Disaster Science (5019)
- Undergraduate
- Bachelor of Science
- Science and Engineering
- Geography & Geology
Overview
The Bachelor of Science in Disaster Science builds upon traditional emergency management practices to include a better understanding of the complex causal relationships that yield the destructive outcomes trending in modern catastrophic events. This program prepares students to function effectively in all phases of the disaster cycle, with particular focus on preparedness, prevention, and mitigation efforts to lessen the potential for loss of life, property, and environmental impacts.
Program Requirements (52 hours)
A baccalaureate degree requires a minimum of 120 unduplicated semester hours. More information can be found at www.wku.edu/registrar/degree_certification.php.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| DISC 101 | Introduction to Global Disasters | 3 |
| DISC 200 | Applied Disaster Science Practices | 3 |
| METR 121 | Meteorology | 3 |
| GEOG 226 | Our Dangerous Planet | 3 |
| GEOG 300 | Writing in the Geosciences | 3 |
| GISC 316 | Geographic Information Systems I | 4 |
| GISC 317 | Geographic Information Systems II | 4 |
| METR 324 | Weather Analysis and Forecasting | 3 |
| METR 326 | Applied Meteorology / Climatology | 3 |
| EMDS 400 | Emergency Management Policy and Practices | 3 |
| EMDS 401 | Natural and Technological Disaster Risks | 3 |
| EMDS 402 | Resiliency in Response to Terrorism and Violence | 3 |
| EMDS 403 | Advanced Disaster Planning, Management, and Preparedness | 3 |
| GEOG 499 | Professional Preparation | 1 |
| Complete a minimum of 3 hours from these courses: | 3 | |
EMDS 404 | Trends in Disaster Preparedness and Management | |
GEOG 495 | Applied Research, Independent Study, or Internship | |
| Additional Required Courses: | ||
| MATH 136 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH 183 | Introductory Statistics | 3 |
| or STAT 301 | Introductory Probability and Applied Statistics | |
| or GEOG 391 | Geoscience Statistical Analysis | |
| Total Hours | 52 | |
Students will complete the requirements for a certificate in Emergency Management Disaster Science in the course of degree completion.
Finish in Four Plans
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| DISC 101 | 3 | COMM 145 | 3 |
| ENG 100 | 3 | HIST 101 | 3 |
| MATH 117 | 3 | ENG 200 | 3 |
| Colonnade | 3 | EMDS 400 | 3 |
| Colonnade | 3 | ||
| 12 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| DISC 200 | 3 | GEOG 300 | 3 |
| GEOG 226 | 3 | METR 121 | 3 |
| Colonnade | 3 | EMDS 401 | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | MATH 136 | 4 |
| Elective | 3 | Colonnade | 3 |
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| MATH 183, STAT 301, or GISC 316 | 3-4 | GISC 317 | 4 |
| GISC 316 | 4 | Colonnade | 3 |
| EMDS 402 | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Colonnade | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Colonnade | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 16-17 | 16 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| EMDS 403 | 3 | GEOG 495 or EMDS 404 | 3 |
| GEOG 499 | 1 | Elective | 3 |
| METR 324 | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Total Hours 121-122 | |||