Online Geosciences Degree Bachelor of Science
Program Overview Why get an online geosciences degree?
Southern New Hampshire University's Bachelor of Science (BS) in Geosciences degree program offers a strong foundation in the physical sciences with a focus on geography, geology, earth systems science, physics, chemistry and spatial awareness. Once enrolled, you'll learn analytical, technical and communication strategies that can help you tackle complex environmental issues from instructors with real-world experience.
Skills you'll learn:
- Research methods to solve geoscience problems
- Tools, technologies and scientific principle applications
- Data analysis techniques to study Earth's systems/resources
- Evidence-based and ethically responsible practices
- Communication of technical information to diverse audiences
Courses & Curriculum Online geosciences degree classes that expand your knowledge
Emphasizing geoscience data and practical problem-solving, this program's curriculum provides essential skills for safeguarding public health, managing resources and protecting the environment. You'll work with hands-on lab kits and may participate in volunteer, internship and experiential learning opportunities that can further enhance your marketability to employers. Plus, you'll have the opportunity to tailor your degree through 21 free elective credits or the addition of a concentration.
Online geosciences degree concentrations
If you'd like to specialize your knowledge beyond this program's general track, you can choose 1 of 2 concentrations.
Help solve real challenges that affect our planet through data analysis with a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Geosciences with a concentration in Data Analytics in Science.
As a geoscientist, your work will tackle some of the environment’s most pressing challenges from multiple perspectives. By building upon your skills with expertise in statistics, data collection and database environments, you can take your work a step further — using numbers to understand and analyze earth systems in geographic areas across the globe.
Career outlook:
Big data is transforming organizations across industries. These large volumes of data can be analyzed to identify and solve problems, provide insights, and lead to better decision-making and practical solutions for global climate problems.
For example, data can help inform effective disaster management efforts and determine appropriate land usage. It can also be used to enhance the prediction of extreme weather events or evaluate renewable energy resources.
Courses in this concentration are designed to develop skills that can help set you apart from other professionals in the field. You’ll learn how to use statistical models to make predictions, diagnose and solve critical challenges, as well as create structured database environments that can be used to host and make sense of complex information.
Courses may include:
- Applied Statistics II for Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
- Gathering Requirements and Collecting Data
- Introduction to Structured Database Environments
Those interested in a more business-focused approach to data application may want to check out our full BS in Data Analytics degree online program.
Learn how to mitigate, manage and remediate hazards related to our planet's natural resources with a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Geosciences with a concentration in Natural Resources and Conservation.
"The natural resources and conservation concentration focuses on ways in which humans and human activities are threatening earth’s natural processes and impacting our environment," said Dr. Kelly Thrippleton-Hunter, adjunct faculty for science at SNHU. "It also highlights ways in which sustainable practices can be utilized to help reduce environmental impact and preserve our natural resources."
The coursework covers global climate change, alternative energy, sustainability and more of today's most important environmental challenges. You'll gain the skills and experience needed to meet intensifying demand for geoscience professionals specialized in energy, environmental protection, and land and resource management.
"I wanted to study this program to gain knowledge in waste production, remediation, climate change, the use of fossil fuels, changes we can make to stop climate change and the use of renewable energy," said Mike Pinto '21.
Career outlook:
As a graduate of the program, you'll be prepared to pursue or advance your career in a variety of roles, including:
- Environmental specialist
- Environmental inspector
- Field examiner
- Environmental compliance manager
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment for environmental scientists and specialists will grow 6% by 2032.1
Courses may include:
- Energy and Society
- Environmental Issues
- Global Climate Change
- Waste: Sources, Reduction & Remediation
Online geosciences degree courses
In this program, you'll conduct experiments using custom kits mailed directly to your home and study the physical and chemical aspects of our planet. Plus, you'll use data and technology, like GIS and remote sensing techniques, to examine and solve current problems in the geosciences.
Courses may include:
Visit the course catalog to view the full BS in Geosciences curriculum.
The Commons: SNHU's gen ed program
All undergraduate students are required to take general education courses, which are part of SNHU's newly redesigned program, The Commons. The goal of The Commons' curriculum is to empower you with some of the most in-demand skills, so you can succeed not only in your academic career, but in your personal and professional life too.
