Overview

What are the Geosciences?

The role of geoscientists will be central to the primary challenges facing the world in the 21st century, including global climate change and evolving demands for energy resources, construction and manufacturing materials, food and agricultural products, and building sites necessary to support a growing population. The geosciences are distinct from other natural sciences in that knowledge from many other fields is integrated to explore questions that arise as humans interact with the Earth.

What do Geoscientists Do?

Geoscientists investigate processes that change the Earth over time, including dramatic geological processes such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, and ongoing processes associated with rivers, wind, glaciers, oceans, and soil erosion. Geoscientists are trained to explore how the materials of the Earth react over different time scales, from seconds to billions of years, and over different spatial scales, from atomic to planetary.

Study in the geosciences requires creativity, collaboration, and the ability to integrate information from a wide range of connected topics such as chemistry, biology, physics, and geography. In this light, geoscientists have a particularly flexible professional skillset that is founded in core analysis and interpretation skills developed in the field and laboratory. Successful students must be able to think three dimensionally, have strong quantitative skills, and be able to communicate clearly through writing and speaking. Field trips are included in most courses.

Why study Geosciences at PLU?

Pacific Lutheran University is located at the leading edge of western North America offering a unique setting for the study of geosciences. The natural environments of the Pacific Northwest region are unsurpassed in providing a rich variety of geologic field studies in the Cascade Mountains, the Columbia River Basalt Plateau, the coastal areas of the Puget Sound, the Pacific Ocean, and the Olympic Peninsula. The student/faculty ratio in geosciences at PLU allows students to work closely with faculty in classes, laboratories, and field studies. Faculty members work individually with students in small seminar groups and on research projects.

We offer two majors and a minor in Geosciences. We also teach many classes for non-science majors at the university. The student/faculty ratio in geosciences at PLU allows students to work closely with faculty in classes, laboratories, and field studies. Faculty members are available to work individually with students in small seminar groups and on research projects.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

General Oceanography

Earthquakes, Volcanoes and Geologic Hazards

Conservation of Natural Resources

Meteorology

Geology of National Parks

Global Climate Changes

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-09-02 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-01-15 00:00:00 , International
- Apply before 2027-02-01 00:00:00 , National

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

115

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TOEFL^® IBT

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PTE Academic

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IELTS

6.5

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Credits

120 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Tacoma, United States

Disciplines

Earth Sciences Geology View 474 other Bachelors in Geology in United States

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

115

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Fill out the application.

Personal essay: the essay should be at least 250 words.

Official transcripts must be translated to English from all secondary upper schools you’ve attended.

Academic recommendation: the academic recommendation must be from a qualified person familiar with your academic record such as a principal, teacher, or counselor.

You must meet PLU’s general English proficiency requirements.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

53831 USD / year

≈ 53831 USD / year
Out-of-State

53831 USD / year

≈ 53831 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

53831 USD / year

≈ 53831 USD / year

Living costs

Tacoma

United States

1000 - 1580 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Geosciences.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

What are the Geosciences?

What do Geoscientists Do?

Why study Geosciences at PLU?

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Tacoma

Funding

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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