Earth and Planetary Sciences
2017-18 Catalog
A232 Earth and Marine Sciences Building
(831) 459-4089
http://eps.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? How were Earth’s ocean and atmosphere generated, and how have they changed through time?
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 changes are likely in Earth’s atmospheric properties?
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, which are studied in tandem using high-pressure experiments. 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 and many other questions. Along with the standard Earth sciences major, we offer degrees with concentrations in environmental geology, geology, ocean sciences, and planetary sciences. 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:
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Business and industry
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Geological and environmental consulting
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Governmental agencies at the federal, state, and local level
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Non-profit organizations
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Research at universities, governmental research institutions, or other scientific agencies
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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 website.
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.
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 six 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, and planetary sciences. A senior comprehensive experience (senior thesis, or geologic field camp, intensive capstone course, or exemplary performance in a graduate course) is required of all majors.
Qualifying for 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. To declare the Earth sciences majors (including all concentrations within the major), a student must complete (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.
Students who qualify start the declaration process by submitting a petition to the department staff adviser.
Transfer Students
Transfer students planning to major in Earth sciences are strongly recommended (but not required) to complete all lower-division mathematics and science pre-requisites appropriate to their concentration of interest. For example, students planning to major in Earth sciences with a Planetary Science Concentration should complete the equivalents to the following courses (including the associated laboratory components): Mathematics 11A and 11B; Chemistry 1A/L, 1B/M and 1C/N; Physics 6A/L and 6B/M; and Earth Sciences 5/L, 10/L or 20/L. One of the latter Earth sciences courses is required for declaring the major (see above).
Having this coursework completed elsewhere allows students greater flexibility in scheduling and completing their UCSC Earth and planetary sciences courses. Transfer students planning on attending UCSC to pursue an Earth sciences major should review the transfer preparation information.
Letter Grade Policy
For all students entering UCSC in fall 2015 and later, all but two (2) courses used to satisfy requirements for any of the Earth and planetary science majors must be taken for a letter grade. Combined majors (Earth sciences/anthropology and Earth sciences/environmental studies) are currently exempt from this policy.
Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement
Students of every major must satisfy that major’s upper-division Disciplinary Communication (DC) general education requirement. All majors described below require students to complete a minimum of two (2) courses from the list of courses that in combination satisfies the Disciplinary Communication general education requirement. Courses taken to satisfy the DC requirement may also satisfy upper-division elective or senior comprehensive requirements. Consult one of the Earth and Planetary Sciences advisers for the most up-to-date list of scheduled classes. Currently the list (subject to change) consists of:
Earth Sciences 100, Vertebrate Paleontology
Earth Sciences 101, Invertebrate Paleobiology
Earth Sciences 102, Marine Geology
Earth Sciences 104, Geologic Hazards
Earth Sciences 109, Field Geology
Earth Sciences 120, Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
Earth Sciences 140, Geomorphology
Earth Sciences 146, Ground Water
Earth Sciences 148, Glaciology
Earth Sciences 150, Structural Geology
Earth Sciences 160, Planetary Science
Earth Sciences 188A, Summer Field Internship
Earth Sciences 191A, Climate Change Science and Policy
Earth Sciences 195, Senior Thesis
Students in the combined Earth Sciences/Anthropology major may, in addition choose their courses to satisfy the DC requirement from the following Anthropology offerings: 100, 170, 194B, 194L, and 194Y.
Comprehensive Requirement (B.S.)
All students must satisfy the senior comprehensive requirement. To do so, each student must complete one of the following options:
1) Satisfactory completion of Earth Sciences 188A, Summer Field Internship, and Earth Sciences 188B, GIS with Applications in the Earth Sciences.
2) Satisfactory completion of a senior thesis, which must include a significant element of independent research or original work and can only be undertaken after an agreement is obtained from a faculty member to supervise it (at least three quarters in advance of completion). Students may take Earth Sciences 199, Independent Study, as part of performing the research for their senior thesis. It is required that each student enroll in and pass Earth Sciences 195, Senior Thesis, in the academic quarter during which they complete their thesis.
