Information and Policies
Introduction
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 UC Santa Cruz. 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: geology, environmental geology, ocean sciences, and planetary sciences. A senior comprehensive experience (senior thesis, geologic field camp, or intensive capstone course) is required of all majors.
Academic Advising for the Program
A student who wants to become an Earth sciences major should contact the Earth and Planetary Sciences Department undergraduate staff adviser, epsadvising@ucsc.edu, as soon as possible. Students will submit a declaration of major petition, and are required to meet with the undergraduate adviser to plan their program in detail. Relevant courses taken at UC Santa Cruz 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. Transfer students should consult the Transfer Information and Policy section for more detailed information about academic advising.
Getting Started in the Major
Welcome! Now that you are a registered freshman, the following information is your guide to getting started in your Earth sciences major.
All freshmen are required to complete summer orientation, for more information visit Campus Orientation Programs. As a reference, we provide an online freshmen orientation that includes everything you need to know to get started on your Earth science major. If you have already attended orientation and simply need a refresher on getting enrolled, see our Freshmen Enrollment Guide.
Students with advanced placement credit must provide Admissions an official copy of your test score. You can verify your Advanced Placement (AP) examinations credit in your MyUCSC portal. For information on how your AP credit applies to your enrollment and your major, see our advanced placement credit page. If you have taken a college-level course that you would like credit for, you must send an official transcript to Admissions. If you wish to have that same course applied toward your major requirements, send an unofficial copy of your transcripts to epsadvising@ucsc.edu.
If you have already been admitted to UC Santa Cruz as a transfer student, our transfer orientation provides instructions on how to transfer your coursework to UC Santa Cruz, the advising and support available, and how to enroll. Our online transfer orientation provides all the critical information you need to transition to UC Santa Cruz and begin your major coursework.
Program Learning Outcomes
Students graduating with a B.S. in Earth and planetary sciences (all concentrations) should be able to:
- understand the processes governing the properties and evolution of Earth's interior and surface;
- identify rocks and minerals, and describe their connection to geologic processes;
- utilize algebraic mathematical tools to quantitatively address questions in the geosciences; and
- write in a clear, organized, and logical fashion using disciplinary standards for reporting and citation.
Major Qualification Policy and Declaration Process
Major Qualification
Transfer students should consult the Transfer and Information Policy section for information about major qualification.
To qualify for the Earth sciences B.S. (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:
Transfer students may take an approved substitution for one of the above courses and should consult assist.org for equivalencies.
Appeal Process
Students who are informed that they are not eligible to declare the major may appeal by submitting a letter to the Earth and Planetary Sciences adviser within 15 days from the date the notification was sent. Within 15 days of receipt of the appeal, the department will notify the student and their affiliated college of the decision.
How to Declare a Major
Students who qualify start the declaration process by scheduling an appointment with the department staff adviser. You must consult with the department’s undergraduate staff adviser to discuss options for the degree and coursework priorities before you start the process of officially declaring your major.
Transfer Information and Policy
Transfer Admission Screening Policy
Students planning to apply in this major are not required to complete specific courses for consideration of admission to UC Santa Cruz.
The Earth and Planetary Sciences Department welcomes applications from transfer students who are prepared to enter as Earth Sciences majors. Students should reference assist.org to determine course equivalencies.
Transfer students planning to major in Earth and planetary sciences are recommended to complete equivalents to as many of the the following lower-division pre-requisite courses (including the associated laboratory components) as possible:
Plus one of the following options:
Plus all of the following courses:
| PHYS 6A | Introductory Physics I | 5 |
| PHYS 6L | Introductory Physics I Laboratory | 1 |
| PHYS 6B | Introductory Physics II | 5 |
| PHYS 6M | Introductory Physics II Laboratory | 1 |
Plus one of the following options:
Transfer students planning on attending UC Santa Cruz to pursue an Earth and Planetary Sciences major should contact the undergraduate adviser for transfer preparation information and reference assist.org to determine which courses are equivalent to these courses. Having completed as much of this coursework as possible prior to transferring allows students greater flexibility in scheduling and completing their major.
Getting Started at UCSC as a Transfer Student
Whether you are planning for your future transfer or are already admitted to UC Santa Cruz, we aim to provide our transfer students the information and support needed to successfully complete a science degree at UCSC.
Once you have submitted your intent to register at UC Santa Cruz, here is a step-by-step guide to transferring your coursework and enrolling:
- Confirm you are a proposed Earth sciences major. If you are not sure of your status, log on to your MyUCSC portal to view your proposed major. If your major is proposed Earth sciences you are all set. If the proposed major listed is not Earth Sciences, you will need to meet with the adviser for Earth Sciences.
