Earth and Planetary Sciences

2011-12 General Catalog

A232 Earth and Marine Sciences Building
(831) 459-4089
http://www.es.ucsc.edu

Program Description

The Earth and Planetary Sciences Department teaches and conducts research in a wide array of topics. We seek to answer questions such as:

How did the Earth form? How has it evolved since then? What makes up the interior of the Earth?
What is the history of life on Earth? What are the causes and effects of past mass extinctions?
How do mountain ranges form? What causes earthquakes? What causes island chains to form? What controls the evolution of glaciers? How do we prevent coastal erosion? How well can we predict tsunamis?
What has Earth’s climate been like in the past? How will climate change in the future?
What controls the supply and quality of our freshwater resources?
How are other planets in our solar system different from Earth? How did they evolve to their present state? How have the impacts of asteroids on Earth and other planets affected their evolution?

A variety of methods and tools are used to help us address these questions. Geologists examine rocks and geologic formations in order to understand the processes that control their formation and evolution. Geochemists and mineralogists examine the chemical and mineral composition of rocks, sediments, and fossils using a variety of sophisticated analytical instruments. Geophysicists use seismometers to not only record earthquakes, but also to learn about the deeper parts of the Earth. Environmental scientists collect samples of the atmosphere, rivers, lakes, and the oceans, sometimes requiring the use of aircraft and ships. Spacecraft have visited and explored all of the planets in our solar system. Space-based satellites have provided a massive amount of data about Earth over the past few decades. Scientists from all disciplines use computer models to help them understand these complex systems.

The Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences offers a number of degrees that teach undergraduate and graduate students the knowledge and skills necessary to address these questions. Along with the standard Earth sciences major, we offer degrees with concentrations in environmental geology, ocean sciences, planetary sciences, and science education. We also offer combined majors with environmental studies and anthropology. A minor in Earth sciences is also available. We offer courses across a wide range of topics, allowing students to tailor the curriculum to their interests. Courses are comprised of not only classroom lectures, but frequently field trips, laboratories, and computer exercises are involved. Many related courses are offered by other departments such as Ocean Sciences, Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology, Environmental Studies, Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Astronomy and Astrophysics. The university capstone requirement is often fulfilled by attending the departmental field camp, or by completing a senior research thesis, but other choices are also possible.

Graduates of our department continue on to a variety of careers, such as:

Business and industry
Geological and environmental consulting
Governmental agencies at the federal, state, and local level
Non-profit organizations
Research at universities, governmental research institutions, or other scientific agencies
Graduate/professional school in areas such as science, engineering, teaching, law, public health, business

For more information about the people in the department, their areas of interest, departmental facilities, contact e-mails and phone numbers, and how to apply to join our department as an undergraduate or graduate student, please see our web site: http://es.ucsc.edu/.

Academic Advising

A student who wants to become an Earth sciences major should contact the Earth and Planetary Sciences Department undergraduate staff adviser as soon as possible. After developing a formal study plan and submitting a declaration of major petition, students are required to meet with staff and faculty advisers who can help the student plan his or her program in detail and provide information about independent study, thesis research, advanced study, career options, and other educational opportunities. Relevant courses taken at UCSC or other institutions may be substituted for degree requirements by approved petition. Please see the undergraduate adviser for the substitution petition form and more information about this process.

Transfer Students

Transfer students planning to major in Earth sciences are encouraged to complete as many as possible of the required chemistry, biology, calculus, and calculus-based physics courses. Having this coursework completed elsewhere allows students greater flexibility in scheduling and completing their UCSC Earth and planetary sciences courses. Transfer students intending to become Earth sciences majors should meet with department advisers during summer orientation or shortly after their arrival on campus to plan their next year's schedule of courses.

Bachelor of Science Degree

The bachelor of science (B.S.) program is designed for students who intend to pursue professional careers in Earth and planetary sciences, engineering, policy, law, teaching, or business or who otherwise desire the broad, quantitative training available at UCSC. In addition to providing comprehensive preparation in the basic physical sciences, and particular breadth and depth in Earth and planetary sciences, the curriculum is structured to prepare students for the competitive graduate school and career marketplace.