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 course offerings are: Earth Sciences 191A, Climate Change and Policy (was Earth Sciences 191); Earth Sciences 191B, Planetary Science Capstone (was Earth Sciences 193); and Earth Sciences 112, Practical Geophysics. Other capstone courses in the 191 series may also be added in the future.
Various external field/research experiences may also satisfy this requirement. See the faculty adviser for more details.
The intent of this requirement is to synthesize knowledge and skills from a student’s undergraduate career. Therefore, prior to completing an activity to satisfy the Senior Comprehensive Requirement, students should have already completed EART 110A, one of EART 110B or 110C, and three other upper-division courses that fulfill major requirements. Students should consult an adviser if they have any questions about the timing of their proposed Comprehensive Requirement activity.
Please note: Courses that are used to satisfy the capstone may not also count toward fulfilling the upper-division elective requirement.
Requirements for the Standard Earth Sciences Major (B.S.)
Required Lower-Division Courses
Chemistry 1A, 1B/M, and 1C/N
Mathematics 11A and 11B or 19A and 19B, or Applied Mathematics and Statistics 15A and 15B; and Mathematics 22 or 23A, or Earth Sciences 111
Physics 6A/L and 6B/M
Earth Sciences 5/L, or 10/L, or 20/L
Required Upper-Division Courses
Earth Sciences 110A/L, 110B/M, and 110C/N, 190 (optional but recommended 1-credit mentorship class)
At least six elective courses (5+ credits each) from upper-division Earth sciences or ocean sciences offerings must be completed. Earth Sciences 198 and 199 may not be used to satisfy this requirement.
Two or more of the upper-division electives must be selected from courses with an intensive field/laboratory/data analysis component. The following courses that satisfy this requirement:
Earth Sciences 107, 109, 112, 116, 119, 120, 125, 130, 140, 142, 146, 148, 150, 188A, 188B.
Note: Courses used to satisfy the senior comprehensive requirement cannot also be used to satisfy the field/laboratory/analysis requirement.
Two or more courses must also be completed in from the list of courses that satisfy the Disciplinary Communications (DC) requirement, as described above.
Students also complete the senior comprehensive requirement as described above.
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*, 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*, 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: 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, 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
Standard Earth Sciences 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.
|
Year |
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1st |
CHEM 1A |
MATH 11A or 19A or AMS 15A |
EART 10/L |
|
College core |
CHEM 1B/M |
CHEM 1C/N |
|
|
2nd |
EART 110A/L* |
EART 110B/M* |
EART 109/L* |
|
MATH 23A or EART 111 |
PHYS 6A/L |
PHYS 6B/M |
|
|
3rd |
EART elective |
EART 110C/N |
|
|
EART elective |
EART elective | ||
|
4th |
EART elective |
EART elective |
EART 188A-B |
|
senior thesis (EART 199) † |
senior thesis (EART 199) † |
||
|
EART 190 |
*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 at least three quarters before graduation to identify the intended project and faculty adviser. Senior theses usually require at least two or three quarters for completion.
Requirements for the Earth Sciences Major with Concentration in Geology (B.S.)
Required Lower-Division Courses
Chemistry 1A, 1B/M and 1C/N
Mathematics 11A-B or 19A-B, or Applied Mathematics and Statistics 15A-B; and Mathematics 22 or 23A, or Earth Sciences 111
Physics 6A/L and 6B/M
Earth Sciences 5/L, or 10/L, or 20/L
Required Upper-Division Courses
Earth Sciences 109/L, 110A/L, 110B/M, and 110C/N, 190 (optional but recommended 1-credit mentorship class)
At least two courses from the following list of Earth Sciences offerings: 120/L, 130/L, 140/L and 150/L.
At least three additional elective courses (5+ credits each) from upper-division Earth sciences or ocean sciences offerings must be completed. Earth Sciences 198 and 199 may not be used to satisfy this requirement.
Two or more courses must also be completed in from the list of courses that satisfy the Disciplinary Communications (DC) requirement, as described above.
Students are required to complete Earth Sciences 188A and 188B to satisfy their senior comprehensive requirement.
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.
