Western Carolina University

Transfer Guide

Western Carolina University
Geology, BS

Transfer Guide for Associate in Science

2024-2025

Concentration(s): Environmental Hydrology
Delivery Method: On-Campus

Program Admission Notes:

Transfer students should apply to Western Carolina University at applynow.wcu.edu. A minimum 2.2 GPA is required for consideration, however, this does not guarantee admission. We recommend that you aim for an average cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above on 12+ hours of college credit for competitiveness with other incoming transfer applicants.

Please note that admission to the institution does not guarantee admission to specific programs, and some programs do require a supplemental application. Check the program website at WCU.edu for supplemental application details and instructions, or reach out to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at 828.227.7317.

Contact:

Advising Center
transferadvising@wcu.edu

Revised: May, 2024

College Level Foreign Language Requirements:

No foreign language requirement for this program.

Major-Specific Course Recommendations:

Students are encouraged to build the Community College course recommendations below into the associate degree to best prepare for the intended major.

Recommended CC Course Credit
Hours		 University Equivalent Associate Degree
Requirement Fulfilled		 University Requirement Fulfilled
MAT 172: Precalculus Trigonometry 4 MATH 146: Precalculus II UGETC Math Required Course, General Education
CHM 151: General Chemistry I 4 CHEM 139: General Chemistry I UGETC Natural Sciences Required Course, General Education
MAT 271: Calculus I
OR
MAT 152: Statistical Methods I or MAT 252: Statistics II 		4 University Equivalencies Additional General Education Courses Required Course, General Education
PHY 151: College Physics I
OR
PHY 251: General Physics I 		4 University Equivalencies Additional General Education Courses Required Course, General Education
GEL 111: Geology 4 GEOL 151: Earth:Geol,Rsrce,Hazard,Envir & GEOL 19A: Lower Level Electives Elective/Pre-Major Courses Required Course
MAT 171: Precalculus Algebra 4 MATH 130: Precalculus I & MATH 19A: Lower Level Electives UGETC Math Suggested Course, General Education

Remaining Associate Degree Requirements:

In addition to major-specific course recommendations above, students should work with a community college advisor to select additional community college courses to fulfill the remaining associate degree requirements identified below.

Recommended CC Course Credit
Hours		 University Equivalent Associate Degree
Requirement Fulfilled		 University Requirement Fulfilled
ENG 111: Writing and Inquiry 3 ENGL 101: Writing and Rhetoric English Composition General Education
ENG 112: Writing/Research in the Disc 3 ENGL 202: Writing and Critical Inquiry English Composition General Education
COM 231: Public Speaking 3 COMM 201: Foundations of Communication UGETC Humanities/Fine Arts General Education
Student Choice/No Preference (Approved Course Options) 3 University Equivalencies UGETC Humanities/Fine Arts General Education
Student Choice/No Preference (Approved Course Options) 6 University Equivalencies UGETC Social/Behavioral Sciences General Education
CHM 152: General Chemistry II 4 CHEM 140: General Chemistry II UGETC Natural Sciences General Education
Student Choice/No Preference (Approved Course Options) 3 University Equivalencies Additional General Education Courses General Education
ACA 122: College Transfer Success 1 ELEC 19A: Lower Level Electives Academic Transition Elective
Student Choice/No Preference (Approved Course Options) 10 University Equivalencies Elective/Pre-Major Courses Elective

Additional Information From Western Carolina University:

At Western, our students get experience actually doing geology and are supported by faculty and fellow students in the classroom and lab, at our on-campus hydrological research station, and on many outdoor field trips.  All geology majors get an internship-like research experience to solve a real-world geological problem and communicate their results to the professional community.  Most alumni pursue geosciences careers, such as work in environmental fields, for government agencies, in K-12 education, and in energy resources.  About one-quarter of alumni go on to graduate school for advanced degrees in geosciences or in other professional programs.

Remaining Bachelor’s Degree Requirements at University:

University Course Credit
Hours		 University Course Notes
Geology Core Requirements 21
  • GEOL 141 - Earth History and Prehistoric Life Credits: 3
  • GEOL 145 - Climate Change and Water Resources Credits: 3
  • GEOL 250 - Earth Materials Credits: 3
  • GEOL 302 - Geomorphology Credits: 4

or

  • GEOL 305 - Soils and Hydrology Credits: 4
  • GEOL 371 - Structural Geology Credits: 4

or

  • GEOL 422 - Sedimentation and Stratigraphy Credits: 4
  • GEOL 495 - Senior Seminar in Geology Credits: 3

or at least three hours of

  • GEOL 499 - Senior Thesis Credits: 2-4, R6
Environmental Hydrology Concentration Requirements 24

Geology Coursework

Take two courses from the list below that do not duplicate a course taken to satisfy the core requirement.

  • GEOL 302 - Geomorphology Credits: 4
  • GEOL 305 - Soils and Hydrology Credits: 4
  • GEOL 405 - Hydrogeology Credits: 4
  • GEOL 410 - Fluvial Geomorphology Credits: 3

Foundation Sciences and Math

  • GEOL 465 - Environmental Geochemistry Credits: 3

or

  • CHEM 140 - General Chemistry II Credits: 4

or

  • CHEM 330 - Aquatic Chemistry Credits: 4

or

  • PHYS 131 - Introductory Physics II Credits: 4

or

  • PHYS 231 - General Physics II Credits: 4

Upper-Level Science and Math Electives

Upper-level electives in geology, other sciences, or mathematics chosen in consult with advisor. 

Potential courses are listed below.

  • GEOL 423 - Contaminated Rivers: Assessment, Remediation, and Restoration Credits: 3
  • GEOL 455 - Wetlands Credits: 3
General Electives 30

To complete 120 hours, students may need to take additional General Electives (the number depends on how many Liberal Studies courses also count toward the major).

Note: Students planning to pursue graduate work are strongly urged to consult with their advisor to learn of courses that may be required for their area of interest. Some geology graduate programs may require additional coursework in math, chemistry, or physics, and some may require field camp.