Earth and Planetary Sciences - Harvard University

Earth and Planetary Sciences from Harvard University is a Campus Bachelor Geology degree that prepares you for a Science career. Harvard offers outstanding opportunities for students to pursue studies in the Earth and Planetary Sciences, a field of study that encompasses a broad range of science and technology. Understanding a complex natural system such as the Earth or another planet demands training in basic sciences and mathematics, a knowledge of the system itself, and the development of new tools and technologies, such as space probes and sophisticated new instruments, to analyze the system. The Earth 's natural systems are interconnected in ways heretofore unexpected, challenging Earth scientists to be trained as broadly as possible across the boundaries between physics, chemistry, biology, and the Earth sciences themselves. This intellectual breadth is not always possible to acquire in a "pure" science program, yet is a necessity for the study of the Earth . Hence, the department seeks to train students broadly and rigorously in the basic sciences, stressing their manifestations and interconnections in the Earth and Planetary Sciences. Students with a strong interest in a rigorous scientific education and natural curiosity about the Earth 's dynamic systems, including geology , atmospheric sciences, and oceanography, should consider concentration in the geological or geophysical sciences within the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences. Just as the Earth and Planetary Sciences are in intellectually exciting times, they are also in an unprecedented time in their importance to society. Our environment is increasingly subject to stresses placed upon it. As never before, we must understand the consequences of our activities for the Earth 's atmosphere, the oceans, the solid Earth , and the organisms that live on it. Exploring, extracting, and conserving natural resources are vital to the global political economy. We must mitigate the ill effects of earthquakes, landslides, volcanic eruptions, and severe weather by learning to predict their time and place. Students with a scientific interest in these issues will find the environmental geoscience concentration option particularly appropriate. Career opportunities in Earth and Planetary Sciences are diverse, spanning the private, government, and academic sectors. Government service includes research and administration in NASA, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Agency, the U.S. Geological Survey, the Environmental Protection Agency, and many other agencies and departments. Earth scientists work in and direct a number of oil and mineral exploration and production companies. There are abundant opportunities in the academic world. Many opportunities continue to grow for entrepreneurs who build companies specializing in resources, natural hazards, waste repositories and cleanup, and environmental impact. In addition to scientific career paths, an undergraduate degree in Earth and Planetary Sciences is an excellent background for continuing study in law, business, public administration, and medicine, and in certain fields, such as environmental law, it may be indispensable. The research environment of the department is an unparalleled resource for undergraduate education. Concentrators may work with faculty and graduate students on major research projects, as a research or field assistant, in the context of course work, or as part of an undergraduate research project. Class sizes are small and student-professor contact is frequent and informal. As a result of these contacts and regular informal afternoon teas, each graduating senior is personally acquainted with virtually every faculty member in the department. The honors program provides students with the opportunity to explore beyond the elementary level in one or more of the subspecialties of Earth and Planetary Sciences. Honors candidates are required to write a thesis, which may be based on field, laboratory, or theoretical research. View more details on Harvard University . Ask your questions and apply online for this program or find other related Geology courses.