The core of the major includes calculus, physics, chemistry, and a group of comprehensive Earth and planetary sciences courses. For the standard B.S., students then select at least four additional courses from a diverse list of upper-division electives, with at least two that involve significant laboratory or field data acquisition and analysis. These electives, often in combination with additional upper-division courses from this and related departments, provide the student with expertise in one or more subdisciplines within Earth sciences.

Elective distributions can be designed to emphasize earthquake and faulting studies, Earth surface processes, Earth system sciences, geologic hazards, geology, crustal and deep-Earth geophysics, marine geophysics, and water resources. Four formal concentrations, all with specific course requirements and leading to an Earth and planetary sciences B.S., are available: environmental geology, ocean sciences, science education, and planetary sciences. A senior comprehensive experience (senior thesis, or geologic field camp, intensive internship experience, or exemplary performance in a graduate course) is required of all majors.

Prerequisites for Declaring the Major

We recommend that you consult with the department’s undergraduate staff adviser to discuss options for degree concentrations and coursework priorities before you start the process of officially declaring your major. A student may not officially declare the Earth sciences major until he or she completes (with a minimum grade of C) one of the following introductory courses in physical geology:

Earth Sciences 5, California Geology

Earth Sciences 10, Geologic Principles

Earth Sciences 20, Environmental Geology

Transfer students may take an approved substitution for one of the above courses.

The process for declaring the major starts by obtaining a Declaration of Major petition (available online at http://advising.ucsc.edu/student/declaration/Declaration.pdf) and having it approved and processed by the department staff adviser.

Preparation for the Standard Major (B.S.)

Chemistry 1A, 1B/M and 1C/N

Mathematics 11A-B or 19A-B, or Applied Mathematics and Statistics 15A-B, Mathematics 22 or 23A or Earth Sciences 111

Physics 6A/L and 6B/M (preferred), or 5A/L and 5B/M

Physics 6C/N or 5C/N or Chemistry 108A/L or 112A/L

Requirements for the Standard Major (B.S.)

Earth Sciences 5/L, or 10/L, or 20/L; 110A/L, 110B/M, and 110C/N, 190 (optional, 1-credit mentorship class)

At least four elective courses from upper-division Earth and planetary sciences offerings, or Ocean Sciences 102 or 120, must be completed. Two of the four upper-division electives must be selected from this subset of courses, which involve significant laboratory or field data acquisition/analysis: 109/L, 116, 117/L, 119, 120/L, 130/L, 140/L, 142, 146, 148, 150/L; 168.

Five (5) credits of internship (Earth Sciences 198) or independent study (Earth Sciences 199) may be substituted for one upper-division elective.

Students also complete the comprehensive requirement described below.

Students are encouraged to take more than the minimum number of elective courses and may craft an elective distribution from many areas of specific research and career interests. The following are examples of suggested elective distributions that develop expertise in important areas (an asterisk (*) indicates that the course satisfies the laboratory or field data acquisition/analysis requirement).

Earth system sciences. Focuses on terrestrial, marine, and atmospheric processes and their relations through time; may include paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental dynamics, global change issues, and surface geological processes such as weathering, erosion, and hydrology: 100/L, 101/L, 102, 107, 109/L*, 116*, 119*, 120/L*, 121, 125, 128, 148*, 191, 208, Ocean Sciences 102, 120

Earthquake and faulting studies. Focuses on crustal deformation and faulting processes and related phenomena such as plate motions, earthquakes, and stress in the lithosphere: 109/L*, 117/L*, 119*, 150/L*, 162, 168*, 172

Geologic hazards. Focuses on Earth processes that impact society, including earthquakes, volcanoes, coastal erosion, and landslides: 104, 105, 107, 109/L*, 116*, 140/L*, 142*, 146*

Geology. Emphasizes a traditional broad background with field skills, rock genesis and interpretation, and structural relations: 109/L*, 117/L*, 120/L*, 130/L*, 140/L*, 150/L*

Geophysics. Develops breadth in geophysical techniques, composition and structure of Earth’s deep interior, and gravitational and magnetic fields: 117/L*, 119*, 150/L*, 160, 162, 168*, 172

