Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences
Science for a sustainable future.
Are you interested in how Earth’s systems work together? Do you wish to learn how humans interact with and change the environment? Are you fascinated by today’s ever-evolving mapping and GIS technologies? Do you hope to make a difference in creating a sustainable future for generations to come?
A degree in earth and environmental sciences can help you do all that and much more. And with our expert faculty, state-of-the-art laboratories and versatile nearby landscapes, there’s no better place to earn your degree than Murray State.
See experiental learning in action in this 2-min video of our students learning in the field.
Where opportunity begins.
When it comes to selecting your field of study, you have plenty of options for bachelor’s, master’s and certification programs.
Bachelor's Degree Tracks
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Archaeology
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Earth science (secondary education)
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Environmental science
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Geography and GIS
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Geology
Master's Degree Programs
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MS in Earth and Environmental Sciences has both non-thesis and thesis options. Thesis Concentrations include: Archaeology, Environmental geology, Geoinformatics, and Watershed science.
- MS in Sustainability Science
Accelerated BS+MS (4+1) Program
Starting Fall 2020, eligible students in their junior year can apply for our Accelerated BS+MS Program and complete a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in EES in five years.
Certifications
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GIS certificate (undergraduate)
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Geospatial Data Science certificate (graduate)
Discover yourself.

“The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences has offered me multiple hands-on opportunities to learn outside the classroom and to develop my own research projects. I have found new passions I didn’t know I had and have been able to work independently to develop and improve my research and communication skills.”
Experiental Learning (a 2-min video of our students learning in the field)
Change the world.
A degree in earth and environmental sciences will open countless doors to your future. In fact, job growth in the field is higher than average with the work being done by earth and environmental sciences graduates more important than ever. Career options include but are not limited to:
- Archaeologist
- Cartographer
- Earth or soil scientist
- Environmental coordinator
- Environmental geology consultant
- Geographer
- Geologist
- Geospatial data scientist
- Hydrologist
- Museum curator
- Park ranger
- Remote sense specialist
- Teacher
- Urban and regional planner
- Watershed scientist
And that’s only the beginning.
View additional career opportunities for archaeology, earth science, environmental science, geography and GIS and geology fields.
What's next?
Learn more about becoming a Racer at murraystate.edu/myopportunity.
Then tour campus and connect with current earth and environmental sciences students and faculty to see the incredible opportunities waiting for you at Murray State.
Contact
- Dr. Robin Zhang
- Chair
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences
- 334 Blackburn Science Building
- Murray, KY 42071
- qzhang@murraystate.edu
- 270.809.6760