Earth Sciences (Geology) 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.
|
Year |
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
|
1st |
CHEM 1A |
MATH 11A or 19A or AMS 15A |
EART 10/L |
|
College core |
CHEM 1B/M |
CHEM 1C/N |
|
|
2nd |
EART 110A/L* |
EART 110B/M* |
EART 109/L |
|
MATH 23A or EART 111 |
PHYS 6A/L |
PHYS 6B/M |
|
|
3rd |
EART elective |
EART 110C/N |
|
|
EART elective |
EART 140/L or elective |
EART 120/L or 130/L or elective |
|
|
4th |
EART 150/L or elective |
EART 140/L or elective |
EART 188A-B |
|
senior thesis (EART 199)† |
senior thesis (EART 199)† |
||
|
EART 190 |
† Students expecting to write a senior thesis for their comprehensive requirement are required to contact the department at least 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 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 or 10/L or 5/L
Environmental Studies 25
Biology: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB) BIOE 20C
Chemistry 1A, 1B/M, and 1C/N
Mathematics 11A and 11B or 19A and19B, or Applied Mathematics and Statistics 15A and 15B
Physics 6A/L and 6B/M
Required Upper-Division Courses
Earth Sciences 110A/L and 110B/M, 190 (optional but recommended 1-credit mentorship class)
At least four elective courses (5+ credits each) from upper-division Earth sciences or ocean sciences courses must be completed. Earth Sciences 198 and 199 may not be used to satisfy this requirement.
At least two courses must be completed from the list of courses that satisfy the DC requirement. See above for the full list.
Two additional upper-division electives, preferably with environmental topics from biology, chemistry, Earth and planetary sciences, environmental studies, environmental toxicology, or ocean sciences. Courses may simultaneously satisfy both the upper-division elective and DC requirements. Earth Sciences 198 and 199 may not be used to satisfy this requirement.
Students also complete a senior comprehensive requirement from the list described above.
Earth Sciences (Environmental Geology) B.S. Major Planner
|
Year |
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1st |
CHEM 1A |
EART 20/L |
|
|
College core |
MATH 11A or 19A or AMS 15A |
MATH 11B |
|
|
CHEM 1B/M |
CHEM 1C/N |
||
|
2nd |
EART 110A/L* |
EART 110B/M* |
EART 109/L* |
|
PHYS 6A/L |
PHYS 6B/M |
||
|
3rd |
BIOE 20C |
EART elective |
|
|
EART elective |
ENVS 25 |
EART elective |
|
|
4th |
EART elective |
EART elective |
EART elective |
|
senior thesis (EART 199)† |
senior thesis (EART 199)† |
senior thesis (EART 195)† |
|
|
EART 190 |
* 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 at least 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
BIOE 20C
Chemistry 1A, 1B/M and 1C/N
Mathematics 11A and 11B or 19A and 19B, or Applied Mathematics and Statistics 15A and 15B
Mathematics 22 or 23A or Earth Sciences 111
Physics 6A/L and 6B/M
Required Upper-Division Courses
Earth Sciences 110A/L, 110B/M, 110C/N, 190 (optional but recommended 1-credit mentorship class); Ocean Sciences 101 or 102
At least four elective courses (5+ credits each) chosen from upper-division Earth Sciences or Ocean Sciences courses must be completed. Earth Sciences 198 and 199 may not be used to satisfy this requirement. Choosing from the following list is recommended, but not mandatory: Earth Sciences 101/L, 102, 105, 107, 109/L, 111, 116, 119, 120/L, 121, 128, 130/L, 148, 172; Ocean Sciences 101, 102, 118, 120, 130, 200, 220, 260.