Marine geophysics. Emphasizes a breadth of geological and geophysical background for continuing study of the processes involved in the growth, evolution, and destruction of the ocean floor and margins: 107, 117/L*, 146*, 150/L*, 152, 168*

Surface processes. Emphasizes understanding the fluxes of energy, water, mass, and chemicals within and across Earth’s surface and the relations to climatic and tectonic forcing processes: 107, 109/L*, 116*, 119*, 120/L*, 140/L*, 128, 142*, 146*, 148*, 163, Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology 144

Water resources. Focuses on water resources quality and quantity and relations between climate and water in and on the crust: 105, 109/L*, 116*, 119*, 121, 140/L*, 142*, 146*, 148*, Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology 144, Ocean Sciences 120

Comprehensive Requirement (B.S.)

Students complete one of the following four options:

1. Satisfactory completion of Earth Sciences188A-B, Summer Field Internship and GIS with Applications in the Earth Sciences

2. Satisfactory completion of a senior thesis (Earth Sciences 195), which must include a significant element of independent research or original work and can only be undertaken after agreement is obtained from a faculty member to supervise it (approximately three quarters in advance of completion)

3. Exemplary performance (grade of B or better), including a major written report, in a 5-credit graduate course or seminar (which requires permission from the instructor in order to enroll)

4. Satisfactory completion of a 5-credit internship (Earth Sciences 198) under the guidance of an on-site supervisor, with coordination and prior approval of the department’s internship director. The project must include a comprehensive final written report.

PLEASE NOTE: Options 3. and 4. may not count toward fulfilling an upper-division elective if used as a capstone.

Earth Sciences Standard B.S. Major Planner

Students planning a professional career in the Earth and planetary sciences should take more than the minimum number of courses required for the major if possible. Four-year students have ample flexibility to take additional electives if they begin with the required courses in their second year. Junior transfers also have flexibility if they have taken most of their preparatory courses in calculus, chemistry, and physics before entry. Further advice can be obtained from the undergraduate adviser and from faculty members.

Note: Chemistry 1A, 1B/M and 1C/N and Mathematics 11A-B and 19A-B and 22 and 23A are offered every quarter. Physics 6A/L is offered every quarter but Physics 6B/M is not offered in fall and Physics 6C/N is not offered in winter.

Year	Fall	Winter	Spring
1st (frsh)	CHEM 1A	MATH 11A or 19A or AMS 15A	EART 10/L MATH 11B or 19B or AMS 15B
1st (frsh)	College core	CHEM 1B/M	CHEM 1C/N
2nd (soph)	EART 110A/L*	EART 110B/M*	EART 109/L*
2nd (soph)	MATH 22A or 23A or EART 111	PHYS 6A/L	PHYS 6B/M
3rd (jr)		EART elective	EART 110C/N
3rd (jr)	PHYS 6C/N or CHEM 108A/L
4th (sr)	EART elective	EART elective	EART 188A-B or senior thesis †
	senior thesis †	senior thesis †
	EART 190 (1-credit, optional)

*EART 109/L, 110A/L, and 110B/M are required for participation in EART 188A-B
†Students expecting to write a senior thesis for their comprehensive requirement are required to contact the department approximately three quarters before graduation to identify the intended project and faculty adviser. Senior theses usually require at least two or three quarters for completion.

Earth Sciences Major with Concentration in Environmental Geology (B.S.)

The environmental geology concentration is designed to provide quantitative preparation for career pathways involving interdisciplinary study of the environment with a geological emphasis. Additional biology and environmental studies courses are required for this concentration along with other distributions of upper-division requirements and electives.

