Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

Programs and Objectives

The Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences offers a unique version of the Earth System Science (ESS) model, the proposed national curriculum for the earth sciences. The ESS approach has been adopted by NASA and other government agencies as the appropriate method for understanding and modeling the complexities of the earth system. By understanding the relationships that sustain the earth's oceans and atmosphere we can better develop methods for phrasing and solving environmental problems. EAS/ESS emphasizes a curriculum that deals with the geochemical and geophysical relationships that produce an environmentally sound and self-perpetuating world.

This new approach attempts to be as multi-disciplinary as possible, allowing students to choose electives from other science departments, as well as Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. The special strengths of the department include hydrology/subsurface remediation, geophysics and environmental geophysics, meteorology and remote sensing, and environmental geochemistry. Students graduating from EAS with the system science training are especially able to include geological/GIS mapping and remote sensing in their portfolio of skills. These and related skills are especially valuable to engineering geology companies, government agencies, such as NASA and NOAA, and a multitude of areas that involve spatial planning. By careful selection of electives, students can be equally well prepared for careers ranging from Classical Geology to Environmental Public Policy, and Terrestrial Ecology. Majors are also ideally prepared to pursue careers in education and advanced degrees in the Earth Sciences.