate degree programs and, in some cases, minors, educational specialist degrees and master’s degrees. In addition to consulting department/program headings in this catalog, students are encouraged to contact individual departments and program offices directly.

Anthropology and Museum Studies: Kathleen Barlow, PhD, Dean Hall, room 356, 509-963-3201
Biological Sciences: James Johnson, PhD, Science Building, room 338, 509-963-2731
Chemistry: Levente Fabry-Asztalos, PhD, Science Building, room 302, 509-963-2811
Computer Science: Aaron Montgomery, PhD, Hebeler Hall, room 219, 509-963-1495
Geography: John Bowen, PhD, Dean Hall, room 301, 509-963-1188
Geological Sciences: Carey Gazis, PhD, Lind Hall, room 108B, 509-963-2701
Law and Justice: James Huckabay, PhD, Farrell Hall, room 300, 509-963-3208
Mathematics: Stuart Boersma, PhD, Bouillon Hall, room 108, 509-963-2103
Physics: Bruce Palmquist, PhD, Lind Hall, room 201A, 509-963-2727
Political Science: Todd Schaefer, PhD, Psychology Building, room 415, 509-963-2408
Psychology: Stephanie Stein, PhD, Psychology Building, room 421, 509-963-2381
Science Education: Bruce Palmquist, PhD, Science Building, room 107, 509-963-2929
Sociology: Delores Cleary, PhD, Farrell Hall, room 409, 509-963-1305

Interdisciplinary Programs
These programs offer specialized coursework, interdisciplinary baccalaureate majors or minors, master’s degrees or research, and public service functions.

American Indian Studies: Toni Culjak, PhD, Language and Literature, room 408D, 509-963-1531
Center for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Education: Martha Kurtz, PhD, Dean Hall, room 130, 509-963-2135
Environmental Studies: Carey Gazis, PhD, Lind Hall, room 108B, 509-963-2701
or Pam McMullin-Messier, PhD, Farrell Hall, room 441, 509-963-2222
Ethnic Studies: Nelson Pichardo, PhD, Farrell Hall, room 440, 509-963-1348
Interdisciplinary Studies - Social Sciences: Steve Schepman, PhD, Psychology Building, room 429, 509-963-2389
Museum of Culture and Environment: Mark Auslander, PhD, Dean Hall, room 334, 509-963-3209
Primate Behavior and Ecology Program: Lori Sheeran, PhD, Dean Hall, room 335, 509-963-1434
Resource Management Program: Karl Lillquist, PhD, Dean Hall, room 319, 509-963-1184
or Steve Hackenberger, PhD, Dean Hall, room 349, 509-963-3224
Science Talent Expansion Program (STEP): Lucinda Carnell, PhD, Science, room 338G, 509-963-2821
Women’s and Gender Studies: Judith Hennessey, PhD, Farrell Hall, room 436, 509-963-1574

Affiliated Centers and Institutes
Center for Spatial Information and Research: Anthony Gabriel, PhD, Dean Hall, room 320, 509-963-1166
Center for the Environment: Anne Johnasen, PhD, Science, room 207D, 509-963-2164
Central Washington Archaeological Survey, Anthropology: Patrick McCutcheon, PhD, Dean Hall, room 340, 509-963-2075
or Steve Hackenberger, PhD, Dean Hall, room 349, 509-963-3224
Community Counseling and Psychological Assessment Center: Heath Marrs, PhD, Psychology Building, room 346, 509-963-2349
or Elizabeth Haviland, PhD, Psychology Building, room 118, 509-963-2371
Geodesy Laboratory and Pacific Northwest Geodetic Array (PANGA) Data Analysis Facility: Tim Melbourne, PhD, Hebeler Hall, room 110A, 509-963-2799
Health Career Resources: Keith Monosky, PhD, Dorothy Purser Hall, room 108, 509-963-1145

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Department Programs List