Required Lower-Division Courses

Earth Sciences 20/L (recommended) or 10/L or 5/L

Environmental Studies 25

Biology: Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology (MCD) BIOL 20A; Biology: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB) BIOE 20B; BIOE 20C

Chemistry 1A, 1B/M, and 1C/N

Mathematics 11A-B or 19A-B, or Applied Mathematics and Statistics 15A-B

Physics 6A/L and 6B/M (preferred), or 5A/L and 5B/M

Required Upper-Division Courses

Earth Sciences 110A/L and 110B/M, 190 (optional, 1-credit mentorship class); BIOE 107

At least four of the following Earth and planetary sciences courses: 100/L, 101/L, 102, 104, 105, 107, 109/L, 110C/N, 111, 116, 119, 120/L, 121, 125, 128, 140/L, 142, 146, 148, 150/L

Two additional upper-division electives with environmental topics from biology, chemistry, Earth and planetary sciences, environmental studies, environmental toxicology, or ocean sciences

Students also complete a comprehensive requirement from the list described above.

Earth Sciences (Environmental Geology) B.S. Major Planner

Year	Fall	Winter	Spring
1st (frsh)	CHEM 1A	EART 20/L
	College core	MATH 11A or 19A or AMS 15A	MATH 11B
		CHEM 1B/M	CHEM 1C/N
2nd (soph)	EART 110A/L*	EART 110B/M*	EART 109/L*
2nd (soph)	BIOL 20A	ENVS 25	BIOE 20B
3rd (jr)	BIOE 20C	EART elective	BIOE 107
3rd (jr)	PHYS 6A/L	PHYS 6B/M	elective
4th (sr)	elective	elective	elective
	senior thesis †	senior thesis †	senior thesis † or EART 188A-B
	EART 190 (1-credit, optional)

* EART 109/L, 110A/L, and 110B/M are required for participation in EART 188A-B.

† Students expecting to write a senior thesis for their comprehensive requirement are required to contact the department approximately three quarters before graduation to identify the intended project and faculty adviser. Senior theses usually require two or three quarters for completion.

Earth Sciences Major with Concentration in Ocean Sciences (B.S.)

The ocean sciences concentration is intended to provide quantitative preparation for career pathways that include oceanography and biogeochemistry. Additional biology and chemistry courses are required for this concentration along with other distributions of upper-division requirements and electives.

Required Lower-Division Courses

Earth Sciences 5/L or 10/L, or 20/L

BIOL 20A and BIOE 20B

Chemistry 1A, 1B/M and 1C/N

Mathematics 11A-B or 19A-B, or Applied Mathematics and Statistics 15A-B

Mathematics 22 or 23A or Earth Sciences 111

Physics 6A/L and 6B/M (preferred), or 5A/L and 5B/M

Required Upper-Division Courses

Earth Sciences 110A/L, 110B/M, 110C/N, 190 (optional, 1-credit mentorship class); Chemistry 108A/L and 108B/M, or 112A/L and 112B/M and 112C/N; Ocean Sciences 101 or 102

Four electives from the following list: Earth Sciences 101/L, 102, 105, 107, 109/L, 111, 116, 119, 120/L, 121, 128, 130/L, 148, 172; Chemistry 122; Ocean Sciences 101, 102, 118, 120, 130, 200, 220, 260

Students also complete a comprehensive requirement from the list described above. For those choosing a thesis, a topic emphasizing ocean sciences is recommended.

Earth Sciences (Ocean Sciences) B.S. Major Planner

Year	Fall	Winter	Spring
1st (frsh)	CHEM 1A	CHEM 1B/M	EART 10/L
	College core	MATH 11A or 19A or AMS 15A	CHEM 1C/N
			MATH 11B or 19B or AMS 15B
2nd (soph)	EART 110A/L*	EART 110B/M*	EART 110C/N*
2nd (soph)	MATH 22 or 23A or EART 111	PHYS 6A/L	PHYS 6B/M
3rd (jr)	elective	OCEA 101	EART 109/L*
3rd (jr)	CHEM 108A/L	CHEM 108B/M	BIOL 20A
4th (sr)	BIOE 20B	elective	elective
	senior thesis †	senior thesis †	senior thesis † or EART 188A-B
	EART 190 (1-credit, optional)

* EART 109/L, 110A/L, and 110B/M are required for participation in EART 188A-B.

Earth Sciences Major with Concentration in Planetary Sciences (B.S.)

