What are Earth & Planetary Sciences?

Earth Sciences
Earth sciences focus on understanding the global systems that shape our planet.

• Central to these systems is plate tectonics, the process by which new oceanic crust is generated and old crust is destroyed. Continents are built as a by-product of this process.
• The hydrologic cycle is another global-scale system and involves the transport of water and other materials among the atmosphere, land, and ocean reservoirs.
• Earth is also increasingly viewed as a planet with limited resources, such as fossil fuels and soils, and one that can be significantly modified by mankind. For example, burning fossil fuels such as coal and oil introduces carbon dioxide into the environment, and consequent greenhouse processes may raise Earth’s average surface temperature over the next couple of decades. An increase of only a very few degrees celsius would trigger substantial changes in climate and sea level.

Planetary Sciences
Planetary sciences focus on the study of the origin and evolution of solar system objects.

• The global view of Earth has been driven in part by spaceborne exploration of Earth’s companions, especially the Moon, Mars, Venus, and Jupiter and its icy moons.
• Current work includes isolating and studying star dust particles in meteorites, testing the hypothesis that plate tectonics occur on Venus, understanding the ancient climates and biologic potential of Mars, examining volcanic action and underground oceans of outer planet satellites and determining the structure of Pluto and the icy worlds beyond.

Why Major in Earth & Planetary Sciences?

Discover New Insights into Earth’s Global Systems
For example, your insights and understanding of such geophysical phenomena as the seismic waves from earthquakes might further our ability to someday predict major shifts in Earth’s tectonic plates, thus saving the lives of thousands of people. Your understanding of this process of plate collisions and the resulting creation of mountains could help in the discovery of new reserves of minerals, ores, and petroleum.

A Chance to Preserve Life and our Natural Resources
Your understanding of Earth’s global systems may help to curtail the harmful effects of human activity upon the environment. The result would be to preserve better natural resources and global ecologies for the generations to come. Currently we live in societies that both consume what we believe to be limited energy sources and, at the same time, pollute the atmosphere to such a degree that major changes in our climate have been predicted. We need creative people to help change the course of events and to better understand the changes that may take place.

You Can Do a Lot With a Major in Earth & Planetary Sciences
In addition to pursuing graduate studies, medicine, law, or business, you can choose to proceed directly into private, industrial, or governmental positions that are vital to our survival. You might work in labs, in the outdoors, a combination of both, or behind a desk. Here are examples of some professions toward which you could apply your major in Earth & Planetary Sciences:

• Economic geologist
• Environmental consultant
• Environmental lawyer
• GIS specialist
• Government scientist:
• United States Geological Survey
• Environmental Protection Agency
• Fish and Wildlife Service
• Forestry Service
• NASA
• National Park Service
• Mining geologist
• Petroleum geologist
• Pollution remediator
• Planetary scientist
• Remote sensing analyst
• Science journalism
• Urban planning

Earth & Planetary Sciences at Washington University

Our department provides a unique opportunity for study in the planetary sciences. We are the Geosciences Node of the NASA Planetary Data System, where much of the information from past planetary missions is archived and managed.

We are one of a few departments in the country with an integrated program of instruction and research that treats Earth as a planet and makes direct use of knowledge gained by exploring the solar system.

Your teachers (and perhaps you) travel around the world from Antarctica to Greenland, and from the Red Sea to the Mojave Desert. They bring back lessons about the Earth into the classroom, keeping courses interesting and at the cutting edge of their subjects.

The Major
Course Requirements and Flexibility
Your curriculum will provide you with a strong foundation. You will take courses in chemistry, physics, and mathematics, plus three department core courses: Earth and the Environment, Earth Materials, and Earth Forces. You then select a minimum of five department courses from a selection of over 20 to complete your major. These courses fall into three general concentrations, described below:

• Geology
• Geochemistry
• Geophysics

You will also participate in a research seminar, learning current methods and techniques for research, and in a six-week geology field course to give you hands-on experience. Your faculty advisor can help you make the right decisions based on your personal talents and interests. A Senior Honors Program is available and is highly recommended if you plan to continue your studies on a graduate level.