At least two courses must be completed from the list of courses that satisfy the DC requirement. See above for the full list
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 |
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 |
EART 110A/L* |
EART 110B/M* |
EART 110C/N* |
|
MATH 23A |
PHYS 6A/L |
PHYS 6B/M |
|
|
3rd |
EART elective |
OCEA 101 |
EART 109/L* |
| BIOE 20C |
CHEM 108B/M |
||
|
4th |
EART elective |
EART elective |
|
|
senior thesis (EART 199)† |
senior thesis (EART 199)† |
senior thesis (EART 195)† |
|
|
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 at least 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 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
Astronomy 12 or 16 or 18
Chemistry 1A, 1B/M, and 1C/N
Mathematics 19A and 19B (preferred) or 11A and 11B, or AMS 15A and 15B
Mathematics 22; or 23A; or Earth Sciences 111
Physics 5A/L, 5B/M (preferred); or 6A/L, 6B/M
Required Upper-Division Courses
Earth Sciences 110A/L, 110B/M, 110C/N, 119, 160, 190 (optional but recommended 1-credit mentorship class)
One elective from the following Earth Sciences courses: 162, 163, 164
At least three electives (5+ credits each) from upper-division Earth Sciences, Ocean Sciences, Astronomy 112 or 118, or Mathematics 130 must be completed. Earth Sciences 198 and 199 may not be used to satisfy this requirement. Choosing from the following list is recommended but not mandatory: Earth Sciences 107, 109/L, 116, 121, 128, 130/L, 140/L, 148, 150/L, 152, 162, 163, 164, 172, 209, 210; Astronomy 112, 118; Mathematics 130.
At least two courses must be completed from the list of courses that satisfy the DC requirement. See above for the full list.
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 |
MATH 19A |
MATH 19B |
EART 10/L |
|
College core |
CHEM 1B/M |
CHEM 1C/N |
|
|
CHEM 1A |
Lower-div ASTR |
||
|
2nd |
EART 110A/L* |
EART 110B/M* |
EART 110C/N* |
|
PHYS 6A/L |
PHYS 6B/M |
||
|
MATH 23A |
EART elective |
||
|
3rd |
EART 160 |
EART 119 |
EART 109/L* |
|
4th |
senior thesis (EART 199)† |
senior thesis (EART 199)† |
senior thesis (EART 195)† |
|
EART 190 (1-credit, optional) |
EART elective |
EART elective |
* 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 at least three quarters before graduation to identify the intended project and faculty adviser. Senior theses usually require two or three quarters for completion.
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 and 11B, 19A and 19B
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
At least three elective courses (5+ credits) from upper-division Earth Sciences offerings must be completed. Earth Sciences 198 and 199 may not be used to satisfy this requirement.
Any four five- to seven-credit upper-division electives listed under the Anthropology Department’s Physical Anthropology and Archaeology Courses subdivision.
At least two courses that are part of the DC requirement must be completed as part of the required upper-division courses. Earth Sciences courses that are part of the DC curriculum are: 100, 101, 102, 104, 109, 116, 120, 125, 140, 146, 148, 150, 160, 188A, 191A, 195; Anthropology courses are: 100, 170, 194B, 194L, and 194Y). Courses may simultaneously satisfy both the DC requirement and the upper-division Earth Sciences or Anthropology elective requirement.
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 and 188B*, 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 (at least 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 and 188B has as prerequisites courses 109/L, 110A/L, and 110B/M.
Earth Sciences/Anthropology Combined Major Planner
|
Year |
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1st |
ANTH 1 |
ANTH 2 |
ANTH 3 |
|
College core |
EART 10/L |
||
|
2nd |
Cog sci |
MATH 11A or 19A or AMS 15A |
MATH 11B or 19B or AMS 15B |
|
Cog sci |
Cog sci |
ANTH elective |
|
|
3rd |
EART 110A/L |
EART elective |
ANTH elective |
|
Cog sci |
Cog sci |
EART elective |
|
|
4th |
ANTH elective |
EART elective |
ANTH elective |
|
Sr comp |
Sr comp |
Sr comp |
Honors
Honors in the major are determined by a review of grades (typically 3.50 or above) 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 above 3.75 and performance in the senior capstone requirement is equally outstanding. The department reserves the right to withhold honors and highest honors based on other criteria, such as an incident of academic dishonesty.
Honors on the senior thesis are determined independently of major honors, and must be approved by two faculty readers.
Keys to Success in the Major
Achieving success in the Earth Sciences major is strongly correlated with successfully taking the required foundation classes and their associated 2-credit laboratories,
Earth Science 110A/L, Evolution of the Earth;
Earth Science 110B/M, Earth as a Chemical System.