The planetary sciences concentration is designed to provide students with a quantitative background appropriate for career pathways in the interdisciplinary study of planets and their satellites. The upper-division elective courses can be tailored for students interested in planetary interiors, atmospheres, and/or surfaces.

Required Lower-Division Courses

Earth Sciences 10/L (preferred); or 5/L; or 20/L

One of: Astronomy 12; or 16; or 18

Chemistry 1A, 1B/M, and 1C/N

Mathematics 19A-B (preferred) or 11A-B, or AMS 15A-B

Mathematics 22; or 23A; or Earth Sciences 111

Physics 5A/L, 5B/M, 5C/N (preferred); or 6A/L, 6B/M, 6C/N; 5D recommended

Required Upper-Division Courses

Earth Sciences 110A/L, 110B/M, 110C/N, 119, 160, 190 (optional, 10credit mentorship class)

One elective from the following Earth sciences courses: 162, 163, 164

Three electives from the following courses: Earth Sciences 107, 109/L, 116, 117/L, 121, 128, 130/L, 140/L, 148, 150/L, 152, 162, 163, 164, 172, 209, 210; Astronomy 112, 118; Mathematics 130

Students also complete the comprehensive requirement from the list described above. For those choosing a thesis, a topic emphasizing planetary sciences is recommended.

Earth Sciences (Planetary Sciences) B.S. Major Planner

Year	Fall	Winter	Spring
1st (frsh)	MATH 19A	MATH 19B	EART 10/L
	College core	CHEM 1B/M	CHEM 1C/N
	CHEM 1A		Lower-div ASTR
2nd (soph)	EART 110A/L*	EART 110B/M*	EART 110C/N*
	PHYS 5A/L	PHYS 5B/M	PHYS 5C/N
	MATH 22 or 23A or EART 111		elective
3rd (jr)	EART 160	EART 119	EART 109/L*
3rd (jr)	PHYS 5D (2 credits, optional)
4th (sr)	senior thesis †	senior thesis †	senior thesis † or EART 188A-B
4th (sr)	EART 190 (1-credit, optional)	elective	elective

* EART 109/L, 110A/L, and 110B/M are required for participation in EART 188A-B.

Earth Sciences Major with Concentration in Science Education (B.S.)

The science education concentration provides future K-12 science teachers with coursework aligned with the California K-12 Earth and planetary science standards; a broad background across the sciences; and a thorough introduction to educational theory and practice including a sequence of three classroom-based internships. Additional biology, astronomy, and ocean science courses required for this concentration ensure that students are very well prepared to enter a rigorous teaching-credential program and, ultimately, a career in education. The senior comprehensive requirement involves a curriculum-development project jointly overseen by faculty in Earth and planetary sciences and UCSC’s California Teach (Cal Teach) program.

Students may start with either the Cal Teach or Earth and Planetary Sciences Department for degree and course information, but must stay in contact with both for dual advising and development of study plans as well as approval for formally declaring the major.

Required Lower-Division Courses

Earth Sciences 5/L (strongly recommended) or 10/L or 20/L

Astronomy 2 (recommended) or another lower-division course in astronomy

Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology (BIOL) 20A

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (BIOE) 20B and 20C

Education 50C

Mathematics 11A-B, or 19A-B, or Applied Mathematics and Statistics 15A-B

Chemistry 1A, 1B/M, and 1C/N

Physics 6A/L and 6B/M

Required Upper-Division Courses

Ocean Sciences 102

Earth Sciences 110A/L and 110B/M

Earth Sciences 109/L, or both 120/L and 150/L

Earth Sciences 111, or Mathematics 21 or 22, or Applied Mathematics and Statistics 5

Two upper-division courses in Earth sciences or ocean sciences, one of which must involve significant laboratory or field data acquisition/analysis

Education 100C, 185C, 185L

One upper-division education course from the following list: Education 128, 141, 164, or 181

Students complete a comprehensive requirement by doing an independent project through the Earth and Planetary Sciences Department, which applies knowledge of Earth and planetary sciences to K-12 curriculum development (Earth Sciences 194F).

