Program Overview

Earth System Science, B.S.

Overview

Earth System Science is an interdisciplinary field of study that combines oceanography, atmospheric science, meteorology, geography, geology, hydrology, and environmental science. The Earth System Science (B.S.) program provides students with a fundamental understanding of the oceanographic, atmospheric, and terrestrial sciences, preparing them for careers in science, research, or technical fields.

Admission

Students may be admitted to the Earth System Science major upon entering the University as freshmen, via change of major, or as transfer students from other colleges and universities. For transfer student admission, preference will be given to junior-level applicants with the highest grades overall and who have satisfactorily completed the following required courses: one year of approved calculus and one year of general chemistry with laboratory (preferred) or one-year of calculus-based physics with laboratory.

Requirements

Major Requirements

• Complete:
  • EARTHSS 1: Introduction to Earth System Science
  • or EARTHSS 3: Oceanography
  • or EARTHSS 5: The Atmosphere
  • EARTHSS 51: Land Interactions
  • EARTHSS 53: Ocean Biogeochemistry
  • EARTHSS 55: Earth's Atmosphere
  • EARTHSS 114: Earth System Science Laboratory and Field Methods
  • or EARTHSS 115: Aquatic Field Methods
  • EARTHSS 116: Introduction to Environmental Data Science
  • EARTHSS 192: Careers in Earth System Science
  • MATH 2A-2B: Single-Variable Calculus I and Single-Variable Calculus II
  • STATS 7: Basic Statistics
  • Complete the following sequence and accompanying lab:
    • CHEM 1A-1B-1C: General Chemistry
    • and General Chemistry
    • and General Chemistry
    • CHEM 1LC-1LD: General Chemistry Laboratory
    • and General Chemistry Laboratory
  • Select one of the following sequences and accompanying labs:
    • PHYSICS 3A-3B-3C: Basic Physics I
    • and Basic Physics II
    • and Basic Physics III
    • PHYSICS 3LB-3LC: Basic Physics Laboratory
    • and Basic Physics Laboratory
    • or
    • PHYSICS 7C-7E: Classical Physics
    • and Classical Physics
    • PHYSICS 7LC: Classical Physics Laboratory
• Select seven electives from the following (at least four must be Earth System Science courses):
  • All 4-unit upper-division EARTHSS courses except EARTHSS 114, EARTHSS 115, EARTHSS 116, and EARTHSS H198 (EARTHSS 199 or one quarter of H199A-B-C may count only once toward the elective requirement)
  • BIO SCI 93: From DNA to Organisms
  • BIO SCI 94: From Organisms to Ecosystems
  • BIO SCI 98: Biochemistry
  • BIO SCI E106: Processes in Ecology and Evolution
  • BIO SCI E120: Marine Biology
  • BIO SCI E150: Conservation Biology
  • BIO SCI E179: Limnology and Freshwater Biology
  • BIO SCI E179L: Field Freshwater Ecology
  • BIO SCI E189: Environmental Ethics
  • CHEM 51A: Organic Chemistry
  • CHEM 51B-51LB: Organic Chemistry
  • and Organic Chemistry Laboratory
  • CHEM 51C-51LC: Organic Chemistry
  • and Organic Chemistry Laboratory
  • CHEM 141: Environmental Chemistry
  • ENGRCEE 162: Introduction to Environmental Chemistry
  • ENGRCEE 171: Water Resources Engineering
  • ENGRCEE 172: Groundwater Hydrology
  • ENGRCEE 176: Hydrology
  • ENGRCEE 178: Fluid Mechanics of Open Channels
  • ENGRMAE 91: Introduction to Thermodynamics
  • ENGRMAE 130A: Fluid Dynamics I
  • ENGRMAE 164: Air Pollution and Control
  • MATH 2D: Multivariable Calculus I
  • MATH 3A: Introduction to Linear Algebra
  • MATH 3D: Elementary Differential Equations
  • MATH 105A: Numerical Analysis I
  • MATH 112A: Introduction to Partial Differential Equations and Applications I
  • MATH 115: Mathematical Modeling
  • PHYSICS 115A: Statistical Physics
  • UPPP 133: Environmental Law and Policy
  • UPPP 139: Water Resource Policy
  • UPPP 145: Environmental Governance
  • PUBHLTH 161: Environmental Geology
  • PUBHLTH 163: Introduction to Environmental Health Science
  • PUBHLTH 171: Human Exposure to Environmental Contaminants
  • PUBHLTH 173: Health and Global Environmental Change
  • Computing Skills (one of the following may be counted toward degree): EECS 10, ENGRMAE 10, I&C SCI 31, PHYSICS 53, or an approved programming course.

Optional Specializations

Three optional specializations are available: Atmospheric Science, Hydrology and Terrestrial Ecosystems, and Oceanography. The specializations require the completion of at least four courses from the following lists (three science courses plus one advanced tools course).