Courses may include:
PC (Windows OS) Technical Requirements
Component Type | PC (Windows OS) |
---|---|
Operating System | Currently supported operating system from Microsoft. |
Memory (RAM) | 8GB or higher |
Hard Drive | 100GB or higher |
Antivirus Software | Required for campus students. Strongly recommended for online students. |
SNHU Purchase Programs | Visit Dell |
Internet/ Bandwidth | 5 Mbps Download, 1 Mbps Upload and less than 100ms Latency |
Apple (Mac OS) Technical Requirements
Component Type | Apple (Mac OS) |
---|---|
Operating System | Currently supported operating system from Apple. |
Memory (RAM) | 8GB or higher |
Hard Drive | 100GB or higher |
Antivirus Software | Required for campus students. Strongly recommended for online students. |
SNHU Purchase Programs | Visit Apple |
Internet/ Bandwidth | 5 Mbps Download, 1 Mbps Upload and less than 100ms Latency |
Additional Information:
- Laptop or desktop? Whichever you choose depends on your personal preference and work style, though laptops tend to offer more flexibility.
- Note: Chromebooks (Chrome OS) and iPads (iOS) do not meet the minimum requirements for coursework at SNHU. These offer limited functionality and do not work with some course technologies. They are not acceptable as the only device you use for coursework. While these devices are convenient and may be used for some course functions, they cannot be your primary device. SNHU does, however, have an affordable laptop option that it recommends: Dell Latitude 3301 with Windows 10.
- Office 365 Pro Plus is available free of charge to all SNHU students and faculty. The Office suite will remain free while you are a student at SNHU. Upon graduation you may convert to a paid subscription if you wish. Terms subject to change at Microsoft's discretion. Review system requirements for Microsoft 365 plans for business, education and government.
- Antivirus software: Check with your ISP as they may offer antivirus software free of charge to subscribers.
Licensure and Certification Disclosures
SNHU has provided additional information for programs that educationally prepare students for professional licensure or certification. Learn more about what that means for your program on our licensure and certification disclosure page.
Bring your education to life
This program offers experiential learning, which is essential to gaining the skills and professional experience needed to become a sought-after candidate in the workforce. Using your free electives, you'll have the opportunity to take several experiential learning courses with topics including grant writing in science, animal behavior and more.
Apply for free in minutes
Our no-commitment application can help you decide if SNHU is the right college for you and your career goals. Apply up until 2 days before the term starts!
Upcoming term starts: January 06, 2025 | March 03, 2025
Next term starts:
Oct. 28, 2024
Online Student Experience What’s it like going to SNHU?
Attending college online at SNHU can be a life-changing experience. In fact, 93.2% of online students would recommend SNHU according to a 2023 survey with 21,000+ respondents.
What to expect:
8-week terms
Learn around your schedule
24/7 online support
What does an online course look like?
You’ll take your courses within SNHU’s Brightspace platform. This is where you’ll find your:
- Schedule of weekly assignments
- Discussion boards
- Grades
- Instructor announcements
What support services are available?
- Chat with your advisors
Get hands-on help from dedicated academic and career advisors. - Drop in for tutoring
Work with a tutor, any time of the day or night – no appointment necessary. - Learn from industry professionals
Instructors lead discussions and offer guidance – and they’re just an email away. - Use the online library
Access 600,000+ resources or chat with a librarian 24/7. - Reach out for accessibility help
Receive accommodations as an eligible student with disabilities. - Focus on your well-being
Connect with professionals to improve your health and wellness.
Learn from instructors with industry experience
Our faculty carry with them decades of experience in STEM. By bringing real-world insights to the classroom, they can help position graduates for success in this ever-evolving field.
Dr. Jonathan Davis
Dr. Jonathan Davis has been a GIS analyst for more than 7 years. Throughout his career, Davis has worked at the U.S. Department of State’s Office of the Historian and the Peace Corps. He's also acted as a digital storyteller at MapStory, creating interactive maps that visualize history in a spatiotemporal context. Davis' digital stories have been featured in "The Washington Post," "Business Insider" and more.
Position
Adjunct Faculty, Geosciences
Joined SNHU
2024
Education
- PhD in Geography and MA in Geographic Information Science and Cartography from Arizona State University
- MA and BS in History from Liberty University
"As a geoscience major, you have many opportunities and career paths to make both significant intellectual contributions in understanding how our world works and really make a difference for our future."
Why SNHU?
At Southern New Hampshire University, you'll have access to a powerful network of more than 400,000 students, alumni and staff that can help support you long after graduation. Our instructors offer relevant, real-world expertise to help you understand and navigate the field. Plus, with our growing, nationwide alumni network, you'll have the potential to tap into a number of internship and career opportunities.
