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Geosciences focus on studying Earth's systems and its development over time. Professionals in this field explore and manage natural resources like water reserves, minerals, and fuels while addressing environmental challenges such as mining pollution and waste management. They also forecast geological phenomena including earthquakes and volcanic activity, while investigating fundamental questions about our planet's formation and life's beginnings. The Bachelor of Arts curriculum emphasizes gathering evidence, researching, evaluating, and synthesizing data about intricate natural systems, along with developing precise thinking and effective communication skills. This degree offers foundational geoscience knowledge, tailored for students pursuing careers bridging science, social sciences, and commerce. Potential career paths encompass environmental law, global resource planning, and education at primary through high school levels.
The majority of Penn State’s applications come from traditional, first-year students. The following types of students are considered first-year applicants (or freshman applicants, as some refer to them): Current high school student in his or her senior year; Student who has earned a high school diploma or a GED and has no post-secondary coursework; Student who has attempted 17 or fewer credits (semester hours) of college coursework at a regionally accredited college/university before attending Penn State; Current high school student who may have enrolled in another institution(s) before graduating from high school (dual enrollment); Student who may have attended Penn State on a nondegree basis.
English Language Proficiency
The following are ways in which you can satisfy the language proficiency requirement: TOEFL: A minimum TOEFL score of 80 on the Internet-based TOEFL or 550 on the old paper exam and a minimum of 20 in each section of the new paper exam (code #2660); IELTS: A minimum IELTS score of 6.5 on the academic test.