If you are unsuccessful in passing your first attempt at these classes, past experience suggests that you might have difficulty successfully completing this major. We strongly recommend that you seek advising from the department or your college adviser. Two failures of one of these required gateway classes (or associated lab) are likely to preclude completion of the major.
EPS Program Learning Outcomes
Students graduating with a B.S. in Earth and planetary sciences (all concentrations) should be able to:
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understand the processes governing the properties and evolution of Earth's interior and surface;
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identify rocks and minerals, and describe their connection to geologic processes;
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utilize algebraic mathematical tools to quantitatively address questions in the geosciences; and
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write in a clear, organized, and logical fashion using disciplinary standards for reporting and citation.
See the table below for a summary of the courses involved in the introduction, development, and assessment of each Program Learning Outcome (PLO). The table summarizes program learning outcomes and the courses where they are introduced/developed (D) and assessed (A).
| Program Learning Outcome Number | ||||
| EART Course Number | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| 5 or 10 or 20 | D | D | ||
| 5L or 10L or 20L | D | D | ||
| 110A (problem sets) | D | |||
| 110A (midterm, short essay questions) | D | |||
| 110A (midterm, quantitative questions) | D | |||
| 110A (final, short essay questions) | A | |||
| 110A (final, quantitative questons) | A | |||
| 110L (lab reports) | D | D | ||
| 110B (lectures) | D | |||
| 110M (weekly quizzes) | D | |||
| 110M (final practical assessment) | A | |||
| 110B (final examination, rock identification) | A | |||
| First to penultimate DC course (final paper) | D | |||
| Last DC course taken (final paper) | A | |||
Minor Requirements
Students can earn a minor in Earth sciences by taking Earth Sciences 5/L or 10/L or 20/L and five upper-division Earth sciences courses. Courses offering fewer than 5 credits (such as Earth Sciences 190 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 requirements for admission to the program are substantial evidence of superior scholarship, dedication and determination to do quality work, and aptitude for original research. Preparation in the basic sciences equivalent to the requirements for the Earth sciences bachelor’s degree at UCSC is expected and, for non-undergraduate Earth sciences majors, achieving breadth of knowledge across the Earth and planetary sciences is expected. Excellent scholars from other disciplines, including chemistry, physics, engineering, biology, or astronomy are both 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 electronically to the UCSC Division of Graduate Studies. Applicants from countries where English is not the primary language must take either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test.
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.
Graduate Program in Earth Sciences (Ph.D.)
Thesis Ph.D. Track. In their first year, all thesis-track graduate students register for courses 203, Introductory Teaching Seminar; 204, Earth and Planetary Sciences Foundation; 206, Great Papers in the Earth Sciences; and, in consultation with the graduate advising committee, choose at least one subject course focusing on specific Earth and planetary sciences content and one course focusing on quantitative analysis (from a list in the EPS Graduate Handbook). 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. 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 must meet with his/her faculty adviser to determine a customized course list designed to improve breadth and enable 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.
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 (second year if entering with a master's degree), 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.
Graduate Program in Earth Sciences (M.S.)
Thesis M.S. Track. In their first year, all thesis-track graduate students register for courses 203, Introductory Teaching Seminar; 204, Earth and Planetary Sciences Foundation; 206, Great Papers in the Earth Sciences; and, in consultation with the graduate advising committee, choose at least one subject course focusing on specific Earth and planetary sciences content and one course focusing on quantitative analysis (from a list in the EPS Graduate Handbook). 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 units 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. 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 must meet with his/her faculty adviser to determine a customized course list designed to improve breadth and enable 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 with the primary adviser will then reassess the student's progress in completing these courses and independent research.
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.
Plan 2 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 5-credit courses, and a statement of objectives. Of these courses, only one can be from the EART 280-290 series, and at least 20 credits must come from graduate courses numbered 200-279. One of the nine courses can be an independent study involving a focused research project. It is expected that the course plan will comprise a minimum of 45 quarter credits at the graduate-level and quantitative, upper-division, undergraduate-level elective courses. The course plan must be approved by the graduate representative.
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.
Revised: 09/01/17