The Minor
To minor in Earth & Planetary Sciences you must complete at least 16 units, including introductory courses covering physical and environmental geology, with at least nine units chosen from advanced courses.

Undergraduate Major Focus Areas

Geology
A geology concentration gives you the chance to study the factors that shape the surface of the Earth, building up mountains from below and tearing them down through erosion. Courses are chosen to provide a fundamental understanding of the geochemistry, geophysics, and structure of the Earth and solar system, which is enhanced by direct observations made in the field. Areas of specialization include:

• Origin and Evolution of Earth’s Continents
• Hydrogeology
• Paleoenvironmental Reconstructions
• Surface Processes

Geochemistry
You will learn about chemical processes on the Earth and on other planets, the Moon, meteorites, and in space. Topics range from early solar system history, to near-surface phenomena, water-rock interactions, environmental issues, and atmospheric reactions. This concentration incorporates a study of groundwater hydrology, isotope systematics, thermodynamics, and phase equilibria. Areas of specialization include:

• Planetary Geochemistry
• Environmental and Aqueous Geochemistry
• Groundwater Contamination
• Radiogenic and Stable Isotope Geochemistry

Geophysics
Geophysical phenomena such as the seismic waves from earthquakes, the geomagnetic field, and variations in the force of gravity are studied in this track. You will learn about the geodynamic earth-shaping processes of plate tectonics and mantle convection, as well as understanding of the resulting natural hazards such as earthquakes and volcanoes. Areas of specialization include:

• Seismology
• Structure and Evolution of Planetary Interiors
• Terrestrial Magnetic Field
• Environmental Geophysics

Geobiology
You will learn about the emergence of life on Earth; the evolution of life through time; the habitability of extraterrestrial planets; the global cycling of carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, and other “volatile” elements; the fossil record in rocks; the interaction of humans with their environment in prehistory; and the anthropogenic effects on our natural resources. Areas of specialization include:

• Biogeochemistry
• Paleontology
• Geoarchaeology
• Astrobiology
• Microbes and the Environment

Planetary Geology
If you are interested in space and its exploration, this is the place to be. We are a part of the McDonnell Center for the Space Sciences, a Washington University-based interdisciplinary affiliation of many world-renowned researchers who focus on the composition and dynamics of the universe. Our center plays an important role in NASA space missions—for example, the Mars Exploration Rovers and the analysis of rocks brought back from the Moon. You will be able to learn firsthand the many interesting ways of remotely sensing a planet’s surface using satellites, whether the planet being studied is Earth, Venus, Mars, or some other. Areas of specialization include:

• Atmosphere—Surface Interactions
• Meteorite Impact Cratering
• Planetary Evolution
• Planetary Structure
• Planetary Surfaces
• Remote Sensing

Perform Original Research
You will work with faculty in the laboratory to conduct many of your own studies and you also may gather data in the field. Many students participate actively in cutting-edge research using advanced lab equipment and powerful computing systems. Many undergraduate students have co-authored published scientific papers.

You will also learn hands-on geology through visits to unusual geological structures in the local Midwest and in the West. Summer internships are also available. Recent field studies in which undergraduate students have participated have involved expeditions to Antarctica, Tonga and Fiji, Madagascar, the Galapagos, and Greenland.

Examples of Recent Undergraduate Research

• IR Spectroscopy
• Mapping Deep Seismic Waves
• Aqueous Geochemistry of Yellowstone
• Studying the Impact of Lead Pollution on Missouri
• Investigating Environmental Wetlands Restoration
• Participating in Mars Exploration Rovers Mission
• Isolating and Characterizing Novel Microbes

For additional information, contact:

Professor Jennifer Smith
Earth & Planetary Sciences
Washington University
Campus Box 1169
One Brookings Drive
St. Louis, MO 63130-4899
Phone: (314) 935-5610
Fax: (314) 935-7361
Email: dept@epsc.wustl.edu
Website: http://eps.wustl.edu/