About the Program

Ready to explore the forces that shape Earth and other planets? The Earth and Planetary Sciences program offers a foundational grounding in the science of Earth’s history that opens opportunities for students to focus their interests on everything from the evolution of life to natural hazards, to policy as it relates to climate, sustainable natural resources management, to planetary exploration and processes. From deep time to planetary futures, our program equips the next generation to tackle global challenges and build a sustainable future, preparing you for graduate studies and careers in science, policy, planning, education, resource management, and more.

What You'll Study

As a student in the Earth and Planetary Sciences program, you will gain a strong foundation in Earth and planetary sciences while building the analytical and communication skills to tackle today’s most pressing environmental and planetary challenges. Our rigorous curriculum is designed to:

• Build a strong foundation with introductory courses that introduce students to the fundamentals of geo- and planetary sciences.

• Develop strong quantitative and analytical skills through hands-on experiences, which include a mix of laboratory work, computer modeling, and fieldwork necessary to conduct research and think critically about questions involving the Earth and other planets.

• Explore a breadth of departmental courses in geobiology and paleontology, mineralogy and petrology, volcanology, sedimentology and structural geology, geomorphology, and more, as well as optional chemistry, physics, calculus, and computer science that prepare students to dive deeper into multidisciplinary areas of interest in the program.

• Conclude your studies by applying the knowledge and skills you developed in the program to our field mapping course while working as part of a team to map geologic formations in the Eastern Sierras.