- Once your courses have been articulated, you will receive an email from our office. This email will include information on how your coursework articulated, suggestions for Fall enrollment, and invite you to make an appointment to talk with your major adviser.
- Make an appointment to talk to an adviser. Your confirmation email will include instructions for scheduling an advising appointment. Appointments are available either by phone or in person.
- Participate in Transfer Orientation and Welcome Week. Transfer Orientation provides instructions on how to transfer your coursework to UCSC, the advising and support available, and how to enroll. Our online transfer orientation provides all the critical information you need to transition to UCSC and begin your major coursework.
The department also hosts a transfer student welcome in the fall that provides new transfer students an opportunity to meet other transfer students, familiarize themselves with the campus and the available resources. Welcome Week includes presentations on the Earth sciences majors, including an overview of the field courses offered and an introduction on how to get involved in undergraduate research.
- Declaring the Earth Sciences major. In order to declare the Earth sciences major transfer students must complete EART 5, or EART 10 or EART 20 or an approved equivalent course (with a C or better) and meet with the Earth and Planetary Sciences Department adviser by the declaration deadline.
Letter Grade Policy
All courses used to satisfy requirements for any of the Earth and planetary science majors must be taken for a letter grade with the exception of the following courses, which may be taken Pass/No Pass: EART 195 Senior Thesis, EART 198 Internship, EART 199 Tutorial. Combined majors (Earth sciences/anthropology and Earth sciences/environmental studies) are currently exempt from this policy.
Course Substitution Policy
Relevant courses taken at UC Santa Cruz 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.
Honors
Honors in the major (all concentrations) and in the combined major with anthropology 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 major with environmental studies are evaluated by the Environmental Studies Department. 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.
Standard Earth Sciences Major
Course Requirements
Lower-Division Courses
All of the following courses:
Plus one of the following options:
Plus one of the following courses:
| MATH 22 | Introduction to Calculus of Several Variables | 5 |
| MATH 23A | Vector Calculus | 5 |
| EART 111 | Mathematics in the Earth Sciences | 5 |
| EART 119 | Introductory Computer Programming for Geoscientists | 5 |
| EART 125 | Statistics and Data Analysis in the Geosciences | 5 |
Students that have completed a prior course in programming or statistics may petition for equivalency.
Plus all of the following courses:
| PHYS 6A | Introductory Physics I | 5 |
| PHYS 6L | Introductory Physics I Laboratory | 1 |
| PHYS 6B | Introductory Physics II | 5 |
| PHYS 6M | Introductory Physics II Laboratory | 1 |
Plus one of the following options:
Upper-Division Courses
All of the following courses:
Two field/laboratory/data analysis
Lecture/lab combinations count as one course. The following courses satisfy this requirement:
Courses used to satisfy the senior comprehensive requirement cannot be used to satisfy this requirement.
Electives
At least four additional upper-division elective courses from Earth sciences or ocean sciences offerings must be completed. 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.
EART 196B and EART 198 may not be used to satisfy this requirement.
No more than one quarter of EART 199 may be used to satisfy this requirement.
Lecture/lab combinations count as one course.
Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement
Students of every major must satisfy that major’s upper-division disciplinary communication (DC) general education requirement. Students in the Earth Sciences B.S. major must complete a minimum of two (2) courses from the list of courses that in combination satisfies the DC 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:
Comprehensive Requirement
All students must satisfy the senior comprehensive requirement. 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 EART 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.
Note: Courses used to satisfy the senior comprehensive requirement cannot be used to satisfy the upper-division elective requirement or the field/laboratory/data analysis requirement.
To satisfy the comprehensive requirement, each student in these majors must complete one of the following options:
Satisfactory completion of Summer Field
| EART 189A | Geographic Information Systems with Applications in Earth Sciences | 5 |
| EART 189B | Summer Field Study | 5 |
Satisfactory completion of a senior thesis
A senior thesis 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. It is recommended that students allocate three quarters for the thesis process.
Students may take EART 199, Independent Study, as part of performing the research for their senior thesis. It is required that each student enroll in and pass EART 195: Senior Thesis, in the academic quarter during which they complete their thesis.
Satisfactory completion of one of the following capstone course offerings:
Capstone course offerings vary year to year. If you are interested in completing a capstone course please contact the Earth sciences adviser.
Other Options
Other options such as external field research experiences or internships may be suitable by permission of the faculty adviser.
Please meet with an adviser if you have an idea to propose.
