EPS-BS - Earth and Planetary Sciences (BS)

The undergraduate program in Earth and Planetary Sciences aims to provide students with a broad background in the Earth and Planetary Sciences fundamentals and the quantitative, analytical, and communications skills necessary to conduct research and think critically about questions involving the Earth and other planets. The major provides excellent preparation for graduate school and careers in geological and environmental consulting, land use planning, law, teaching, and other professions in which a background in science and an understanding of our and other planets are necessary.

Areas of study in the Earth and Planetary Sciences:

Majoring in Earth and Planetary Sciences is an opportunity to focus on everything from the evolution of life to natural hazards, sustainable natural resources management,  understanding climate change, and planetary exploration.

Below is a list of additional focuses you can explore within EPS.

• Earth history and the evolution of life 

• Oceans and the atmosphere

• Processes that shape the Earth’s landscapes

• Chemistry and physics of Earth materials

• Sources of water, economic minerals, metals, and fuels

• Natural hazards like earthquakes, volcanoes, and landslides

• Contamination of Natural Waterways and Possibilities for Mitigation

• Resource depletion and sustainable practices

Research & Impact

Earth and Planetary Sciences focuses on the history and structure of the Earth and other planets, the physics and chemistry of planetary materials, the processes that cycle those materials globally, and the interaction of human activities with geological processes and resources. 

Below is a list of multidisciplinary areas you can explore within EPS.

• Geobiology

• Geochemistry & Environmental Chemistry

• Geochronology & Thermochronology

• Geomorphology, Hydrology, and Surface Processes

• Geostatistics & Uncertainty Quantification

• Mineralogy, Materials Science, and Mineral Physics

• Petrology & Volcanology

• Planetary Science

• Sedimentary & Petroleum Geology

• Structural Geology & Tectonics, Geomechanics