Specialization in Atmospheric Science

• Requirements:
  • Three courses selected from the following:
    • EARTHSS 122: Atmospheric Dynamics
    • EARTHSS 124: Weather Analysis
    • EARTHSS 142: Atmospheric Chemistry
    • EARTHSS 199: Undergraduate Research (one 4-unit course focused on atmospheric research selected from EARTHSS 199, 198, H198, H199A-H199B-H199C)
  • One advanced tools course selected from the following:
    • EARTHSS 118: Analysis, Modeling, and Visualization of Multidimensionnal Environmental Data
    • EARTHSS 134: Fundamentals of GIS for Environmental Science
    • EARTHSS 138: Satellite Remote Sensing for Earth System Science

Specialization in Hydrology and Terrestrial Ecosystems

• Requirements:
  • Three courses selected from the following:
    • EARTHSS 132: Terrestrial Hydrology
    • EARTHSS 140: Advanced Geology
    • or EARTHSS 133: Soil: It's the Good Dirt
    • EARTHSS 156: The Future of Forests
    • EARTHSS 199: Undergraduate Research (one 4-unit course focused on terrestrial research selected from EARTHSS 199, 198, H198, H199A-H199B-H199C)
  • One advanced tools course selected from the following:
    • EARTHSS 118: Analysis, Modeling, and Visualization of Multidimensionnal Environmental Data
    • EARTHSS 134: Fundamentals of GIS for Environmental Science
    • EARTHSS 138: Satellite Remote Sensing for Earth System Science

Specialization in Oceanography

• Requirements:
  • Three courses selected from the following:
    • EARTHSS 130: Physical Oceanography
    • EARTHSS 144: Marine Geochemistry and Biogeochemistry
    • EARTHSS 148: Marine Ecosystems and Global Change
    • EARTHSS 199: Undergraduate Research (one 4-unit course focused on oceanographic research selected from EARTHSS 199, 198, H198, H199A-H199B-H199C)
  • One advanced tools course selected from the following:
    • EARTHSS 118: Analysis, Modeling, and Visualization of Multidimensionnal Environmental Data
    • EARTHSS 138: Satellite Remote Sensing for Earth System Science

Concentration in Geosciences Education with Secondary Teaching Certification

This concentration allows students pursuing the B.S. in Earth System Science to earn a bachelor's degree and complete the required course work and field experience for a California Preliminary Single Subject Teaching Credential at the same time. In addition to the requirements listed above, students must complete the following courses:

• CHEM 193: Research Methods
• or PHYSICS 193: Research Methods
• EARTHSS 7: Physical Geology 1
• or EARTHSS 140: Advanced Geology
• EDUC 55: Knowing and Learning in Mathematics and Science
• EDUC 109: Reading and Writing in Mathematics and Science
• EDUC 143AW: Classroom Interactions I
• EDUC 143BW: Classroom Interactions II
• EDUC 148: Complex Pedagogical Design
• EDUC 158: Student Teaching Mathematics and Science in Middle/High School (two quarters)
• LPS 60: The Making of Modern Science
• PHY SCI 5: California Teach 1: Introduction to Science and Mathematics Teaching
• PHY SCI 105: California Teach 2: Middle School Science and Mathematics Teaching
• PHYSICS 20A: Introduction to Astronomy
• or PHYSICS 20B: Cosmology: Humanity's Place in the Universe

Sample Program Concentration in Geosciences Education with Secondary Teaching Certification

Freshman

• Fall: MATH 2A, CHEM 1A, EARTHSS 1, General Education/Elective
• Winter: MATH 2B, CHEM 1B, PHYSICS 20A, PHY SCI 5
• Spring: STATS 7, CHEM 1C, General Education/Elective, General Education/Elective

Sophomore

• Fall: EARTHSS 51, PHYSICS 3A, General Education/Elective, General Education/Elective
• Winter: EARTHSS 53, PHYSICS 3B, CHEM 1LD, General Education/Elective
• Spring: EARTHSS 55, PHYSICS 3C, General Education/Elective, General Education/Elective

Junior

• Fall: EARTHSS 114, EDUC 55, General Education/Elective, EARTHSS 192
• Winter: EARTHSS 116, EDUC 143AW, Approved Elective, ESS Elective
• Spring: ESS Elective, EDUC 109, EDUC 148, Elective

Senior

• Fall: EDUC 143BW, EDUC 158, EARTHSS 140, ESS Elective
• Winter: EDUC 158, ESS Elective, Approved Elective, ESS Elective
• Spring: ESS Elective, Approved Elective, Elective, Elective

Sample Program - Earth System Science

Freshman

• Fall: MATH 2A, CHEM 1A, EARTHSS 1, General Education/Elective
• Winter: MATH 2B, CHEM 1B, General Education/Elective, General Education/Elective
• Spring: STATS 7, CHEM 1C, General Education/Elective, General Education/Elective

Sophomore

• Fall: EARTHSS 51, PHYSICS 3A, General Education/Elective, General Education/Elective
• Winter: EARTHSS 53, PHYSICS 3B, General Education/Elective, General Education/Elective
• Spring: EARTHSS 55, PHYSICS 3C, General Education/Elective, General Education/Elective

Junior

• Fall: EARTHSS 114, EARTHSS 192, General Education/Elective, ESS Elective
• Winter: EARTHSS 116, Approved Elective, ESS Elective, Elective
• Spring: ESS Elective, General Education/Elective, Elective, Elective

Senior

• Fall: ESS Elective, ESS Elective, Approved Elective, Elective
• Winter: ESS Elective, Elective, Elective, Elective
• Spring: ESS Elective, Approved Elective, Elective, Elective

Earth System Science Honors Program

In the year-long honors course sequence, students admitted into the ESS Honors Program pursue research with faculty in the Department and prepare a written thesis of their work.

Career Opportunities

Some students go on to graduate school in physical sciences, engineering, or related areas. Others begin careers as research scientists in academic, public, or private institutions (may require a graduate-level degree). Options that may be available are scientist positions in the following roles: environmental policy and planning, environmental consulting, air quality monitoring and assessment, laboratory analysis, scientific research, science education, natural resource management, wildlife management, conservation and environmental protection, and water resource management.