Earth & Planetary Science BA

About this programme

The Earth and Planetary Science major offers six specializations in the following areas: Atmospheric Science The Atmospheric Science specialization explores the fundamental natural processes controlling atmospheric composition, circulation dynamics, and climate. Understanding how these processes have changed in the past and may change in the future are among the greatest intellectual and technological challenges of our time. Topics covered will include the physics of climate variability and climate change, changes in stratospheric ozone, coupling of atmospheric chemistry and climate, changes in the oxidation capacity of the troposphere, smog, and the impacts of atmosphere-biosphere exchange on atmospheric composition. Environmental Earth Science The environmental earth science major is designed to provide students with a broad background in the earth sciences with an emphasis on environmental sciences. Interrelationships between physical, biological, and chemical processes at Earth's surface will be emphasized. The major focuses broadly on the natural sciences by primarily using earth science as a base for expanding outward depending upon students' interests by incorporating courses in biology, hydrology, hazardous waste management, ecology, and natural resources. The program is designed to provide background for graduate study in environmental science, preparation for work within government agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency, Bureau of Land Management, United States Geological Survey or consulting firms, or broader involvement in land use planning, business, policy, law or management. Geology Geology is the science of the Earth—of its minerals and processes, of its origin and evolution.