Earth Sciences (Science Education) B.S. Major Planner

Year	Fall	Winter	Spring
1st (frsh)	CHEM 1A	CHEM 1B/M	CHEM 1C/N
	EART 5/L	MATH 11A or 19B or AMS 15A	MATH 11B or 19B or AMS 15B
	College core	EDUC 50C
2nd (soph)	EART 110A/L	EART 110B/M	ASTR 2
2nd (soph)	EDUC 100C (2 credits)	PHYS 6A/L	PHYS 6B/M
3rd (jr)	EART 109/L	EDUC 185C	OCEA 102
3rd (jr)	EART 111 or MATH 21	BIOL 20A	BIOE 20B
4th (sr)	EART/OCEA upper-division	EART/OCEA upper-division	EART 194F capstone
4th (sr)	BIOE 20C or ENVS 24	EDUC 185/L (2 credits)	EDUC elective

Combined Major in Environmental Studies/Earth Sciences (B.A.)

The combined major in environmental studies and Earth sciences is designed to provide enhanced exposure to geological concepts and processes for students emphasizing environmental policy and social science topics. Students are advised to plan carefully and to contact academic advisers in both the Environmental Studies and Earth and Planetary Sciences Departments early if they have questions. For the requirements of the combined environmental studies/Earth sciences bachelor of arts (B.A.) degree, see the environmental studies program description.

Combined Major in Earth Sciences/Anthropology (B.A.)

The Earth sciences/anthropology combined major is intended for students with interests in Earth sciences and the laboratory-based aspect of anthropology. These include anthropology students interested in archaeology or paleoanthropology who desire more intensive training in natural sciences and Earth sciences students interested in paleobiology or archaeology. The combined major provides a rigorous training in both anthropology and Earth sciences and will permit students to enter graduate programs in Earth sciences, archaeology, or paleoanthropology. The combined major has a significantly different set of cognate science and required lower- and upper-division courses than the standard major; therefore, students are advised to plan carefully and to contact academic advisers in the Earth and Planetary Sciences and Anthropology Departments early if they have questions.

Required Lower-Division Courses

Anthropology 1, 2, and 3

Earth Sciences 5/L, or 10/L, or 20/L

Mathematics 11A-B, 19A-B, or Applied Mathematics and Statistics 15A-B

Five lower-division science cognate courses (plus laboratories) chosen from the following:

BIOL 20A, BIOE 20B, BIOE 20C

Chemistry 1A, 1B/M, 1C/N

Physics 6A/L, 6B/M

Required Upper-Division Courses

Earth Sciences 110A/L

Any three upper-division electives (5+ credits) in Earth sciences

Any four five- to seven-credit upper-division electives listed under the Anthropology Department’s Physical Anthropology and Archaeology Courses subdivision.

Comprehensive Requirement

One of the following:

Satisfactory completion of Anthropology 194-series (any senior seminar in physical anthropology or archaeology)
Satisfactory completion of Earth Sciences 188A-B*, Summer Field Internship and Geographic Information Systems with Applications to the Earth Sciences
Satisfactory completion of a senior thesis (Earth Sciences 195) with faculty readers from both departments, which must include a significant element of independent research or original work and can only be undertaken after agreement is obtained from faculty members to supervise it (approximately three quarters in advance of completion)
Satisfactory completion of a 5-credit internship (Earth Sciences 198) under the guidance of an on-site supervisor, with coordination and prior approval of the Earth and Planetary Science department’s internship director. The project must include a comprehensive final written report.

* Earth Sciences 188A-B has as prerequisites courses 109/L, 110A/L, and 110B/M.

Earth Sciences/Anthropology Combined Major Planner

Year	Fall	Winter	Spring
1st (frsh)	ANTH 1	ANTH 2	ANTH 3
1st (frsh)	College core		EART 10/L
2nd (soph)	Cog Sci	MATH 11A or 19A or AMS 15A	MATH 11B or 19B or AMS 15B
2nd (soph)	Cog sci	Cog sci	ANTH elective
3rd (jr)	EART 110A/L	EART elective	ANTH elective
3rd (jr)	Cog sci	Cog sci	EART elective
4th (sr)	ANTH elective	EART elective	ANTH elective
4th (sr)	Sr comp	Sr comp	Sr comp

Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement

Students of every major must satisfy that major's upper-division disciplinary communication (DC) requirement. All degree options for the Earth sciences major except science education require students to pass at least two of the following designated DC courses (totaling 10 credits), all of which entail writing assignments:

Earth Sciences 100, Vertebrate Paleontology

Earth Sciences 101, The Fossil Record

Earth Sciences 102, Marine Geology

Earth Sciences 104, Geologic Hazards

Earth Sciences 109. Field Geology

Earth Sciences 116, Hydrology

Earth Sciences 120, Sedimentology and Stratigraphy

Earth Sciences 125, Analytical Paleobiology

Earth Sciences 140, Geomorphology

Earth Sciences 146, Groundwater

Earth Sciences 148, Glaciology

Earth Sciences 150, Structural Geology

Earth Sciences 152, Active Tectonics

Earth Sciences 160, Planetary Science

Earth Sciences 188A, Summer Field Internship

Earth Sciences 191, Climate Change Science and Policy

Earth Sciences 195, Senior Thesis

Students in the science education concentration are required to take Education 185L and at least one of the DC courses designated above (totaling eight credits).

Students in the combined major in Earth sciences/anthropology are required to pass two courses in any combination from the above list of Earth sciences courses or the following anthropology courses: 100, 170, 194B, 194L, and 194Y.

Honors

Honors in the major are determined by a review of grades and narrative evaluations at the time a student applies for graduation. A faculty committee makes the decision based on the quality of all coursework, but especially in the courses required for the major. Extra coursework or independent study as well as more intensive or rigorous coursework and the quality of a capstone project may also be taken into consideration. Honors in the combined majors with environmental studies and anthropology will be granted only when the committees in both departments are in agreement. Highest honors may also be awarded in exceptional cases when a student’s overall grade point average (GPA) is at 3.75 and performance in the senior capstone requirement is equally outstanding.

Honors on the senior thesis are determined independently of major honors, and must be approved by two faculty readers. Honors in capstone courses (i.e., Earth Sciences 188A or 188B) are awarded if the grade(s) are at A- level or above.

Disqualification from the Major

Students will be disqualified from the major if they are unsuccessful in two attempts to pass (minimum grade C) any of the Earth Sciences 110 foundation series courses or associated 2-unit laboratories:

Earth Science 110A/L, Evolution of the Earth;

Earth Science 110B/M, Earth as a Chemical System;

Earth Science 110C/N, The Dynamic Earth.

Any two failures of the same lecture or laboratory course will implement disqualification. Warning of disqualification notification will be sent upon each failed course.

Minor Requirements

Students can earn a minor in Earth sciences by taking courses 5/L or 10/L or 20/L and five upper-division Earth sciences courses. Courses offering less than 5 credits (such as Earth Sciences190 or 2-credit laboratories and independent studies) may not be counted toward the minor requirements, although additional coursework is always encouraged.

Graduate Program

The graduate program in Earth and planetary sciences is designed to prepare students for research, industry, consulting, teaching, and numerous other career paths, including business and law. The aim is to develop habits of critical analysis and thorough documentation; skills in quantitative field, computational, and/or laboratory research; and proficiency in one or more fields of research. The fundamental requirement for admission to the program is substantial evidence of superior scholarship, dedication and determination to do quality work, and aptitude for original research. Preparation in the basic sciences and in Earth and planetary sciences equivalent to the requirements for the Earth sciences bachelor’s degree at UCSC is expected, but graduates in chemistry, physics, engineering, biology, or other disciplines who meet the requirement of superior scholarship are eligible and encouraged to apply. Gaps in knowledge can be made up through coursework. Prospective students should take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test and have the scores sent to the UCSC Division of Graduate Studies.

UCSC awards both the master of science (M.S.) and the doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees. The M.S. degree may be the terminal degree for some seeking careers in industry, government, and teaching at the secondary level. It may also be an initial step toward the Ph.D. degree, in which the student gains knowledge and confidence in carrying out and completing a more complex scientific project.