Planners
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.
Sample Four-Year Planner
In addition to the specific courses shown in these planners, a student must complete courses satisfying the CC, ER, IM, SR, and TA general education requirements.
*Students who wish to complete their capstone with EART 189A and EART 189B should be aware that the following courses are prerequisites: EART 109 and EART 109L, EART 110A and EART 110L, and EART 110B and EART 110M. Students must also complete EART 189B in summer to fulfill the summer field capstone.
†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.
Sample Transfer (Two-Year) Planner
This planner assumes that students have completed all lower-division requirements, other than PHYS 6A and PHYS 6L, PHYS 6B and PHYS 6M, and advanced math.
*Students who wish to complete their capstone with EART 189A and EART 189B should be aware that the following courses are prerequisites: EART 109 and EART 109L, EART 110A and EART 110L, and EART 110B and EART 110M. Students must also complete EART 189B in summer to fulfill the summer field capstone.
†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.
Geology Concentration
Course Requirements
Lower-Division Courses
All of the following courses:
Plus one of the following options:
Plus all of the following courses:
| PHYS 6A | Introductory Physics I | 5 |
| PHYS 6L | Introductory Physics I Laboratory | 1 |
| PHYS 6B | Introductory Physics II | 5 |
| PHYS 6M | Introductory Physics II Laboratory | 1 |
Plus one of the following options:
Upper-Division Courses
All of the following courses:
Geology Elective: One of the following:
Where the lab course follows a lecture course the pair of courses counts as a single course.
Electives
At least two additional upper-division elective courses (5+ credits each) from Earth sciences or ocean sciences offerings must be completed. 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.
EART 196B and EART 198 may not be used to satisfy this requirement.
No more than one quarter of EART 199 may be used to satisfy this requirement.
Lecture/lab combinations count as one course.
Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement
Students of every major must satisfy that major’s upper-division disciplinary communication (DC) general education requirement. Students in the Earth Sciences B.S. major must complete a minimum of two (2) courses from the list of courses that in combination satisfies the DC 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:
Comprehensive Requirement
All students must satisfy the senior comprehensive requirement.
The intent of this requirement is to synthesize knowledge and skills from a student’s undergraduate career and to provide the instructional hours in the field needed to prepare students for the California professional geologist licensing requirements. Therefore, prior to completing an activity to satisfy the senior comprehensive requirement, students should have already completed EART 110A, one of EART 110B or EART 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.
Note: Courses used to satisfy the senior comprehensive requirement cannot also be used to fulfill the upper-division elective requirement.
To do so, each student in the geology concentration must complete:
Satisfactory completion of Summer Field
| EART 189A | Geographic Information Systems with Applications in Earth Sciences | 5 |
| EART 189B | Summer Field Study | 5 |
Planners
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.
Sample Four-Year Planner
* Students must also complete EART 189B in summer to fulfill the summer field capstone.
Sample Two-Year Planner
This planner assumes that students have completed all lower-division requirements other PHYS 6A and PHYS 6L, PHYS 6B and PHYS 6M, and advanced math.
*Students must also complete EART 189B in summer to fulfill the summer field capstone.
Planetary Sciences Concentration
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.
Course Requirements
Lower-Division Courses
Choose one of the following options:
Plus all of the following courses:
Plus one of the following options:
Plus one of the following courses:
| MATH 22 | Introduction to Calculus of Several Variables | 5 |
| MATH 23A | Vector Calculus | 5 |
| EART 111 | Mathematics in the Earth Sciences | 5 |
Upper-Division Courses
All of the following courses:
Plus one of the following:
One elective from the following planetary science courses:
Electives
At least three electives from upper-division Earth sciences, ocean sciences, astronomy, or mathematics must be completed. 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.
EART 196B and EART 198 may not be used to satisfy this requirement.
No more than one quarter of EART 199 may be used to satisfy this requirement.
Lecture/lab combinations count as one course.
Choosing from the following list is recommended, but not mandatory.
Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement
Students of every major must satisfy that major’s upper-division disciplinary communication (DC) general education requirement. Students in the Earth Sciences B.S. major must complete a minimum of two (2) courses from the list of courses that in combination satisfies the DC 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:
Comprehensive Requirement
All students must satisfy the senior comprehensive requirement. 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 EART 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.
Note: Courses used to satisfy the senior comprehensive requirement cannot also be used to fulfill the upper-division elective requirement.