Recently, SNHU has been nationally recognized for leading the way toward more innovative, affordable and achievable education:
- U.S. News & World Report
Named SNHU the 2024 Most Innovative University in the North - The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA)
Awarded SNHU the 21st Century Distance Learning Award for Excellence in Online Technology - Google.org
Gave SNHU a $1 million grant to explore soft skills assessments for high-need youth
Founded in 1932, Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution with over 180,000 graduates across the country. SNHU is accredited by the regional accreditor New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), which advocates for institutional improvement and public assurance of quality.
Admission Applying to SNHU is fast and free
No application fee. No test scores. And no college essay. Just a simple form with basic information. It’s another way SNHU helps you reach your goals sooner.
All it takes is 3 simple steps
It's easy, fast and free.
Whether you're applying for an undergraduate or graduate degree, you’ll fill out a form to verify your previous education experience. As part of our admissions process, we'll help you request transcripts from your previous school(s) to see if you can transfer any credits into your SNHU program! (Also for free!)
After reviewing your official evaluation, you can decide if SNHU is right for you! If you choose to enroll, just pick your start date and get ready for classes to begin.
Talk to an admission counselor: 888.327.SNHU | enroll@snhu.edu
Accreditations
SNHU is accredited by the regional accreditor the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). The university also carries specialized accreditations for some programs.
Tuition Cost & Savings College can be more affordable than you think
As a nonprofit university, SNHU offers some of the lowest online tuition rates in the country. And when you work with our Financial Services team, we'll explore ways to help you save even more on your education – and customize a payment plan that works for you.
Online undergraduate tuition
*before previously earned credits are applied
Tuition rates are subject to change and are reviewed annually.
**Note: Students receiving this rate are not eligible for additional discounts.
Additional costs: Course materials vary by course.
Transfer credits and lower your cost by:
$9,900 $14,850 $19,800 $24,750 $29,700If 30 of your prior learning credits ($330/credit) are accepted toward your bachelor’s degree.
Your remaining tuition cost: $29,700
If 45 of your prior learning credits ($330/credit) are accepted toward your bachelor’s degree.
Your remaining tuition cost: $24,750
If 60 of your prior learning credits ($330/credit) are accepted toward your bachelor’s degree.
Your remaining tuition cost: $19,800
If 75 of your prior learning credits ($330/credit) are accepted toward your bachelor’s degree.
Your remaining tuition cost: $14,850
If 90 of your prior learning credits ($330/credit) are accepted toward your bachelor’s degree.
Your remaining tuition cost: $9,900
How we estimate your tuition cost:
We look at the cost per credit multiplied by the number of credits you need to earn for a bachelor's degree. Most bachelor's degrees require 120 credits. SNHU allows you to transfer in up to 90 credits, requiring a minimum of 30 credits to be taken at SNHU. This is only a tuition estimator, and doesn't account for other fees that may be associated with your program of choice.
Ways to save on online tuition
Career Outlook What can I do with an online geosciences degree?
From identifying petroleum extraction sites to predicting earthquakes, geoscientists perform valued (and often critical) functions for our society. The demand for skilled geoscience professionals will likely intensify over the next few decades due to our rapidly growing population and the need for creative solutions for energy, land and resource management, and environmental protection.
Occupations
Some of the most in-demand roles within this field include:
Study the history of Earth, including materials, processes and formation.
Examine the effects of the changing climate on ecosystems.
Use geographic information systems (GIS) to create, manage, analyze and map data.
Help improve lives by designing solutions to environmental problems.
Increase in roles for geoscientists through 2032, projected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).1
Median annual pay for geoscientists as of May 2023, according to the BLS.1
Understanding the numbers
When reviewing job growth and salary information, it’s important to remember that actual numbers can vary due to many different factors—like years of experience in the role, industry of employment, geographic location, worker skill and economic conditions. Cited projections do not guarantee actual salary or job growth.
What SNHU students are saying
I absolutely recommend this program to anyone who is interested in studying weather, climate, causes and effects of climate change, and the use of renewable energy.
Mike Pinto '21
Frequently Asked Questions
While geosciences and geology have some overlapping components, they're not entirely the same.
Geoscience is an interdisciplinary field that covers a broad spectrum of disciplines, including earth science, atmospheric science, geology, geography, physics and chemistry. It allows you to study the dynamic nature of the earth, understand its history to predict current and future changes, and find ways to manage our natural resources in a sustainable way.
On the other hand, geology is a subdiscipline of earth science that specifically focuses on the history of the earth, the rocks and minerals that compose it, and the processes that act upon it.
Yes, students can earn a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Geosciences online because the program's coursework easily translates to a virtual classroom.
"I was excited to study online since going to school in person didn’t fit my schedule," said Mike Pinto '21.
You'll take science classes like chemistry, physics and geology and get the hands-on experience you need through lab kits mailed to your home. You'll finish up your bachelor's degree with geoscientific research methods and capstone courses, giving you the opportunity to develop a research project in a chosen area of specialization.
For Wyatt Martensen '21, the online platform was crucial. He began his studies at SNHU when he was deployed to Afghanistan.
"As time went on throughout my deployment, I managed to find time," he said. "I had a little extra time at the end of each day to study and to take the classes that I was enrolled in, and even when I was flying back and coming back into the states, all my professors helped me along the way. There were no complications."
Note: Due to shipping laws, lab courses requiring lab kits must be completed within the contiguous United States. New students living outside the lower 48 states may be eligible to transfer in lab credits from accredited institutions. If a currently enrolled student moves outside of the contiguous U.S., they may petition to take the labs at another institution for credit.
Geosciences is an excellent major choice if you're interested in working in a growing STEM field. If you have a passion for our planet, earning a geosciences degree is one way to study its past and protect its future.
"I absolutely recommend this program to anyone who is interested in studying weather, climate, causes and effects of climate change and the use of renewable energy," said Mike Pinto '21.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment for geoscientists will grow 5% by 2032.1
Geoscientists can help mitigate risks related to natural disasters like earthquakes, floods or landslides. They can also provide scientific counsel and advice on ways to preserve the environment or sustainably manage natural resources. Additionally, they can work with geospatial technology to prepare maps, analyze geographic data and study issues like climate change, disaster relief and resource management.
With such a diverse field of study, career opportunities abound for geoscientists. Geoscientists can work in all sectors, including nonprofit, government, industry, academia and research. Jobs can include a combination of field, laboratory and office work – or all of one and none of the others.
"The field of geoscience can open doors to many career paths," said Tyra Davey, associate dean of science at Southern New Hampshire University.
Geoscientists can pursue careers in a multitude of areas and disciplines, including:
- Advising policymakers on decisions relating to protecting the earth
- Communicating the importance of geoscience to the public through scientific writing, education and public outreach
- Environmental assessment and remediation
- Forecasting weather or global climate patterns
- Observing and forecasting natural hazards
- Modeling Earth’s systems
- Sustainably manage energy and natural resources
Davey also offered suggestions for careers that you could be positioned for with a geosciences degree:
- Cartographer
- Climate researcher
- Earth scientist
- Environmental consultant
- Environmental data analyst
- Environmental specialist
- Geoscientist
- GIS technician/analyst
- Natural resources or sustainability manager
- Park ranger
- Remote sensing specialist
- Spatial statistician
- Waste management specialist
Some of these roles may require additional education or training beyond a bachelor's degree.
Earning a bachelor's degree is essential to becoming a geoscientist. Some in the field go on to earn their master's degree, as well.
Employers require a specific skill set learned through coursework and hands-on training at universities. Desirable qualities for geoscientist, according to BLS, include:1
- Communication skills for reports and research papers
- Critical-thinking skills to evaluate data
- Outdoor skills to conduct fieldwork
- Physical stamina for hiking and carrying equipment
- Problem-solving skills to handle complex challenges
"It would be very hard to have the position that I hold now without the degree I have from Southern New Hampshire University," said Wyatt Martensen '21.
The skills you build when you earn a geosciences degree are appealing in a wide range of industries. Because of that, geoscientists are employable all across the workforce.
The American Geosciences Institute lists dozens of professions in which geoscientists are employed:2
- Business, like defense contractors and environmental managers
- Education, like outreach specialists and professors
- Engineering, like geological and petroleum engineers
- Law, like environment and land use lawyers
- Medicine, like epidemiologists and toxicologists
- Policy, like congressional staffers and science advisors
- Science, like mineralogists and soil scientists
- Writing, like science communicators and journalists
Some of these roles may require additional education or training beyond a bachelor's degree.
Sources & Citations
1Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the internet, at:
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/environmental-scientists-and-specialists.htm (viewed April 19, 2024)
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/geoscientists.htm (viewed April 19, 2024)
Cited projections may not reflect local or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.
2American Geosciences Institute, Workforce Infographic, on the internet, at: https://www.americangeosciences.org/workforce/workforce-infographic (viewed April 19, 2024)