Thesis Track (Ph.D., M.S.). In their first year, all thesis-track graduate students register for courses 203, Introductory Teaching Seminar; 204, Fundamentals of Earth and Planetary Sciences; 205, Introductory Graduate Seminar; 206, Great Papers in the Earth Sciences; and, in consultation with the graduate advising committee, choose at least one from among courses 207, Tectonics; 208, Methods in Paleoclimatology; 209, Solid Earth Geochemistry; 210, Overview of Stellar and Planetary Formation and Evolution; 220, Ground Water Modeling; 231, Igneous Petrology; 254, The Climate System; 262, Planetary Interiors; 265, Order of Magnitude Estimation; 270, Global Seismology; or 275, Magnetohydrodynamics. Additionally, all students will be required to take one course in quantitative analysis from an approved list (available at the department office). In subsequent years, all students participate in course 293, Graduate Research Seminar. Other course requirements are tailored to the individual student’s academic background, professional experience, and plans for research. Master’s degree students must take a minimum of 35 quarter credits of graduate and upper-division undergraduate courses (at least 20 of which are graduate-level and not including Earth Science 297, Independent Research) including the courses mentioned above. No specific number of course credits is required for the Ph.D., but ordinarily students put more of their effort into coursework during the first year of graduate study. It is recommended that all thesis-track graduate students attain some teaching experience while at UCSC.

Before the start of fall quarter, each first-year thesis track student is required to meet with his/her faculty adviser to determine a list of course offerings recommended to meet academic and research goals. Immediately afterwards, a meeting is scheduled with the graduate program director to finalize and approve this initial discussion with a written study plan. Yearly academic review meetings will then reassess the student's progress in completing these courses and independent research, initially with the primary adviser but eventually with a reading committee composed of at least three members of the faculty and research staff (at least 50 percent of which must be members of the Academic Senate).

To qualify for candidacy in the Ph.D. program, each student must pass an oral examination in his or her area of specialization by the end of their third year of graduate study, although students are strongly encouraged to take the examination earlier. The examination is based on a research proposal presenting one or more specific questions to be researched by the student in the course of completing their Ph.D. thesis. Students are expected to have in-depth knowledge of fields relevant to the proposal, including familiarity with the professional literature.

The Ph.D. dissertation is a scholarly contribution to knowledge that embodies the results of original and creative effort by the student. Students are urged to prepare their dissertations for publication in peer-reviewed professional journals. A public oral defense of the thesis is required prior to completion of the Ph.D.

The M.S. thesis is a scholarly contribution consisting of results of an original research project by the student. Students are strongly encouraged to prepare their results for publication in the peer-reviewed literature. The M.S. thesis must be completed by the end of the third year after entering the program, and students are strongly encouraged to complete their thesis earlier and to present the results of this work publicly.

Coursework M.S. Track. The coursework M.S. track is a professional program designed to allow students to increase their breadth, quantitative depth, or emphasis on a particular specialty; to provide the student with a stronger background toward competition for jobs or an enhancement of skills for current employment (e.g., K–14 teaching); and to allow students from other disciplines (e.g., biology, physics, chemistry, mathematics, environmental studies) to acquire advanced training in Earth and planetary sciences. Prior to the first quarter of study, students have a meeting with their faculty adviser in which they develop a study plan of at least nine courses, no more than one of which may be 297 or 298, and a statement of objectives. The plan must be approved by the graduate representative. Students are also limited to one Earth Sciences 290 pro-seminar course. It is expected that the course plan will comprise mainly graduate-level and quantitative, upper-level, undergraduate elective courses.

Coursework master’s students are required to fulfill one of the following capstone options: a substantial review/research manuscript or a comprehensive oral examination based on their coursework.

There is no foreign-language requirement for either the M.S. or Ph.D. degree. However, many students in the Earth and planetary sciences find knowledge of one or more foreign languages necessary in their particular research and therefore study the appropriate language.

Details regarding admission to graduate standing, financial aid, examinations, and the requirements for the master of science and doctor of philosophy degrees are available from the Division of Graduate Studies. For more information, see Graduate Studies at http://www.es.ucsc.edu/grad/index.html.

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Revised: 8/13/12