To satisfy the comprehensive requirement, each student in these majors must complete one of the following options:
Satisfactory completion of Summer Field
| EART 189A | Geographic Information Systems with Applications in Earth Sciences | 5 |
| EART 189B | Summer Field Study | 5 |
Satisfactory completion of a senior thesis
A senior thesis 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. It is recommended that students allocate three quarters for the thesis process.
Students may take EART 199: Independent Study, as part of performing the research for their senior thesis. It is required that each student enroll in and pass EART 195: Senior Thesis, in the academic quarter during which they complete their thesis.
Satisfactory completion of one of the following capstone course offerings:
Capstone course offerings vary year to year. If you are interested in completing a capstone course please contact the Earth sciences adviser.
Other options
Other options such as external field research experiences or internships may be suitable by permission of the faculty adviser.
Please meet with an adviser if you have an idea to propose.
Planners
Sample Four-Year Planner
*Students who wish to complete their capstone with EART 189A and EART 189B should be aware that the following courses are prerequisites: EART 109 and EART 109L, EART 110A and EART 110L, and EART 110B and EART 110M. Students must also complete EART 189B in summer to fulfill the summer field capstone.
† 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.
Sample Two-Year Planner
This planner assumes that students have completed all lower-division requirements other than PHYS 6A and PHYS 6L, PHYS 6B and PHYS 6M, and advanced math.
*Students who wish to complete their capstone with EART 189A and EART 189B should be aware that the following courses are prerequisites: EART 109 and EART 109L, EART 110A and EART 110L, and EART 110B and EART 110M. Students must also complete EART 189B in summer to fulfill the summer field capstone.
†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.
Ocean Sciences Concentration
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.
Course Requirements
Lower-Division Courses
Choose one of the following options:
Plus all of the following courses:
Where the lab course follows a lecture course the pair of courses counts as a single course.
Plus one of the following options:
Plus one of the following courses:
| MATH 22 | Introduction to Calculus of Several Variables | 5 |
| MATH 23A | Vector Calculus | 5 |
| EART 111 | Mathematics in the Earth Sciences | 5 |
Upper-Division Courses
All of the following courses:
Plus one of the following courses:
| OCEA 101 | The Marine Environment | 5 |
| OCEA 102 | Oceans and Climate: Past, Present, and Future | 5 |
Electives
At least four elective courses from upper-division Earth sciences or ocean sciences offerings must be completed. 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.
EART 196B and EART 198 may not be used to satisfy this requirement.
No more than one quarter of EART 199 may be used to satisfy this requirement.
Lecture/lab combinations count as one course.
Choosing from the following list is recommended, but not mandatory:
Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement
Students of every major must satisfy that major’s upper-division disciplinary communication (DC) general education requirement. Students in the Earth Sciences B.S. major must complete a minimum of two (2) courses from the list of courses that in combination satisfies the DC 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:
Comprehensive Requirement
All students must satisfy the senior comprehensive requirement. 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 EART 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.
Note: Courses used to satisfy the senior comprehensive requirement cannot also be used to fulfill the upper-division elective requirement.
To satisfy the comprehensive requirement, each student in these majors must complete one of the following options:
Satisfactory completeion of Summer Field
| EART 189A | Geographic Information Systems with Applications in Earth Sciences | 5 |
| EART 189B | Summer Field Study | 5 |
Satisfactory completion of a senior thesis
A senior thesis 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. It is recommended that students allocate three quarters for the thesis process.
Students may take EART 199: Independent Study, as part of performing the research for their senior thesis. It is required that each student enroll in and pass EART 195: Senior Thesis, in the academic quarter during which they complete their thesis.
Satisfactory completion of one of the following capstone course offerings:
Capstone course offerings vary year to year. If you are interested in completing a capstone course please contact the Earth sciences adviser.
Other options
Other options such as external field research experiences or internships may be suitable by permission of the faculty adviser.
Please meet with an adviser if you have an idea to propose.
Planners
Sample Four-Year Planner
*Students who wish to complete their capstone with EART 189A and EART 189B should be aware that the following courses are prerequisites: EART 109 and EART 109L, EART 110A and EART 110L, and EART 110B and EART 110M. Students must also complete EART 189B in summer to fulfill the summer field capstone.
† 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.
Sample Two-Year Planner
This planner assumes that students have completed all lower-division requirements other PHYS 6A and PHYS 6L, PHYS 6B and PHYS 6M, and advanced math.
*Students who wish to complete their capstone with EART 189A and EART 189B should be aware that the following courses are prerequisites: EART 109 and EART 109L, EART 110A and EART 110L, and EART 110B and EART 110M. Students must also complete EART 189B in summer to fulfill the summer field capstone.
†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.