Accelerated Bachelor of Science Earth and Environmental Systems, Environmental Systems Concentration
B.S. to M.S. GIS Professional Concentration Degree
This accelerated program gives outstanding bachelor’s degree students in the Geosciences a “fast-track” option to pursue their Master of Science Geographic Information- Professional Concentration degree. Students accepted into an accelerated undergraduate program may take departmentally approved graduate coursework as part of their undergraduate curriculum. These credits will count towards both their bachelor's and master's degrees and can fulfill major requirements, upper-division requirements, and/or free electives. For details on accelerated programs at Idaho State University, please see (Degree Requirements).
Students accepted into the accelerated program may take up to 12 credit hours of 5000-level courses during the last two semesters of their bachelor’s program that will apply to both the bachelor’s and master’s degree requirements. Students have to meet all requirements for both the bachelor’s degree and master’s degree. Once accepted into an accelerated degree program, it is strongly recommended for students to stay in close communication with their advisor regarding pursuit of acceptance into the Graduate School and the master's degree program at Idaho State University. Acceptance into an accelerated program during the bachelor's degree program is the first step in the admissions process. A separate application to the Graduate School is necessary for all accelerated programs. For more information regarding application and admission to the Graduate School at Idaho State University, please see the Graduate Admissions section of the graduate catalog (http://coursecat.isu.edu/graduate/graduateadmissions/).
Additional requirements for students in this program are:
Students must earn at least a “B” (3.0) in each graduate-level course counted for the program.
Eligibility for this program:
1. Completion of at least 64 undergraduate credits applicable to the Bachelor of Science in Earth and Environmental Systems, Environmental Systems Concentration at the time of application.
2. Overall GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale at the time of application.
Application Process to take undergraduate and graduate courses in a student’s senior year: Students who wish to enroll in this program should apply no later than the end of the second semester of the year prior to their intended undergraduate degree conferral.
Applications should be sent to geology@isu.edu with the following:
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A letter of intent to express how this accelerated program will enhance your academic and professional pathways to success
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2 letters of recommendation
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Include “Accelerated BS to MSGIS” in the subject line of the email
Graduate School Application Process: Students will apply to the graduate school to become a MSGIS student during the year prior to their intended undergraduate degree conferral.
* Meeting these eligibility requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the accelerated master’s degree.
B.S. Earth and Environmental Systems, Environmental Systems Concentration
Program Admissions Requirements
There are no program admission requirements for the B.S. Earth and Environmental Systems, Environmental Systems Concentration.
General Education
The listing below includes program requirements that also fulfill General Education requirements.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Objective 1 | 6 | |
| Objective 2 | 3 | |
| Objective 3 - MATH 1170 | 4 | |
| Objective 4 | 6 | |
| Objective 5 - BIOL 1101, BIOL 1101L, and CHEM 1111 | 8 | |
| Objective 6 | 6 | |
| Students must fulfill Objective 7 or Objective 8 | 3 | |
Objective 7 | ||
Objective 8 | ||
| Objective 9 | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 39 | |
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| The required Core Courses provide a solid background in Geosciences and other subjects. Environmental Systems include physical, biological and human systems; thus, the program incorporates course work in Biological Sciences, Physical and Social Sciences, and Mathematics. Some of these courses may satisfy General Education requirements. | ||
| GEOL 2204 & 2204L | Fluid Earth and Fluid Earth Lab | 4 |
| GEOL 2205 & 2205L | Solid Earth and Solid Earth Lab | 4 |
| GEOL 3392 | Geosciences Careers Seminar | 1 |
| GEOL 3313 | Earth Materials I | 4 |
| GEOL 3315 | Evolution of the Earth's Surface | 4 |
| GEOL 4403 | Principles of Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| BIOL 1101 & 1101L | Biology I and Biology I Lab (Partially satisfies General Education Objective 5) | 4 |
| BIOL 1102 & 1102L | Biology II and Biology II Lab | 4 |
| BIOL 2209 & 2209L | General Ecology and General Ecology Laboratory | 4 |
| CHEM 1111 & 1111L | General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Lab (Partially satisfies General Education Objective) | 5 |
| Environmental Systems Concentration | ||
| This concentration combines courses in Ecology, Environmental Geosciences, and supporting fields. This emphasis track will train students interested in field-related careers who need to understand the environmental relations between geologic and living systems. | ||
| CHEM 1112 & 1112L | General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Lab | 4 |
| MATH 1170 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH 3350 | Statistical Methods | 3 |
| GEOL 4451 | Field Methods in Environmental Sciences | 3 |
| Select two courses from the following: | 7-8 | |
| Geomorphology | ||
| Introduction to Soils and Critical Zone Processes | ||
| Watershed Hydrology | ||
| Principles of Hydrogeology | ||
| Sedimentation-Stratigraphy | ||
Or other approved courses in related fields | ||
| Select one course from the following: | 4 | |
| Freshwater Ecology and Freshwater Ecology Lab | ||
| Field Ecology | ||
| Ecosystem Ecology and Global Changes | ||
| Select one elective from the following: | 2-3 | |
| Geologic Field Methods | ||
| Science in American Society | ||
| Global Environmental History | ||
| U.S. Environmental History | ||
| Environmental Politics and Policy | ||
| Environmental Ethics | ||
| Environmental Sociology | ||
| Or other approved courses in related fields | ||
| In the last 2 semesters of their Bachelor’s Degree, students may take up to 12 credits of coursework listed in the core and elective sections of the MSGIS program. | ||
| Total Credits | 64-66 | |
Students who are considering graduate studies in a Geosciences field should consider also taking BIOL 3316 Biometry Laboratory, PHYS 1111 General Physics I with PHYS 1113 General Physics I Laboratory or PHYS 1111 General Physics I with PHYS 2213 Engineering Physics I Laboratory.
ENGL 3307 Professional and Technical Writing is recommended for all students.
Degree Totals
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Program Admission Requirements | 0 | |
| General Education | 39 | |
| Major Requirements (Required General Education credits removed) | 52-54 | |
| Upper Division Free Electives | 17 | |
| Free Electives | 10-12 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |