Office of International Education and Development

Geological and Environmental Science

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Planning
Planning your Program: 

The best time for a Geological and Environmental Science major to go abroad will be a combination of their concentration, credits they have transferred in, whether they have a dual major or a minor, whether they plan on taking any summer classes, and obviously their personal situation.  

For all concentrations short-term study abroad opportunities are normally fairly easy to fit into a student’s degree plan.  Students are able to start participating on short-term programs (winter break, spring break, and summer) as early as their first year.  Students participating on short-term faculty-led programs often fulfill General Education, Major Free Electives, Major Concentration courses, Language requirements, or 2nd Major/Minor requirements.  Students participating on partner summer programs may be able to fulfill major requirements in addition to the above options. Some students will also engage in research or complete an international internship.  Students looking to spend a semester abroad should work closely with their advisor to plan for the experience.  


Course Considerations: 

Geological and Environmental Science majors may not able to complete Capstone requirements abroad and it can generally be difficult to find a program that offers comparable sequence courses.  Other courses that students may want to plan to take before or after their abroad experience are______. Outside of these requirements students may be able to take other major courses abroad, but often electives are the easiest requirements to fulfill.

Students looking to participate in a semester or non departmental faculty-led program can also look to satisfy General Education requirements.  It is suggested that students save 1 or 2 LSE requirements for their study abroad program. It may be possible to satisfy an ILE, Science Inquiry, or Quantitative Literacy course but this requires more advanced planning.  BA Geology students can also participate in a summer or semester language program to satisfy their Intermediate language requirements or look to take Minor courses.  

Advising: 

Students should email their departmental advisor to schedule an advising appointment.

Key questions to ask?

  • What are my remaining degree requirements?
  • How many upper-division credits do I still need to complete for my degree?
  • How many elective credits (lower vs. upper division) do I have left to complete my major?
  • What remaining prerequisites must I fulfill, and how will study abroad impact my progress?
  • Which of my remaining degree requirements could I complete abroad?  Are there any that I cannot take abroad?
  • Can I receive academic credit for an internship abroad?
  • Are there any in-residence requirements I need to be aware of before I go abroad?
Programs

Geological and Environmental Science majors often participate on department faculty-led programs and summer partner programs.  Students are also able to participate on semester programs but should work closely with the department to understand what requirements may be taken abroad.  Listed below are some possible options.

Program Type Information

Faculty-led

All faculty-led programs for fall 2021 have been suspended due to the ongoing pandemic. Please check back beginning in summer 2021 for updates about faculty-led programs for Spring Break and Summer I & II 2022.

Below are examples of previous faculty-led programs.

 

Coral Reefs and Carbonate Geology (not offered in 2020)

  • Available Terms: Summer
  • Country: Bermuda
  • Unique Feature: This field-based course will study the modern coral reefs and carbonate geology of Bermuda. Modern coral reefs will be accessed from shore or by boat by snorkeling around reefs to study the biodiversity of reef-forming and carbonate-producing organisms. Sediment sample analysis by microscope will follow daily snorkeling outings, followed by a 1-2 hour evening lecture. The geologic history of Bermuda and its caves will be studied on land along outcrops and snorkeling in caves. 

Land of Fire and Ice

  • Available Terms: Summer
  • Country: Iceland
  • Unique Feature: This intensive, 16-day program will introduce participants to geologic hazards and environmental geology through the active, boots-on-the-ground, exploration of Iceland. We will begin with several meetings during the spring semester at Appalachian State, where we will be describing many of the geologic processes and features that you will come face to face with in Iceland. 

Italy Field Geology Program

  • Available Terms: Summer
  • Country: Italy
  • Unique Feature: This field geology course focuses on mapping and data collection to investigate the tectonic history of the Northern Apennines, Italy. Classical field geologic methods will be used to investigate several case studies of large scale tectonic processes. In addition to the field mapping, students will map alongside Italian students for a project in the middle of the field course, which will provide an opportunity to learn some Italian and to meet some Italian peers. There will be several days off from geology where students will have time to explore Italian art and culture and see some of the visually stunning cities and towns of the Northern Apennines.

Short-term

Students should use the advanced search feature to locate summer partner programs.  Several options are available for Language Study, as well as General Education and Elective opportunities. 

Semester

Africa

University of Johannesburg 

  • Program Type: Full Exchange 
  • Available Terms: Academic Year, Fall, Spring
  • Country: South Africa
  • Standing: 2nd semester Sophomore, Junior, Senior
  • Concentrations: Environmental Science, Geology

University of the Free State 

  • Program Type: Full Exchange 
  • Available Terms: Academic Year, Fall, Spring
  • Country: South Africa
  • Standing: 2nd semester Sophomore, Junior, Senior
  • Concentrations: Geology

Asia

 

Bishop Heber College

  • Program Type: Partial Exchange 
  • Available Terms: Fall, Spring
  • Country: India
  • Standing: 2nd Semester Sophomore, Junior, Senior
  • Concentrations: Environmental Science
  • Unique Feature: Course offerings have included Environmental Pollution, Energy Resources and Biostatistics, Fundamentals of Environmental Engineering, Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, and more.  

National Cheng Kung

  • Program Type: Partial Exchange 
  • Available Terms: Academic Year, Spring
  • Country: Taiwan
  • Standing: Sophomore, Junior, Senior
  • Language: Offers Chinese language coursework. 
  • Concentrations: Geology

Europe

University of Innsbruck

  • Program Type: Affiliate
  • Available Terms: Academic Year, Spring
  • Country: Austria
  • Standing: Sophomore, Junior, Senior
  • Concentrations: Environmental Science
  • Unique Feature: The majority of courses at Innsbruck are taught in German so students should have upper level language ability.  Past offerings have included Geology (Palaeontology, Sedimentology and Stratigraphy, Quaternary Geology), Mineralogy (Mineralogy and Crystallography, Systematic Mineralogy, Geoscientific Field trip), Solid Earth 1 and 2 (System Earth, Intro to fieldwork).

ISEP University of Helsinki

  • Program Type: ISEP Exchange 
  • Available Terms: Spring
  • Country: France
  • Standing: Junior, Senior
  • Language: Offers French language coursework. 
  • Concentrations: Environmental Science, Geology
  • Unique Feature: English taught courses vary by year but normally offers 2-5 courses at the Undergraduate and Graduate level suitable for exchange students. 

ISEP Universite Savoie

  • Program Type: ISEP Exchange 
  • Available Terms: Spring
  • Country: France
  • Standing: Junior, Senior
  • Language: Offers French language coursework. 
  • Concentrations: Geology
  • Unique Feature:This program helps students acquire knowledge and skills in the areas of field geology, data analysis, tectonics, geophysics and geosciences. The semester also includes a for-credit research project and a French as a Foreign Language course. 

USAC Cork 

  • Program Type: Affiliate 
  • Available Terms: Academic Year, Fall, Spring
  • Country: Ireland
  • Standing: Sophomore, Junior, Senior
  • Concentrations: Environmental Science, Geology
  • Unique Feature: Past offerings have included Sedimentary Environments, Micropalaeontology and Palynology, Stratigraphy, Environmental Hydrogeology, Advanced Igneous Processes, Geochemistry, Evolution for Geologists, Applied Structural Geology, Environmental Risk Assessment and Auditing, Freshwater Science, Environmental Mapping and Assessment, Environmental Impact Assessments, and more. 

ISEP University of Malta

  • Program Type: ISEP Exchange, ISEP Direct 
  • Available Terms: Spring
  • Country: Malta
  • Standing: Sophomore, Junior, Senior
  • Concentrations: Geology
  • Unique Feature: Malta offerings include Physical Oceanography, Thermal Physics of the Earth, Fundamentals of Geophysics, Hydrology and Hydrogeology, Atmospheric Physical and Chemistry Processes.  Additional offerings are available to full year students. 

Adam Mickiewicz University

  • Program Type: Partial Exchange
  • Available Terms: Academic Year, Spring
  • Country: Poland
  • Standing: Sophomore, Junior, Senior
  • Concentrations: Environmental Science, Geology
  • Unique Feature: Offerings may change from year to year but past courses have included Glacial Geology and Geomorphology, Minerals and Rocks Identification, Meteorites and Planetary Geology, Environmental Management, Field Geology, Hydrogeology, Global Warming and Ecosystems, and more.  

ISEP Plymouth

  • Program Type: ISEP Exchange
  • Available Terms: Academic Year, Fall, Spring
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Standing: Sophomore, Junior, Senior
  • Concentrations: Geology

Keele University 

  • Program Type: Basic Exchange, Fee Paying
  • Available Terms: Academic Year, Fall, Spring
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Standing: Sophomore, Junior, Senior
  • Concentrations: Environmental Science, Geology

University of Lincoln

  • Program Type: Basic Exchange, Fee Paying
  • Available Terms: Academic Year, Fall, Spring
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Standing: 2nd Semester Sophomore, Junior, Senior
  • Concentrations: Geology

USAC Reading 

  • Program Type: Affiliate 
  • Available Terms: Academic Year, Fall, Spring
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Standing: Junior, Senior
  • Concentrations: Environmental Science, Geology

Middle East/N Africa

AURAK

  • Program Type: Full Exchange 
  • Available Terms: Academic Year, Fall, Spring
  • Country: United Arab Emirates
  • Standing: Sophomore, Junior, Senior
  • Language: Offers Arabic language coursework. 
  • Concentrations:  Geology
  • Unique Feature: Offers a Petroleum Engineering major. 

Oceania

La Trobe University 

  • Program Type: Basic Exchange, Fee Paying
  • Available Terms: Academic Year, Fall, Spring
  • Country: Australia
  • Standing: Sophomore, Junior, Senior
  • Concentrations: Environmental Science
  • Unique Feature: Past course offerings have included Remote Sensing and GIS, Groundwater - Sustainability and Contamination, Climate Change and Landscape Evolution 

Southern Cross University 

  • Program Type: Basic Exchange, Fee Paying
  • Available Terms: Academic Year, Fall, Spring
  • Country: Australia
  • Standing: Sophomore, Junior, Senior
  • Concentrations: Environmental Science, Geology
  • Unique Feature: SCU course offerings include Environmental Mapping, Lithosphere, Hydrosphere, Geographical Information Systems, Coastal Biogeochemistry, Hydrology, and others. 

ISEP Massey and USAC Massey

  • Program Type: ISEP Exchange 
  • Available Terms: Academic Year, Fall, Spring
  • Country: New Zealand
  • Standing: Sophomore, Junior, Senior
  • Concentrations: Environmental Science, Geology


Research

ISA Universidad del Norte

  • Program Type: Affiliate
  • Available Terms: Summer
  • Country: Colombia
  • Standing:  Junior, Senior
  • Language Requirement: High Beginner Spanish
  • Concentration: Environmental Science
  • Unique Feature: Offers students the option of completing a 4 credit summer research project. 

ISA Euroscholars

  • Available Terms: Fall, Spring
  • Country: Europe
  • Standing: Junior, Senior
  • Highlights: EuroScholars is a unique research abroad programme designed for advanced and talented undergraduate students from US and Canadian institutions looking for an international research experience. In this programme, students have the opportunity to undertake one course in the classroom and then work under the direct supervision of professors and other academic staff on a specific academic research project chosen by both the student and the faculty. 

Internships

USAC Hawkes Bay Internship

  • Program Type: Affiliate Internship
  • Available Terms: Summer
  • Country: New Zealand
  • Concentration: Environmental Science
  • Unique Feature: Students will take an Agriculture and Environment Field Expedition course and will have a 4 week placement in family farms, agribusinesses, non-profit environmental organizations, wildlife sanctuaries, regional land management authorities, governmental departments, and wineries.

Additional information about international internships can be found on the OIED website.